Ford Repair: Stale smell in 2007 Explorer Eddie Bauer, ford explorer eddie bauer, explorer eddie bauer

Question
QUESTION: Hi Drew,
My husband just bought a used 2007 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition.  He loves the car except for a stale smell inside that just won't go away.  He brought the car back to the dealer; they said there is no filter for the A/C to replace and they cleaned the vents I believe which did nothing.  When we're in the car, after running the A/C for a while we don't smell it anymore, but I think that's just because we've gotten used to it.  If we turn the car for a while, even overnight, and return, the stale smell is there before we even start the car.  Do you know what could be causing this smell and what we can do to remove it?  Thank you for your help.

ANSWER: Ruthie,

Remove the front and rear interior kick panels and see if the carpet matting is wet under the front or rear carpet areas after a heavy or long rain. A water leak intrusion at the 'A' post,cowl section,roof panel or sunroof (if equipped) can cause a condition such as this.  Let me know if you find the floor matting wet or damp.


Drew Young
Rainchaser
Auto-Water-Leaks.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Drew,
Thank you for your quick response.  Well, the floors are dry, but now we're sure the smell is coming from the vents.  This morning the odor was faint, but when we turned on the A/C, there it was coming out of the vents.  My husband thinks water is accumulating somewhere behind the vents.  If that's the case, do you have a suggestion?  By the way, I told you the Explorer was 2007, it's actually 2006.  Thank you again.

Answer
Ruthie,
I've taken some time to talk to a few dealerships I work with about your problem. All recommend having your e-vap case flushed. I'm sending you a link to the system flush company for you to look at.  http://www.engineflush.com/pages/dwd2.html
If you follow the links at the top of the page marked References you will find a list of dealerships that have the system. Some of these dealerships I have worked with in the past and I believe the system flush may help your problem from the information you have given me. It seems to be a common issue.

Drew Young
Rainchaser
Auto-Water-Leaks.com