Hyundai Repair: 1998 Hyundai Lantra - interior water leak, hyundai lantra, flood cars

Question
I have a terrible stale water smell in the car for around 2 months. Have had it valeted, leave windows and boot open when I can to no avail. No sign of water/wet patches anywhere in the car or boot. Drivers side window regulator was faulty for several months and window was not closing up straight into grove without manual assistance. Window now repaired but smell still persists. Garage repaired regulator with Epoxy glue! Do I need a new regulator? Do I need a new door?! Help! I love the car but will have to part with it if I can't get rid of the smell. Its really stinkin. Any assistance much appreciated. Roisin

Answer
Roisin, I am an auto paint expert.  these questions are out of my league. Sounds like an expensive repair...start by replacing floor covering and insulation where mold likely is festering.  Pull door apart, replace faulty systems: not sure what is faulty, yes probably replace window regulator, and door gaskets and all that glue will need to be removed. Not sure had door been in a wreck and somebody attempted to straingten it?  If it is crooked, yes replace door if you want it to quit leaking, obviously the repair didn't work. If keep same door, spray inside of door and bare metal of floor with industrial strength clorox when you have it all dismantled and let it dry out in the sun all day, before reassembling.  That is a tremendous expense listed right there, maybe more than your car is worth.  Perhaps you let an O3 (ozone machine) run inside your car for a few days intermittant, with opening it up and let it air out on sunny days, one day ozone, one day fresh sunny air, for about a week will help. Good ozone machine is about $350.00 to $1700.00+ or more.  (It's how they professionally clean furniture).  However, this may or may not work.  You have flood car problems.  That is why insurance companies almost always "total" flood cars.  Perhaps you can find a flood car specialist.  Like i said all this sounds like you can replace your car for cheaper and i recommend you get some electric car. Joe