When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I’ve had a mildew smell in the cab when the pickup gets wet (ie. Rain/ wash ) and within no time the cab will reek of mildew smell. It’s been to the dealer 3 or 4 times while pickup was still in warranty for this issue. First couple of times I got the run around of couldn’t reproduce the complaint, no sign of water intrusion. Dealer claims to have lifted all the carpet and found no mildew or water signs anywhere, they replaced cab filter at this time. This last time it was at the dealer for around 3 weeks got ahold of a ford service performance manager who got the dealer to replace the evap box. This helped a little, sort of clears the smell out of the cab after it runs for a while but not the initial smell nor if you park and get back in the smell is still there. I’ve checked the wind breaker that opens with the sun roof and I cleaned it. I’ve checked the drains and both are working correctly. Poured cups of water all over the back glass and down the back of the cab. I got a little seepage of water into the de pressurizing vents but nothing major ( check pictures). Dealer has sort of thrown in the towel and doesn’t know what to do nor really wanting to help. Out of 3-36 warranty now during all of this. Not really sure I should be stuck with this problem since the issue has never been fully fixed Looking for advice on what direction to go or any thing to check. Im mechanically inclined so not worried about diving off into it. I’ve checked every forum high and low for a solution to this issue with no luck… Any help and input is appreciated TIA
Last edited by Cmelde01; Mar 21, 2024 at 03:08 PM.
It's tough for the dealer and yourself to diagnose without the presence of moisture or water. Chasing a smell alone is challenging. Have you pulled the cowl trim to see if anything is sitting in there?
My little Mazda started getting the mildew smell in it last fall. I originally thought a mouse got in it and died, but the smell lingered too long. I can't find anywhere where water is coming in. I don't really use the A/C, and I don't smell it out of the vents, so I'm not sure it's coming from that.
It's frustrating for sure. For now, I've just learned to live with it since the car is just my beater. Good luck in finding your issue.
You could try moisture detection strips spread out across the floor where wet shoes are not likely to touch and in corners, on interior panels, etc and see where it is the most concentrated and go from there. Something like this:
It's tough for the dealer and yourself to diagnose without the presence of moisture or water. Chasing a smell alone is challenging. Have you pulled the cowel trim to see if anything is sitting in there?
Yeah I understand that…. That’s what makes it so frustrating.. but even before the evap box got replaced you could literally just hose down the pickup with a hose and you’d get the smell almost instantly. I have not pulled that. Are you talking about the piece between the hood and windshield?
Often it is from the air intake for the HVAC, and they make a product that you pour/spray into the HVAC air intake and it kills the mildew.
The fact that the dealer replaced the evap housing and it helped, indicates that may be the issue.
Yes, although that would be the source of maybe a smell though the vents, not affected by wetting down other parts of the cab.
Yeah that makes sense… we had a light shower for most of the day here in central Texas pickup was parked slightly nose down in the drive way all day. Got home from work opened the cab.. no smell… checked all of the carpet no dampness or smell. Folded back seats down same thing carpet was dry however sorta got a hint of the smell if I put my nose close to the floor at the very back of cab. Here is the kicker…. this last Saturday pickup was parked at parents pretty similar to today nose down slightly maybe a little more . Started to rain heavy for about 20 minutes, when it died down I went to move it to the shop to unload some tools opened the door and wham hit right in the face with a solid stout mildew smell.. trying to find a direction on this but have no clue
If you had water in the cab it would likely fog up your windows while sitting. I would check your cowl area also for proper drainage. Especially make sure the hole circled in red in photo is clear and not plugged.
Often it is from the air intake for the HVAC, and they make a product that you pour/spray into the HVAC air intake and it kills the mildew.
The fact that the dealer replaced the evap housing and it helped, indicates that may be the issue.
Is your theory that maybe stale / Mildewy air is making its way through the ducts while the pickup is off? While the pickup is running with the ac on fresh air or recirculate I don’t get a smell from the vents.
One other possible source to eliminate: Check the drain holes at the outer bottom corners of the doors, and make sure they're not clogged. It could be that your doors are retaining water that's seeping into the door cavities.
My passenger side rear door is notorious for dripping water out of its drain hole after heavy rains. But, that's fine, as the drain is doing its job (not allowing water to collect in the door panel area).
If you had water in the cab it would likely fog up your windows while sitting. I would check your cowl area also for proper drainage. Especially make sure the hole circled in red in photo is clear and not plugged.
Kind of what I replied to the other guy… do you think that if that was not draining correctly that the stale air could be making its way into the cab through the hvac ducting?
Is your theory that maybe stale / Mildewy air is making its way through the ducts while the pickup is off? While the pickup is running with the ac on fresh air or recirculate I don’t get a smell from the vents.
No, my theory was based on you saying that the replacement of the evap housing helped with the smell.
One other possible source to eliminate: Check the drain holes at the outer bottom corners of the doors, and make sure they're not clogged. It could be that your doors are retaining water that's seeping into the door cavities.
My passenger side rear door is notorious for dripping water out of its drain hole after heavy rains. But, that's fine, as the drain is doing its job (not allowing water to collect in the door panel area).
I will check this thank you! Mine does not have the rubber grommets that go in the door about an inch or 2 from the bottom that retain the water like others so that’s a plus I guess. I was not familiar with another drain on the doors but after some research I believe I understand what you are talking about.
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.
