Damp Smell

[rbanjany]

Hey guys my 02 Tbird started having a damp interior smell lately.. I find nothing wet anywhere, the trunk and spare well are completely dry as well.. Any ideas, has anyone seen this before..

[redbirdsal]

Re: Damp Smell

Hi Bob! Welcome to TBN!

How long have you had your '02?
Can you tell where the odor is coming from?

It's possible that it's the cabin air filter that needs to be changed.

The first thing would be to smell the air coming from your vents on the dash.

Another possiblity is that the soft top has been put down while wet, or damp.
Check the well that the top retracts into.

[rbanjany]

Re: Damp Smell

Hi..Thanks for the warm welcome. I have my 02 bird since July 2010.. I bought her with 15K miles on it.. She is as new as can be perfect in every way.. I just started gettin this smell.. I first noticed about 3 wks ago..when I orpened the door after the car was closed up... Top up.. Smelled a bit musty.. Cant really tell where it is coming from, but I would like to change cabin filter anyway..any suggestions on where and how..?

[DKest3963]

Re: Damp Smell

Hi BOB
I will bet Sal has it pretty close. Cabin air filter. My daughter has a 04 that started to smell the same way. Checked it out and someone had taken the filter out entirely. We put a new one in and her smell went away. I have never put my top down when it was wet so I can not speak about that smell. Advise us what cured the problem.
Texas Thunder May 2011
Dennis

[redbirdsal]

Re: Damp Smell

Here's a link to a pdf file posted by Joe Varey some year ago,

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=124518&postcount=5

And another link with instruction, and pics posted by Gobird/Spence
Note: Spence writes that you do not need to remove the windsheild wipers, or the entire plastic cowling...just lift up the passenger side to get to the filter slot.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12595&highlight=air+cabin+filter+ replacement

[MATBird]

Re: Damp Smell

Bob: Sometimes if you run a lot with the AC on and then leave the car for a week or so, you could also get a damp smell from the vents

[SixPac]

Re: Damp Smell

Here's a step-by-step instruction, with pics.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12595&highlight=changing+cabin+fi lter

[rbanjany]

Re: Damp Smell

Thanks All... I will look into this problem and take all your suggestions into consideration..Thanks for the pics and tutorials.. I will let all know how I made out.. Much appreciated..

In a seperate note.. Does anyone use open cell weather stripping for the rattling hardtop problem.. If so what size works best..?

[redbirdsal]

Re: Damp Smell

In a seperate note.. Does anyone use open cell weather stripping for the rattling hardtop problem.. If so what size works best..?

CHRIS was the member who tried this first.
Size and Part # can be found in this post:

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=95084&postcount=46

[rbanjany]

Re: Damp Smell

Thanks again all... I have found the reason for my musty damp smell... The passenger side of the soft top is getting water between the folds and landing on the rear shock housing causing the top to stay wet , hence the musty smell.. The top is brand new..looks great .. dont see how the top is supposed to keep the water from getting thru the folds .. ?

I am off to Home Depot to get some weather stripping and put my hardtop back on.. I will also get something to deodorize the corners of my soft top....Any ideas as to why I have water getting in the rear corners of the soft top...?

[redbirdsal]

Re: Damp Smell

duplicate post

[redbirdsal]

Re: Damp Smell

Thanks again all... I have found the reason for my musty damp smell... The passenger side of the soft top is getting water between the folds and landing on the rear shock housing causing the top to stay wet , hence the musty smell.. The top is brand new..looks great .. dont see how the top is supposed to keep the water from getting thru the folds ...?

Is your hardtop on, or off?
Could be a leak on either, or your window drop feature may need re-calibrating,

Leaks: hardtop and/or softtop

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=588&highlight=soft+top+leaks

Reset for windows - should be done each time you put on, or take off the hardtop

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=381383&postcount=2

-

[redbirdsal]

Re: Damp Smell

Bob, I know you're a new member, and I have a suggestion.

We've covered three, or more issues on one thread, entitled "Damp Smell".
While your questions are being addressed, it's not helpful for those members who are looking for answers for thier paticular issues.

An alternate method to benefit all members would be to address each issue on it's own thread, in another Forum, "2002 - 2005 Thunderbird Garage".

All Forums can be found above in the dark tool bar, once you get there, check the Sub-Forums.
------------------------------------------

Once you are comfortable navigating the TBN website, an extremely useful tool is the search key (also located on the dark blue toolbar on each page. Just enter a few key words..."damp smell or musty odor", "open cell weatherstripping", "soft top leak", "window reset", etc... and you'll find information based on years of fellow members various experiences and issues.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Damp Smell

Bob: Sometimes if you run a lot with the AC on and then leave the car for a week or so, you could also get a damp smell from the vents

Ditto this.

[jerrym3]

Re: Damp Smell

I have a damp smell, and I've changed the cabin air filter. I think it's because I don't run the A/C or heater enough. Mold probably builds up in the passageways.