Musty Smell

Blackice · #1 05-14-2007, 03:24 AM

I've had my 2005 Stratus Sedan for about1 year now and about2 months ago I've noticed a musty smell when the car is closed up for a while. I can't figure out where the smell is coming from!

Everything I can get to andsmell in the cardoesn't havethe musty odor to it. I have never had a leak in the vehicle, and have never even left my windows down when it rained.

I have read a lot of problems with different vehiclesthat had AC coils growing mildew on them, and causing the odor to come into the car when the AC was on. But would this sort of problem cause the interior your car to smell when the AC is never run?

Anyone else had this problem? If anyone has any suggestions as to where this stink could be "hiding" I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Dodge Forums!

BloodRed · #2 05-14-2007, 05:21 PM

A common place for a leak to happen and it goes un-noticed for a while is a leak in the trunk of the car. Check your spare tire well for standing water.

Blackice · #3 05-14-2007, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunatley there isn't a leak in the trunk. In fact the trunk smells better than the rest of the car. Any other "hidden" places anyone can suggest?

Thanks.

master tech · #4 05-15-2007, 01:38 AM

With the heater on and at bottom of your windshield there is a air intake on the passager side, spray or drip some Lysol, that will go down to your heater core and evap coil too.

Blackice · #5 05-15-2007, 05:12 PM

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

superstrat97 · #6 05-15-2007, 08:13 PM

at my dealership we stock this fancy aerosol spray that you spray into the heater box intake and it neutralizes any mold or bacteria inside the box, and gives it a fresh citrus scent to boot

. check your dealer they might even stock it if your lucky

ChaseOK · #7 08-22-2007, 10:14 PM

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t728...nger_seat.html

Quote:

This is from another forum.....
Hey, I know exactly what's going on. My wife and I just went through the same thing. We also have a 2005 Stratus and as it turns out, it seems that on this particular model that they improperly place the drain under the car so that it leaks in instead of out. Just take it to the dealer and he/she will be able to simply reroute it to the outside for you. It shouldn't take long at all. Don't worry, it's nothing major, your car is perfectly ok aside from the aweful smell. That will go away to, may I suggest fabreze and a vacuum cleaner, preferably one that you would use at a manual car wash.

I alsohave a 2005 Dodge Stratus and I am having the same problem. There has to be something wrong with this many people having this same exact "RANDOM" problem. Do you know what was rerouted? The dealership near me doesn't have a clue what needs to be done because there isn't a service bulletin on this issue. I will fix it myself if I knew what to do.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been a MOPAR guy all my life and this car has left a bad taste in my mouth (and stench in the air) about buying another one. They sure don't build them like they used to.

ChaseOK · #8 08-23-2007, 05:47 PM

Ok guys, here is the service bulletin!

Technical Service Bulletin: 24-018-05
GROUP: Heating & A/C
DATE: September 24, 2005
SUBJECT: HVAC Water Leaks Onto Passenger Floor

OVERVIEW: This bulletin involves drying the carpet and dash panel silencer pad and installing a revised HVAC drain tube.

MODELS: 2004 -2006 (JR) Sebring Sedan/Sebring Convertible/Stratus Sedan[/align]

tomthedog · #9 08-24-2007, 01:36 AM

had the issue on my '02. i just CRANK the heater after i come home from a drive. after 1/2 hour all the smelly stuff is dead. happy motoring.