help - Mold \ Mildew smell after rain or car wash

[rxnate]

If it’s that fast I’m still pretty sure it’s the doors. Even if they aren’t plugged now, they were at some point and when that stank gets wet, you smell it. And they leak quickly and often. I cleared the clogs so they don’t hold water but the smell comes back after a soak.

How could you go about cleaning the doors out? If at all?

 

[Nex]

They are plenty big. They can get stuck up allowing water in.

 

[isis]

How could you go about cleaning the doors out? If at all?

I assume you’d have to take off the interior panels and get some kind of cleaner inside. Or take it to the desert and let it bake for a few weeks.

 

[rxnate]

Hello fello raptor heads, been a while since an update..

The issue has not gone away, but I believe I know for 98% certainty the smells are coming from somewhere with the big moonroof. I've had several shops now confirm no leaks, so it isn't that.
I just decided to do a vinegar\water 50\50 mix and I slowly poured in the mix into the rails with the roof open, and did that over and over again. Surprising how much my truck smelled like vinegar for the next couple of weeks just because I drained it from the roof!

Sadly, it hasn't eliminated the problem. It does seem to ahve helped I think? It doesn't seem as strong or happen as fast as it used to, but it's def still there and a problem.
I'm just not sure what could possibly be holding in that smell or getting mixed up at this point.

I didn't notice it all after washing my truck today, and then I opened the moon roof, and it's like it activated it and I could smell it whirling up. Then after putting my truck up for a bit, I came back and it was noticeable.

Anyway, thatst he latest!

 

[KoltenMooney]

Dealing with that moldy smell after rain or a wash is no fun at all.If you're still coming up empty-handed, it might be worth considering bringing in some outside help. I had a similar issue with mold in my car, and let me tell you, it was a real pain until I got in touch with a professional service.
I had a great experience with a mold remediation company on ssrestore.com. They really knew their stuff and were able to pinpoint the problem and get rid of that funky smell for good. It might be worth reaching out to them for some expert advice.

 

[rlc3]

Any moisture near the floorboards after a rain? If you pull up the floor door liners do you see any water in there?

They checked the drains aren't clogged?

Next time it airs out, get a hose and just pour around the windshield for 5 minutes or so. See if the smell pops up.
If not, then try the roof etc..

I had a leak that initially stumped the "water guy" at the dealership I bought it from. It turned out it was a seal. Only noticed the leak after a huge downour and water was coming from the right oh shit handle.

I have the same issue. 2018 raptor with sunroof. Leaks from passenger oh shit handle after heavy rain. Always smells after rain or car wash. Dealership replaced sunroof. Worked on it 3 times afterwards. Can’t figure it out. Can’t get it to repeat except the smell repeats! Ugh.

 

[REX111]

FOUND IT!
I’ve been having the same problem with my 2017 raptor. Today In WI we’ve had some monsoon like rains. I was pulling apart my interior to install a dash cam front and rear. When I got to the rear I noticed that behind the driver side rear seat it had a strong musty smell. So I pulled the amp, sub and removed the carpet on the back wall of the truck. I noticed that a very small wire harness was soaked. It’s a small harness that runs with the rear window cable. The water seems to be coming in just to the drivers side of the center seat belt under a black tray that the window rod rides in. I grabbed the hose and started spraying the small rear window that opens. No water came in. I then sprayed the top drivers side of the rear window and after about a min I had small drips forming under the black tray that is attached to the rear window on the drivers side.

 

[REX111]

 

[REX111]

 

[REX111]

I don’t want to take it to a dealership and would rather fix this myself. How often do the back window seals go bad on F-150/raptors? Maybe FordTechOne can shed some light on this.