eugkim

I don't know if it's just me, but it seems that all the older cars develop a musty type smell. Even the cars that have undergone extensive detailing at a local, high-end used car dealer smell the same. Is this from the carpet? Has anyone ever found something to eliminate it?

Marine Blue

I've tried posting on this in the past but no one really took interest. Here are a few reasons I can think of for the musty smell:

1. Storing a car over the winter in a damper climate (northeast) can cause condensation inside the car leading to the musty smell you get. The condensation is due to higher humidity in the garage and the cooler temps.

2. Another cause for the musty smell is a cabin leak which often occurs in the rear hatch area. Water gets in behind the tailights due to a failed seal or from around the hatch seal. This doesn't get noticed since most of us aren't prodding around in the hatch underneath the carpet.

3. A/C drainage not working properly and allowing condensation buildup and drip into the car (under dash).

Moisture leads to mold and most if it is probably in the carpeting and maybe some in the seats. My last car had a strong musty smell which really took that new feel away from it. My current car doesn't have the smell and I intend to keep it that way by using a dessicant during the winter and making sure the car's A/C functions properly and the cabin doesn't leak. Here's a link to the dessicant I'm buying: http://www.drierite.com/catalog3/pag...?img_scale=200

soupcan

I was close to buy a 968 a couple months ago and the deal breaker was the smell. The owner was using about six air fresheners to try and cover-up the musty smell, didn't work. Shame was it was exactly what I wanted but, I didn't care to chase the mold that was somewhere in that car.

marton

Mine had that smell but when my wife was out I ran all the carpets and the stuff under them through the wash machine, took several loads.
Smelt fine after that & still does.

Marton

soupcan

I did something similar once. I used the oven to bake dry some heat paint when my wife was out of town. When she returned days later I was met with "What did you do to MY oven?", oops.

Charley B

If a thourough cleansing of the carpet and padding doesn't do it it might be time to get into the air box in front of the firewall and clean it out. There can be quite a soggy mess accumulated in there and constantly blowing into the cabin whenever the center vent is open.

cold_beer839

Eugene,

I think that S4 just needs to be driven. It has been sleeping too long and has morning breath.

Mine smells after sitting for a few days with the windows up. Leaking hatch has alot to do with it on mine. The next time you wash the car, look inside at the top seam of the hatch and see if it is dripping water. That means your hatch hinges need to be resealed.

James-man

Mine had a musty smell when the AC was on for the first 3 or 4 years (I bought a 9 yr old car). Never dampness in the interior carpeting.

Thankfully the AC still works and the mustiness no longer, um, musts?.

Tom. M

Like someone mentioned, check the passenger side floor for water getting in from the blower area. My 82 track car also had a funky smell..not moldy but odd smelling...ended up being the insulation near the clutch master (drivers side clutch pedal area). I pulled out the padding and insulation and it was saturated with years of brake fluid leaking down there.... I think yours is a 5sp right?...might be worth a peek...