musty odor

[fishinjim]

I recently acquired a 2005 Ford Explorer Limited. Low miles, 31k, as new condition.

Problem is, when I drive it and lower the passenger front window, I get a musty odor. If I roll the window up, the odor goes away. Since it is a 2005, the Ford warranty expired, and the dealer I purchased it from claims they weren't aware of the issue. There are no rust indications on the door (that I can see).

I do have the carfax report - it reports 'clean' and 'no issues'.

Any ideas before I take it in to the dealer to have a look at?

Thanks.

Jim

 

[Curtis]

Not driving past a water treatment plant are you?
Seriously though.. .. is the AC/Heater on? Maybe putting down that window just moves the air towards you.

There is this foamy stuff you can get that you spray into the drain of the AC evaporator box.. The drain is outside the firewall on the bottom.. The foam expands everywhere and cleans as it goes away leaving a nice fresh scent from the AC vents.

 

[fishinjim]

the odor is not coming from the ac vents. I can close the window, turn on the ac and I don't have the odor problem.

I'll look into the foam stuff, though. I haven't heard of the product but sounds interesting.

thanks.

Jim

 

[High_Order1]

well -

this might be out there, but I had a problem once. Turned out water was filling up in all my doors, b/c these little black doodads were clogged up. Maybe you got water in there, and it mildewed, and when you roll it down, it stinks. Or worse, a mouse got in there.

Go roll the window all the way down, stick your nose on the rubber gap, and smell. At least you'll have narrowed it down.

-Shawn

 

[Curtis]

well -

this might be out there, but I had a problem once. Turned out water was filling up in all my doors, b/c these little black doodads were clogged up. Maybe you got water in there, and it mildewed, and when you roll it down, it stinks. Or worse, a mouse got in there.

Go roll the window all the way down, stick your nose on the rubber gap, and smell. At least you'll have narrowed it down.

-Shawn

Good idea