Seeing how it seldomn rains here in Southern California, but I've noticed everytime after driving in the rain, when I come back to my parked car, it smells like crap inside. Sort of a putrid, bad yogurt smell (actually more like moldy rain water).

Is there something growing in my vents? Does anyone else have this problem?

Jimmy

 

That happens in our Accord here in PHX when it rains once a year.

However, it does not happen in my 4Runner.

 

I've got stink coming through the air vents before, although it seemed to go away. Some people talk about the cat. converter "burping" once in while, but that would be when you're driving, not when the car is parked. Stuff can grow in the vents, I've heard of people spraying lysol into the vents to kill the little beasties off, you could try that.

 

Jimmy,

Another Southern Californian here but I don't think its a local problem.

The thing you are probably smelling is MOLD in your A/C evaporator box. My wife's 95 Camry has this problem too.

What you can do in the short term:
Open the vent to "Fresh" when you leave your vehicle. Yup, everytime. This allows for the A/C box to dry out. When you run your A/C, run it in "Fresh" mode for a minute or two and then switch to "Recirc"

What you can do to fix it:
There is a product/treatment where you drill a tiny hole and they spray this funk killer in your A/C evaporator box. I forget the name but they have it at Longo Toyota. It costs about $99. Well worth it if you ask me.

Another possible cause of the funk might be that your have a small leak or hole in your firewall. Check underneath the carpet under the driver's and passenger side and feel around for wet carpet.

Bob

 

I always switch to recirc and shut off the a/c then run the fan on high for a bit a ways before I know I am going to park and shut down the rig. You want as much mist and condensation to evaporate as possible and not sit in the system.

 

If the funk is from the AC/ventilations system one way to kill the mold is to turn the AC/vents on full blast and spray Lysol into the intake underneath the wipers. Just make sure you somewhat cover the interior vents so you don't spray Lysol all over your interior.