Prius (2010-12) :: Strong Mold Smell / Odor When Car Is Sitting With The Windows Up
Jun 12, 2014
I have a 2010 Prius and it has developed a very strong mold smell/odor. It is strongest when the car has been sitting with the windows up. I have tried many of the tips in the forum regarding not using the recirc mode. I've clean the car inside and out, mats, carpeting, every compartment.
I have talked to the dealer parts counter and replaced the cabin air filter with the carbon filter and used the 2 can treatment that Toyota sells (one in the a/c drain x2 and the other in the air intake.). No joy.
I took it to the service department they did the same thing - again, no joy.
They have asked me to bring it back for, and I quote, "exploratory surgery." I asked if this the covered under the Toyota Certified Warranty. He could not confirm that it would be covered.
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I’ve been having this awful mold smell coming from my 3rd gen during the first few minutes of AC use in the warmer weather months when I generally use AC more often. This mold smell rarely happened in the winter since I usually only use heat without AC and the air circulation is usually set to “outside” instead of re-circulate.
So I’ve read somewhere to simply not use the default recirculate setting when operating the AC to avoid the mold smell, and if using the re-circulate – to only use it to initially cool down the car then switch to outside circulation.
Some also state while the AC is on outside air circulation to turn off the AC a couple of minutes before arriving to your destination while keeping the fan on, but mainly I see that simply using the outside air circulation resolves my odor issue.
Keep in mind, that the default setting for AC while cooling down the vehicle is to re-circulate when using the “auto” mode – so you’ll have to be cognitive about switching it to outside air each time.
This method works like a charm for me. It has been driving me nuts for two seasons. Since following the above, I’ve not had that stinky mold/wet sock/hamper smell coming from my vents.
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I have a 2004 Santa Fe, 2.7, 150,000 miles. Have had the car for a month or so. I notice that at times I am getting a strong fuel odor when sitting at idle with the windows down. Why the odor, what should I look at, and is this normal? I don't always smell it, does not have to be a full tank to smell it. No fuel leak that I can see . . . I would think the canister would capture the odor?
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Has encountered a strong odor of washer fluid when using it on your windows. I was driving to work this morning through a snow storm and needed to use my washer fluid for the first time. As soon as I turned it on the entire cabin was filled with that smell. Could this be a leak?I thought it was all confined within the engine compartment so not sure why I smell it immediately upon using.
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I have been smelling fuel on and off for the last few weeks. I thought it was the fuel bowl drain valve so I ordered the kit for the whole fuel bowl from diesel o-rings. I did the rebuild this morning and I don't see any visual leaks. Still smell a strong odor of diesel though. The lower engine cradle is all wet and the valley is still a little wet too. Could I still have a leak and if so where to look? Could it be just wet still from draining the fuel bowl and needs time to go away?
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I have leased a new Hyundai Elantra Limited 2012. We have noticed a very strong odor in the trunk. We have removed all the trunk mats and spare tire insulation trying to air them out and the smell still persists. It smells like something is burning or has burnt near the wheel wells or the back fold down seats. How to get rid of it?
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Headlight out prematurely
Rear plug in not working - went to use it for the first time and it does not work at all
Windshield Wipers are not working. This is the second set.
MOLD SMELL - From the A/C ..the only time it has gone away was when the cabin filter was replaced. It was only free of that smell for a few days and then it started back again.
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I have a Corolla XLi 2010 (1.6) which from the moment I bought the car it had this problem with the AC (I bought it used and was informed about the issue so I got it with a good price).
The AC sometimes starts and sometimes it doesn't I thought it was just lacking of freon gas but wasn't that, and except this problem the second one is that sometimes it smells like mold coming from the AC. May be are related or maybe not, but I really want to resolve these issues asap.
I'm adding some more info, when the AC isn't working I don't hear the AC sound, and of course when it's working I hear the classic AC sound, and another "thingy" is that when I push the car around 120km/h the AC keeps working more , and also some times if isn't working and I hit the turbo increasing the RPM and making the car scream like a sport car , suddenly the AC starts (but I don't do thsi all the time) and it's just my impression of daily-use.
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Let me know if I'm doing the right things
1. Spray sanitizer in it (already done)
2. Flush kit from Toyota ???
3. New evaporator coil
Trying to remedy this problem.
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I'm going to take my Elantra in to get it checked. My Elantra is a 2013, got it in March. Over the last few weeks, I would say, on 4 days or so there has been a STRONG exhaust smell. No smoke, nothing else but a smell. If I'm pulling into the garage with no idling, just pull in and park, I get out and the smell in the garage is very strong. I have to leave the garage open for at least an hour if not more to air it out. The cab ends up having a light smell inside the next day still.
If I'm parking outside when I get out I can still smell it, but not quite as strong, because I'm not in an enclosed area. I don't think it's an exhaust manifold leak, because I don't hear the popping. My best guess is it would be in the tail pipe area pre-catalytic converter, or in the catalytic converter if it is in fact an exhaust leak.
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After I use the AC, I get a bad smell. It smells like mold or mildew. I've tried a spray cleaner but the smell comes back. Is there a way to clean the system without tearing out the dash?
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We have a 2005 VW Passat wagon and it has an awful and undetectable mildew/mold smell. We have had it checked for leaks by three separate mechanics, no water or dampness is apparent under the carpets, we have never seen any water in the car. It is not related to A/C or heat, for it is always there in the passenger cabin. We had it detailed with an antimicrobial solution applied to all of the upholstery and we cannot get rid of the stink.
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Our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid has been great and trouble free. Recently, however, we've noticed a strong smell,like fiberglass, come from the A/C when starting from a cold engine.
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Car: 02 Passat GLX V6 4motion
Mileage: 99k
Just recently bought this car (3 months ago) and I have had lots of issue with it already. I topped off the tank that same week and it started to leak gas right under the gas tank (driver side in front of the rear wheel).
No engine light came on. It leaked for couple of days for about an hour after I park the car then it would stop until I drive again. It did that for couple of days until the gas level went down to 2/3 then it stopped. Since then I stopped topping it off and it hasn't leaked.
However I always smell gas even when its not leaking. When I go around the car the odor comes from right in front of the rear wheel (driver side).
Prior History: This car was rear ended before and fixed up by the prior owner. The seller told me that he had recently replaced the fuel pressure regulator that week.
I took it to the mechanic and had them do a smoke test. They couldn't pin point the leak so they recommended replacing the entire fuel tank for $1800. I walked away and thought I would just keep the fuel level low and keep driving. However the gas smell really bothers me because the car is parked in the garage and the gas odor builds up to unbearable condition.
What could cause this issue? Does this has anything to do with fuel pressure regulator that was replaced? Anything to do with fuel pump because of the rear end accident or loose seal in that area? Do you think it is necessary to replace the whole tank for this?
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I have a rernote starter installed on my '07 SF 3.3. It will leave the engine running for 18 minutes before shutting off. If I get into the vehicle after it has been running for over 10 minutes or so, there is a strong odor of gas inside.
Where I might look for where it is coming from? If I remember to leave the vehicle in "recirculate" mode the night before, the odor is less, but my wife and I drive it equally so often the recirlcualte button will not be pressed.
Not sure if there is a leak somewhere (no other signs of a leak or gas odor while driving), or if this is "normal"...
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Today, when I returned to my parked car from grocery shopping, I noticed a strong interior electrical burning smell. Like wires burning or similar. When starting the car the yellow warning triangle came on and the hybrid warning message to pull over and park the car. What could cause this? Want to mentioned today was a very hot day 105. Up until today the car drove flawless.
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Over the last 2 days here in NJ were its been cold. When starting the Treg and get out of the car I smell a strong odor of gas from the Exhaust. This normal? Haven't had this smell before. Seems like it drives normal. Don't get to drive it everyday anymore. Only on weekends as my wife take the Treg to work now.
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I have a 2007 Santa Fe GLS with about 68k. Starter her up this am and smelled a very strong odor of gasoline in the cabin. I check my garage floor and didn't see any leaks. Drove it for a few minutes and the smell went away. What might be causing this?
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I remember reading very recently about someone who found a fix to the strong fuel odor on cold starts. I can't seem to find it anywhere. I think it mentioned something about a bad ignition coil or something.
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I have had my Prius for a few weeks now and have noticed a very strong smell of petrol when I have the vents open to heat the car (without AC). It seems to only happen when the fan is on and vents open. What could cause this and should I be concerned?
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I'm possibly being paranoid, but twice, after hard driving, my Prius has smelt strongly of burnt plastic/rubber.
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