what could cause a used car to have a horrible musty smell?

Question

And what to get rid of it?

Answer 1

at some point in time there was a water leak and they did not take out the rug and dry out the whole car or it could be the drain for the air conditioner is plugged up and need s to be un--plugged its under the car at the firewal where the airconditioner is its a rubber hose take a coat hanger and put into it and see what you get out of it.watch you eyes try that it might help febreze it also will help unless its really bad try it tho it will work for a while u may have to take out the rugs and dry it out in the sun also a heat lamp in the car will help and the buy a new rug get it on line jcwhintey.com

Answer 2

I would say it is the air condictioning drain. It has a small hose that vents the water out of the car and dumps it. If this drain gets stopped up it backs up water into the car and mold grows. this mold smells like musty water or sewage.
Look at the fire wall in the engine compartment and look for a small hose that ie attached to it. This is the drain.
Now stick a pencle or a small stick into this hole and see if it is stopped up.
To get ride of the oder, you need one of these vent air fressers.

Answer 3

More than likely the car has had some type of water damage to the carpet and/or upholstery. I would try giving it a thorough cleaning and airing out, then maybe spray frebreeze. If that doesn't work, replace carpet and/or upholstery. As a last resort find a different vehicle.

Answer 4

Sounds like it was under water and re entered the world without changing out the seats.They probably just dried them off and sold it that way. I had one llike that and once I changed the entire set of seats,the odor went with it. I hope the rest of the car was repaired right before selling it.

Answer 5

the mechanic shops have a spray can cleaner, a lot of cars do not have a filter to keep this clean and dirt and debris catch moisture and mildew, the mechanic sprays under the hood where the air inlet for the heater an ac are, fresh and clean in a few minutes

Answer 6

Water.
Mold.
Mildew.

ADDED:
Now stick a pencle or a small stick into this hole and see if it is stopped up.
To get ride of the oder, you need one of these vent air fressers.

(pencil)
(rid)
(odor)
(fresheners)

Answer 7

It might have sat for a long time before u bought it, or it could have been in a flood at one time.

Answer 8

sex in the back seat