Thread: Stale smell in ‘13 D4

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

Originally Posted by 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?

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

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.

Do you have any pics of the fix please?

Originally Posted by wardy1

Do you have any pics of the fix please?

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Looks like a Streets Blue Ribbon Vanilla lid?

Originally Posted by RHS58

Looks like a Streets Blue Ribbon Vanilla lid?

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

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

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