Stale smell in ‘13 D4

[wardy1]

Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I’m finding that the car smells really stale especially after is been sitting overnight.
I’ve changed the pollen filter.
None of the carpets are damp.

Any ideas? Is there another filter I need to Change?

[Tombie]

You’ll need to go well under the carpets to check for moisture.

[Discodicky]

Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I’m finding that the car smells really stale especially after is been sitting overnight.
I’ve changed the pollen filter.
None of the carpets are damp.

Any ideas? Is there another filter I need to Change?

The air cond system will smell musty if not used often.

[DiscoJeffster]

Absolutely. I just fixed this a couple of weeks back. If you have a wet passenger footwell then I might have the fix. See if you can get the carpet up - though your hand should be able to feel it’s a bit damp anyhow.
The possible issue: as the scuttle panel ages they bow slightly, plus plus become loose and the rubber seal lifts slightly off the windshield. Water gets under it and runs into the air inlet. From there it flows into the blower and seeps out the back into the footwell. It runs along the firewall, so under into the backing/sound deadening and not onto the floor so it’s harder to trace.
The fix: piece of plastic as a deflector bolted through the available hold in the duct. Lift the scuttle and you’ll see how the air inlet juts out. Plastic there so water runs over instead of in.

Other sources: sunroof drains (common), A pillar plugs (moderate), Disconnected AC drain (unlikely).

I ran water over the car section by section until I found mine, but I’d read enough people having the issue so knew the places to check.

[wardy1]

Do you have any pics of the fix please?

[DiscoJeffster]

Do you have any pics of the fix please?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191012/e3fba004ee162a8b5cab73bde7e3137f.jpg

[RHS58]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191012/e3fba004ee162a8b5cab73bde7e3137f.jpg

Looks like a Streets Blue Ribbon Vanilla lid?

[DiscoJeffster]

Looks like a Streets Blue Ribbon Vanilla lid?

And the winner goes to RHS58. Vanilla to be precise. Works a treat, pardon the pun.

[Fatso]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191012/e3fba004ee162a8b5cab73bde7e3137f.jpg

My scuttle panel is not snug against the windscreen , was this the course of your leak into the vent .

[DiscoJeffster]

My scuttle panel is not snug against the windscreen , was this the course of your leak into the vent .

Yes, but the design is the the issue. Deflect the water AND fix the scuttle (new clips) and it’ll be water free again.

[HarryO]

My cars musty smell was caused by the Aircon Drains blocking (one either side of the centre console). Did not notice any dripping, etc and carpet 100% felt dry on top but when I checked under the carpet the latex type foam they use was full of water.

Took ages to blower drying and lots of bicarb before it disappeared. Kept having to squeeze the foam to get the water out the centre of the foam.

[Fatso]

Can you still get a new Disco 3/RRS Scuttle in Oz or are they now a defunct item , if not might have to find a way to unwarp my old one or seal up somehow or fit a deflector like discojeffster , as cant get mine to fit against the screen properly .

[Fatso]

Should be ok now , took the Windscreen Scuttle off and did the Discojeffster trick with the ice cream lid to prevent leaks . Only 10 mins to get the scuttle off easy peasy .