I am one dirty kid

kford · 05-16-2004, 07:53 PM

Why does my car always smell kind of gross in the summer when it rains? I know nothing is getting wet (no leaks in floorboard, weatherstripping, etc.), but when it rains and is warm, I'll get in my car and it will smell pretty gross. I febreze and vacuum reguarly, and there' nothing in there that will make it stink. No cardboard or food or anything like that. no pets ever go in there.

Does anyone have any general upholstry cleaning tips other than vacuuming and febreze?

Thanks

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Figit090 · 05-16-2004, 08:00 PM

MELDEUUU or...meldw or whatever...lol

maybe you have some fungus growing somewhere and somthing DID get wet...or there is a hidden morsel of food rotting somewhere that cooks and gives off an unpleasant smell when it heats up...or... maybe you have a pet that cant control it's bladder during the rany season because of all the water pouring down around the poor thing?? dunno...those are my very...very probably never going to be correct guesses :p

UNR.Grad · 05-16-2004, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kford

Why does my car always smell kind of gross in the summer when it rains? I know nothing is getting wet (no leaks in floorboard, weatherstripping, etc.), but when it rains and is warm, I'll get in my car and it will smell pretty gross. I febreze and vacuum reguarly, and there' nothing in there that will make it stink. No cardboard or food or anything like that. no pets ever go in there.

Does anyone have any general upholstry cleaning tips other than vacuuming and febreze?

Thanks

Check to see if its coming from teh vents, if it I have some tips for you.

bike4miles · 05-16-2004, 11:28 PM

I have herd of nasty stuff growing in you AC system. Shut off the AC a few miles before you stop to allow the system to air dry in order to prevent this. Not sure if that's your problem though.

96LtdYota · 05-16-2004, 11:37 PM

I recently found mold growing on my sunroof visor-cover-shield-sliding thingy.... it happened because I used to drive in the rain with my sunroof vent cracked open and the moisture never was removed.... a hot iron and a blow dryer fixed this.... if I were you, I would smell the sunroof visor-cover-shield-sliding thingy to make sure its not the cause of the smell. It made my car smell like wet shoes.

4Runner 4Play · 05-17-2004, 01:05 AM

Maybe its a gas problem? lol ... no not that kind, but crappy gas?

4Runner 4Play · 05-17-2004, 09:31 AM

What I meant to say was at one point in time (summer I think) when I had a Pontiac grand am, I filled up with apparently crappy gas and it just reeked.

kinda like road kill. But another thought... have u checked the bottom of your doorsills to see if there plugged up with dirt maybe smelly mud and such? just a thought... hope it helps.

shazaam · 05-17-2004, 01:48 PM

Raise your left arm .. take a big whiff .. If it smells bad, take a shower and get some deodrant. ...

Grim13 · 05-17-2004, 02:09 PM

My 4Runner had 2 miles when I bought it new and it stunk from day 1. There are couple of different types of stench that car has. One that comes in from the vent (not much you can do, but air it out. Other is the untracable ass smell that linger in your car. That's a mixture of your B.O. from your sweaty back saturating the seat, and water, soda and other crap spilling on your seats and carpet throughout the years rotten away. Basically, the stench is deeply embedded into your upolstery. You need.. WE all need to get our soap and sponges and scrub the crap out of our carpets and seats then dry it out in the hot scorching sun. Then get Ozium (I think that's the way you spell it) and spray it regularly when you you're not going to be driving it for a period of time. That stuff is strongest crap I know for car odor.

Erich_870 · 05-17-2004, 03:17 PM

Have you looked in the vents on the outside by your windshield wipers? I parked my rig under a tree in my front yard that was dropping these small yellow seed packets and for the next week the would shoot out of my vents like confetii

Maybe you have some leaves and stuff that are hung up and they are breaking down over time? I handn't even considered that those vents are where my fresh air comes from, so it could be something either leaking in from there or stuck in there and rotting.

Erich

garborr · 05-17-2004, 03:32 PM

maybe it was caused by a valet with extremly bad BO. I don't think anyone can get that out.

gapguy · 05-17-2004, 04:32 PM

My runner has a nasty smell like that too. It's only done it since the alarm place didn't plug the gromet in the firewall and EVERYTHING flooded with smelly ass water.

I've steam cleaned/extracted the carpet three times, and I still get that smell every now and then. I'm beginning to think I want new carpet. My A/C smell has gone away over time now tho.

Shampoo, shampoo, shampoo!

Even the smallest amount of water from your shoes will track down into the doorsills and mildew.

It's kinda funny that both of our trucks have a smell, and both of them have that WEIRD noise when backing up under a heavy load!

kford · 05-17-2004, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gapguy

My runner has a nasty smell like that too. It's only done it since the alarm place didn't plug the gromet in the firewall and EVERYTHING flooded with smelly ass water.

I've steam cleaned/extracted the carpet three times, and I still get that smell every now and then. I'm beginning to think I want new carpet. My A/C smell has gone away over time now tho.

Shampoo, shampoo, shampoo!

Even the smallest amount of water from your shoes will track down into the doorsills and mildew.

It's kinda funny that both of our trucks have a smell, and both of them have that WEIRD noise when backing up under a heavy load!

That is weird.

Anyway I'll check the vents, otherwise I guess I'll shampoo EVERYTHING with some heavy duty stuff this weekend. It's not really that bad, it is just gross when you first open it. after that it's fine.

AKennedy87 · 05-17-2004, 07:28 PM

Saturday night i was in a movie and came out to rain. I had my top and sunroof off, im pretty much guaranteed to have your problems. haha what can ya do O well

Figit090 · 05-17-2004, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKennedy87

Saturday night i was in a movie and came out to rain. I had my top and sunroof off, im pretty much guaranteed to have your problems. haha what can ya do O well

That sucks... what did you have to do when you got the truck home?? like how did you get it dry.... just let it sit, blow dryer, sun....?? just incase somthing like that happens to me i'd like to know what to do

Scofco · 05-17-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garborr

maybe it was caused by a valet with extremly bad BO. I don't think anyone can get that out.

If that was meant as a Seinfeld reference, I salute you.

gapguy · 05-17-2004, 10:09 PM

I would suggest RENTING a commerical upholstery shampooer. They work great, and only cost about $30 a day. Then you can do everything and leave behind a nice pretty smell of soap!

05-16-2004, 08:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Figit090 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 401	MELDEUUU or...meldw or whatever...lol maybe you have some fungus growing somewhere and somthing DID get wet...or there is a hidden morsel of food rotting somewhere that cooks and gives off an unpleasant smell when it heats up...or... maybe you have a pet that cant control it's bladder during the rany season because of all the water pouring down around the poor thing?? dunno...those are my very...very probably never going to be correct guesses :p __________________ <<Figit090>>I'm looking for a MR2 near my location, if you have one to sell PM me! For now i'm driving my 1986.5 Supra which is pretty nice as well

05-16-2004, 11:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
bike4miles Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,402	I have herd of nasty stuff growing in you AC system. Shut off the AC a few miles before you stop to allow the system to air dry in order to prevent this. Not sure if that's your problem though. __________________ --Miles Sold '91 4runner, 22re, 5 spd manual, 180,000 miles, cone filter, Downey 1.5"HD coils, SkyJacker Nitrogens, Magnaflow Exhaust, Stull grill, Clears all around. Check out my sound proofing project and other mods: My 4runner page My 2006 Camry page I'm a Myspace Addict!

05-16-2004, 11:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
96LtdYota Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, Al... ROLL TIDE!!! Posts: 1,555	I recently found mold growing on my sunroof visor-cover-shield-sliding thingy.... it happened because I used to drive in the rain with my sunroof vent cracked open and the moisture never was removed.... a hot iron and a blow dryer fixed this.... if I were you, I would smell the sunroof visor-cover-shield-sliding thingy to make sure its not the cause of the smell. It made my car smell like wet shoes. __________________ Beaux Its injured...

05-17-2004, 01:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
4Runner 4Play Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cloverdale, B.C., Canada Posts: 181	Maybe its a gas problem? lol ... no not that kind, but crappy gas? __________________ '93 4Runner, 31'' BFG Muds, K-N Drop-In, Custom 2.25'' Exhaust, Flowmaster 40 series, Deckplate Mod, No Sway-bars Mod, OME Steering Stabilizer, Ome M72F Frt Shocks, SDORI 2" B.J. Spacers, OME 901 H.D. Coils, OME N98 Rr Shocks Backroads Mapbook =$25.00 BFG Mudders =$450.00 1 Big bag of sunshine =$180.00 Staying on the trail for 5 days with your closest buddies all driving Toyota's =Priceless

05-17-2004, 09:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
4Runner 4Play Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cloverdale, B.C., Canada Posts: 181	What I meant to say was at one point in time (summer I think) when I had a Pontiac grand am, I filled up with apparently crappy gas and it just reeked. kinda like road kill. But another thought... have u checked the bottom of your doorsills to see if there plugged up with dirt maybe smelly mud and such? just a thought... hope it helps. __________________ '93 4Runner, 31'' BFG Muds, K-N Drop-In, Custom 2.25'' Exhaust, Flowmaster 40 series, Deckplate Mod, No Sway-bars Mod, OME Steering Stabilizer, Ome M72F Frt Shocks, SDORI 2" B.J. Spacers, OME 901 H.D. Coils, OME N98 Rr Shocks Backroads Mapbook =$25.00 BFG Mudders =$450.00 1 Big bag of sunshine =$180.00 Staying on the trail for 5 days with your closest buddies all driving Toyota's =Priceless

05-17-2004, 01:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
shazaam Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,057	Raise your left arm .. take a big whiff .. If it smells bad, take a shower and get some deodrant. ... __________________ Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, and the lesson afterwards. <-- the artist formerly known as sdastg1

05-17-2004, 02:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
Grim13 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 25	My 4Runner had 2 miles when I bought it new and it stunk from day 1. There are couple of different types of stench that car has. One that comes in from the vent (not much you can do, but air it out. Other is the untracable ass smell that linger in your car. That's a mixture of your B.O. from your sweaty back saturating the seat, and water, soda and other crap spilling on your seats and carpet throughout the years rotten away. Basically, the stench is deeply embedded into your upolstery. You need.. WE all need to get our soap and sponges and scrub the crap out of our carpets and seats then dry it out in the hot scorching sun. Then get Ozium (I think that's the way you spell it) and spray it regularly when you you're not going to be driving it for a period of time. That stuff is strongest crap I know for car odor. __________________ '99 4Runner SR5 4x4 v6 Bone Stock

05-17-2004, 03:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Erich_870 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 973	Have you looked in the vents on the outside by your windshield wipers? I parked my rig under a tree in my front yard that was dropping these small yellow seed packets and for the next week the would shoot out of my vents like confetii Maybe you have some leaves and stuff that are hung up and they are breaking down over time? I handn't even considered that those vents are where my fresh air comes from, so it could be something either leaking in from there or stuck in there and rotting. Erich __________________ 99' Black Highlander 4runner / Garage Profile Black powder coated 8x16 Wheeler Off-Road allow wheels / Husky floor liners / Thule MOAB rack / Custom Sub Enclosure / Back-up lights "I don't high-light my hair, I've still got a pair, yeah honey, I'm still a guy. My eye brows aint plucked, there's a gun in my truck, Oh thank GOD, I'm still a guy!" Brad Paisley

05-17-2004, 03:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
garborr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 15	maybe it was caused by a valet with extremly bad BO. I don't think anyone can get that out. __________________ 1993 4Runner 4x4 K&N FIPK

05-17-2004, 04:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
gapguy Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 3,540	My runner has a nasty smell like that too. It's only done it since the alarm place didn't plug the gromet in the firewall and EVERYTHING flooded with smelly ass water. I've steam cleaned/extracted the carpet three times, and I still get that smell every now and then. I'm beginning to think I want new carpet. My A/C smell has gone away over time now tho. Shampoo, shampoo, shampoo! Even the smallest amount of water from your shoes will track down into the doorsills and mildew. It's kinda funny that both of our trucks have a smell, and both of them have that WEIRD noise when backing up under a heavy load! __________________ 2008 Mini Cooper

05-17-2004, 07:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
AKennedy87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chelmsford, MA Posts: 318	Saturday night i was in a movie and came out to rain. I had my top and sunroof off, im pretty much guaranteed to have your problems. haha what can ya do O well

05-17-2004, 10:09 PM	#17 (permalink)
gapguy Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 3,540	I would suggest RENTING a commerical upholstery shampooer. They work great, and only cost about $30 a day. Then you can do everything and leave behind a nice pretty smell of soap! __________________ 2008 Mini Cooper

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