Musty Smell in 2000 Convertible
01-11-2005, 06:30 PM
#1
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Musty Smell in 2000 Convertible
I test-drove a 2000 convertible today. It had a pretty strong musty smell inside. Is it common for C5 convertibles to leak? Or was it merely a flaw in this particular one?
01-11-2005, 07:58 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
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my y2k does not have that smell. Musty smell comes from water AKA mold growing. Maybe the top was down and it rained in it. Or it could have a leak. I had a car with T roofs. 6 years after I bought I didnt have a parking garage and that's when I realized it leaked
01-11-2005, 11:43 PM
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It shouldn't smell. I would be looking for a leak. Check the passengers side floor area. That's the first place the A/C leaks. If it's wet check the computer under the floor mat. If the floor is wet make sure the drain between the firewall and the header is clear. It's on the passenger's side and is best accessed from underneath the car.
01-11-2005, 11:59 PM
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I agree with Stock Man!! 
There are a number of places that C5's can leak from! Yes,, some do leak but for the most part it is rare. My 02 Z06 had a small leak on the drivers side which was fixed under warrenty. For the most part, the solutions are easily accomplished. My 98 leaked bad until I personally tracked the problems down and corrected them. When I sold it, there were ZERO leaks.
If you decide on purchasing the car, we can get you dry again!!
BC
There are a number of places that C5's can leak from! Yes,, some do leak but for the most part it is rare. My 02 Z06 had a small leak on the drivers side which was fixed under warrenty. For the most part, the solutions are easily accomplished. My 98 leaked bad until I personally tracked the problems down and corrected them. When I sold it, there were ZERO leaks.
If you decide on purchasing the car, we can get you dry again!!
BC
01-12-2005, 06:45 AM
#5
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No, it should not have a musty smell. It would appear that somewhere the car has a leak that is allowing water to get inside and cause the smell. May want to have them check this out and repair if you decide to buy.
01-12-2005, 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
No, it should not have a musty smell. It would appear that somewhere the car has a leak that is allowing water to get inside and cause the smell. May want to have them check this out and repair if you decide to buy.
01-12-2005, 08:03 AM
#7
Drifting
Try searching over with us in the Z06 forum. Most, not all, of the smell issues come from the outside air vent intake located right below the window when you open the hood. Start your car put your AC on full blast and pop your hood. Take a can of your favorate scent of lysol and spray in into the fresh air intake vent for about a minute. let the car sit and run for about 5 min with the doors open and the AC still on full blast. This should kill the mold and make your car smell pretty damn good. I do this every few months down here in GA.
01-12-2005, 08:28 AM
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In addition to the afore mentioned leak possibilities, GM did a TSB on mine('02), where they ran something through the ducting system to kill the "mold". They also, as I have since found out from another forum member, reset the interior fan to come on after shut down for a few seconds every couple of minutes. Since August, it seems to be working. Good luck.
01-12-2005, 10:24 AM
#11
Making CFOT Great Again
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Thanks, everyone, for all the great suggestions.
I've decided against this particular one, mostly because it's an A4 and I want a 6-speed - but the possibility that it might be a flood car is definitely another nail in the coffin. Now, if it had been Yellow with MN6 and Z51, I'd have a tough choice to make...
I've decided against this particular one, mostly because it's an A4 and I want a 6-speed - but the possibility that it might be a flood car is definitely another nail in the coffin. Now, if it had been Yellow with MN6 and Z51, I'd have a tough choice to make...
01-12-2005, 10:37 AM
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Just for the record this is a problem with most car AC systems. There are products that can be sprayed into the system to kill the mold that can grow in the ducts (as has been mentioned) with varying success rates. The cause is that as the AC runs (especially on humid days) water condenses inside the duct work. If not allowed to eveporate then it can get stanky.
01-12-2005, 10:59 AM
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Ladies undergarments tend to accumulate under the seats in many Vettes and can develop a "musty" aroma. In a 2000 model there could be a plethora of these that have accumulated over the years. At least once a month I take a large lawn and garden leaf bag and make sure I remove all that have gotten "lost" in my Vette. 
01-12-2005, 12:16 PM
#14
Corvette C5 Enthusiast
Maybe from storeage? 1s year I stored my vert over the winter, I didn't prep right and ended up with a slight moldy smell in the spring. Since then, I've ensured to do the proper prep, including getting some of the charcoal mositure absorbers and placing them in the car.
01-12-2005, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by GMDGary
Ladies undergarments tend to accumulate under the seats in many Vettes and can develop a "musty" aroma. In a 2000 model there could be a plethora of these that have accumulated over the years. At least once a month I take a large lawn and garden leaf bag and make sure I remove all that have gotten "lost" in my Vette.
Or perhaps Pinky McFarlin was the former owner 
01-12-2005, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Stock Man
It shouldn't smell. I would be looking for a leak. Check the passengers side floor area. That's the first place the A/C leaks. If it's wet check the computer under the floor mat. If the floor is wet make sure the drain between the firewall and the header is clear. It's on the passenger's side and is best accessed from underneath the car.
01-12-2005, 01:07 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by GMDGary
Ladies undergarments tend to accumulate under the seats in many Vettes and can develop a "musty" aroma. In a 2000 model there could be a plethora of these that have accumulated over the years. At least once a month I take a large lawn and garden leaf bag and make sure I remove all that have gotten "lost" in my Vette.
