Mystery musty smell when it rains

[Muskokan]

Hey guys I've been doing a bit of research the last couple days and can't seem to find the cause of this musty, earthy smell I keep getting. It only happens after it rains, and goes away within a few days of dryness. Sometimes getting so strong I wonder if something died somewhere, then boom, completely fine the next morning in the car.

I have installed the pdi grommets after finding them in my dash. And I've also looked at the rear shock holes confirming no water coming in the trunk. I've got on my hands and knees in the morning when it's the worst and sniffed around the carpet cause I know I had lots of snow melt puddles leak out of the weathertech mat, but couldn't find the point of origin...

Sooo gunna rely on you beauties to give me a potential list to check off.

Thanks in advance

[grodenglaive]

pastrami sandwich fall under the seat?
It's probably coming from the ac - bacteria and mold can grow in the evaporator core. Mine is starting to do the same.
try this:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYlp9dm7AI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYlp9dm7AI[/ame]

[roddy]

Try checking the cabin air filter for dampness next time you notice it. This probably isn't the issue, but it is easy to check, and would eliminate one more possible cause.

[teamturbo]

Noticed the same issue. Almost a smell of urine. I'll turn the AC on, the smell quickly dissipates. Clean car, 2 years old & 12,000 miles on it.

[Freetime]

plagued with this problem as well every time it rains. I keep meaning to check the drains/filter but I never think of it when it isn't raining.

[Fastbrew]

The Magical Mystery Musty-Ass Tour is coming to take you away - coming to taaaake you awaaayyyy

[radroach]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73054

[Tcoat]

If you did the sound tube delete and didn't plug the hole you can get some weird smells through it when it is wet out.

[Muskokan]

Checked cabin filter, actually remarkably clean with no moisture. You guys that have this smell use your ac a lot? The video posted says it's caused by using the ac a lot on recirculating mode. I barely ever use my ac... Rather just role with windows down.

And if it was the ac why would we only smell it when it rains?

[extrashaky]

It's not really a mystery. You have a leak somewhere, and the standing water is growing mildew. It doesn't take a whole lot. You just have to track it down.

Check your carpets for moisture. Check under your seats. Check under the spare tire. Check under the cowl cover. Check the doors. The Jeep guys find their leaks by putting a hose on various likely areas during dry weather and then checking inside to see if they have caused the leak themselves.

Dessicant packs can get rid of the moisture. Damp rid actually does work, but you need to find the leak if you want to get rid of it once and for all.

You can kill the mildew (and the smell) with an ozone generator. Don't ozone it for too long, though, because ozone eats electronics if given enough time. A couple of hours should do it. You can rent small ozone generators.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

I remember being involved with another post involving the A/C condensation drain tube causing issues with some people, it doesn't drain straight out the bottom and occasionally water will pool into the air it drains into, I would blast that out with air too btw.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46485
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ht=A%2FC+smell

[nivek111070]

not going to lie, my car smells like old mildewed gym socks, only 6k miles