Advice needed removing musty smell from the car's carpet

Ground_Pounder_65 · 07-05-2005, 11:09 AM

About a month ago I felt the pass side floor and it was soaked. Turns out the drain line from the evap was cracked. Dealer fixed it under warranty but now the musty smell in the car is literally enough to gag a maggot. I've tried all the different auto cleaners out there. Still smells. Next step is to rent a regular carper cleaner (Rug Doctor?) and try that.

Anyone have any other ideas?

KOpork · 07-05-2005, 11:12 AM

Mark P · 07-05-2005, 11:12 AM

I just did that with my new-to-me Golf:

Rear passenger footwell carpet "pad":

Front passenger footwell dripping:

Rear passenger footwell puddle:

ZephyrS4 · 07-05-2005, 11:13 AM

Mark P · 07-05-2005, 11:13 AM

http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/tech/seat_removal/

RKA · 07-05-2005, 11:36 AM

The problem is water accumulation UNDER the carpet has created a mold/mildew problem. Odds are there is still moisture underneath the carpet, and on damp days, I'll bet the smell gets really bad. Pull it up, dry everything out thoroughly, and use some kind of disinfectant to kill the mold and mildew before you put everything back together again.

SAC-CA-GTI · 07-05-2005, 11:40 AM

with two of my old A2 Jettas. Carpet was like new when done...and no smell!

rennteknik · 07-05-2005, 11:40 AM

Mark P · 07-05-2005, 11:46 AM

In my case, the water was just on the passenger side, so peeling it up and letting dry should suffice.

I also cleaned the area with Mr Clean to disenfect, and I'll likely do some baking soda mix on the carpet itself to help absorb any remaining smell

ModifiedA4 · 07-05-2005, 12:00 PM

07-05-2005, 11:09 AM	#1
Ground_Pounder_65 New Member Account #: 87183 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 435	Advice needed removing musty smell from the car's carpet About a month ago I felt the pass side floor and it was soaked. Turns out the drain line from the evap was cracked. Dealer fixed it under warranty but now the musty smell in the car is literally enough to gag a maggot. I've tried all the different auto cleaners out there. Still smells. Next step is to rent a regular carper cleaner (Rug Doctor?) and try that. Anyone have any other ideas? __________________ 2001.5 S4 6sp - Premium, Cold, Bose Stage 2+ GIAC Flashloader Piggies Milltek Dual Plus a bunch of other expensive crap everyone else does to these cars that's fun but not worth writing down... Best 1/4 so far: 60' 1.733 1/4' 12.882 MPH 106.85 Quite possibly the stupidest thing anyone has ever said (from Beemer forums) Tons of S4 info from EdyJun Cool map of S4 owners across the US - please add yourself if you aren't already on it

07-05-2005, 11:12 AM	#2
KOpork Member Account #: 22238 Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 16,425	I would get the carpet cleaner like you said and throw maybe 1-2 febreeze sheets in. That will help. __________________ Silver S4 for sale RIP OWK 2000 Audi S4 piggified stg3 2000 Audi S4 stock 2008 Triumph Daytona 674 SE

07-05-2005, 11:12 AM	#3
Mark P AudiWorld Expert Account #: 139 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 27,939	Remove the seat, pull up the carpet, let it dry.... I just did that with my new-to-me Golf: Rear passenger footwell carpet "pad": Front passenger footwell dripping: Rear passenger footwell puddle: __________________ Mark P Dyno: 469wHP / 451wTQ 93 oct - best 60':1.734 \| best 1/4ET:12.239 \| best 1/4mph:116.58 100+oct - best 60':1.698 \| best 1/4ET:11.762 \| best 1/4mph:121.72 Current: '04 Porsche 911 Turbo, Speed Yellow - 21k miles '02 Audi S4 Avant, Imola Yellow, APR Stg3 - imolavant website - 189k miles '01.5 VW Golf 4dr 1.8T, Satin Silver, GT28R - Golf website - 200k miles Previous: '00 Audi A4 1.8T, Silver - Quattrobonium website

07-05-2005, 11:13 AM	#4
ZephyrS4 Senior Member Account #: 32425 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 9,388	baking soda overnight and vacuum it up the next day? __________________

07-05-2005, 11:13 AM	#5
Mark P AudiWorld Expert Account #: 139 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 27,939	S4 seat removal instructions.... http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/tech/seat_removal/ __________________ Mark P Dyno: 469wHP / 451wTQ 93 oct - best 60':1.734 \| best 1/4ET:12.239 \| best 1/4mph:116.58 100+oct - best 60':1.698 \| best 1/4ET:11.762 \| best 1/4mph:121.72 Current: '04 Porsche 911 Turbo, Speed Yellow - 21k miles '02 Audi S4 Avant, Imola Yellow, APR Stg3 - imolavant website - 189k miles '01.5 VW Golf 4dr 1.8T, Satin Silver, GT28R - Golf website - 200k miles Previous: '00 Audi A4 1.8T, Silver - Quattrobonium website

07-05-2005, 11:36 AM	#6
RKA Member Account #: 2062 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 67,038	What Mark said. The problem is water accumulation UNDER the carpet has created a mold/mildew problem. Odds are there is still moisture underneath the carpet, and on damp days, I'll bet the smell gets really bad. Pull it up, dry everything out thoroughly, and use some kind of disinfectant to kill the mold and mildew before you put everything back together again. __________________ 2005.5 A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro 6MT APR 91/93/100 \| APR Exhaust \| 19" BBS RS-GT's \| Carbonio \| Hotchkis \| Partridge-in-a-pear-tree Others: 2006 TL on the block 2001 S4 sold 2000 A4 sold * September 11th, 2001 - Never Forget *

07-05-2005, 11:40 AM	#7
SAC-CA-GTI Senior Member Account #: 42872 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 8,320	I would also take it to a high powered car wash and spray it off with soap and water. Did this... with two of my old A2 Jettas. Carpet was like new when done...and no smell! __________________

07-05-2005, 11:40 AM	#8
rennteknik Member Account #: 53425 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,212	also pick up some damp rid to remove any extra moisture form inside... __________________ Money Pit Motorsports 01.5 S4 Avant STG III 95 BMW M3 90 Coupe Quattro 20VT Thanks in no particular order: VAST, AWE, Buehn, ASP, Europrice, Moss@Torque Factory.. All A+ Vendors

07-05-2005, 11:46 AM	#9
Mark P AudiWorld Expert Account #: 139 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 27,939	depends on where the wetness is, and how easy it is to remove the carpet In my case, the water was just on the passenger side, so peeling it up and letting dry should suffice. I also cleaned the area with Mr Clean to disenfect, and I'll likely do some baking soda mix on the carpet itself to help absorb any remaining smell __________________ Mark P Dyno: 469wHP / 451wTQ 93 oct - best 60':1.734 \| best 1/4ET:12.239 \| best 1/4mph:116.58 100+oct - best 60':1.698 \| best 1/4ET:11.762 \| best 1/4mph:121.72 Current: '04 Porsche 911 Turbo, Speed Yellow - 21k miles '02 Audi S4 Avant, Imola Yellow, APR Stg3 - imolavant website - 189k miles '01.5 VW Golf 4dr 1.8T, Satin Silver, GT28R - Golf website - 200k miles Previous: '00 Audi A4 1.8T, Silver - Quattrobonium website

07-05-2005, 12:00 PM	#10
ModifiedA4 AudiWorld Expert Account #: 143 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 34,567	remove the carpet, and wet dry vac it. __________________ www.modifieda4.com

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