Wet/Mildew Smell with A/C or Heat

[FirstTimeJeepYooper]

Ever since I purchased my GCL Summit Reserve, there has been a wet/mildew-like odor coming out of the HVAC. Whether I have it set to air conditioning or heat, this smell can come on instantly and last for anywhere from 10-15 minutes. I constantly have to switch from drawing fresh air and recirculating the cabin air to keep the smell at bay. It gets significantly worse after going through carwashes and driving in the rain. I pulled the air filter (which is ridiculously complex to do) and there was no odor on it and it appeared to be new and clean. Is anyone aware of a location that moisture may be ponding before getting pulled through the cabin ventilation? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bbiggers340]

You know what, I know what you talking about. I think my brain just had to write it off as this can’t possibly be another problem

 

[eleceng1979]

When did you take delivery? Or build date? I guess a July/August build and September- October delivery?

Remember this?

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE PLANT FLOODS, ENTIRE SHIPPING YARD FULL OF VEHICLES AFFECTED

Stellantis Mack Avenue plant has flooded, leaving hundreds of 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Dodge Durangos and other vehicles water damaged.

www.musclecarsandtrucks.com

Buy a cheap home mold test kit from Home Depot or lowes, place it inside and see if it is mold.

 

[Boggswade]

I don’t know if this is relevant or not but my Summit Reserve had a water leak. The area under the drivers floor mat was wet. It is still in the shop and the dealer is saying that there is a service bulletin stating that the windshield may leak and must be resealed. Perhaps this could have created a musty smell in your car.

 

[FirstTimeJeepYooper]

When did you take delivery? Or build date? I guess a July/August build and September- October delivery?

Remember this?

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE PLANT FLOODS, ENTIRE SHIPPING YARD FULL OF VEHICLES AFFECTED

Stellantis Mack Avenue plant has flooded, leaving hundreds of 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Dodge Durangos and other vehicles water damaged.

www.musclecarsandtrucks.com

Buy a cheap home mold test kit from Home Depot or lowes, place it inside and see if it is mold.

Interesting. I was completely unaware of this... My build date was 7/21, and delivery date was 9/21. I will be purchasing a mold test kit tonight. I really appreciate your insight on this!!

 

[eleceng1979]

I don’t know if this is relevant or not but my Summit Reserve had a water leak. The area under the drivers floor mat was wet. It is still in the shop and the dealer is saying that there is a service bulletin stating that the windshield may leak and must be resealed. Perhaps this could have created a musty smell in your car.

I was unaware of this. To be honest I stopped looking for more problems. Be aware that any part of the window leaking would allow water in and also it could easily run down different sides. I would guess any leak would be on either side, near the A pillar or under the center of the front dash. The OP clearly said it is worse with car washes or rain. A leaking window seal is highly likely. I have suspected the flooded vehicles were stripped and their parts reused is a theory of mine, some say a conspiracy theory. My vehicle was of similar build date and it seems to me that early builds are the worst.

 

[Boggswade]

I was unaware of this. To be honest I stopped looking for more problems. Be aware that any part of the window leaking would allow water in and also it could easily run down different sides. I would guess any leak would be on either side, near the A pillar or under the center of the front dash. The OP clearly said it is worse with car washes or rain. A leaking window seal is highly likely. I have suspected the flooded vehicles were stripped and their parts reused is a theory of mine, some say a conspiracy theory. My vehicle was of similar build date and it seems to me that early builds are the worst.

My car has generally speaking been pretty good and is a very early build, 5/21 and I purchased it off the truck in 7/21. The leak on mine is the upper left corner. Supposed to be completed tomorrow.

 

[FirstTimeJeepYooper]

I don’t know if this is relevant or not but my Summit Reserve had a water leak. The area under the drivers floor mat was wet. It is still in the shop and the dealer is saying that there is a service bulletin stating that the windshield may leak and must be resealed. Perhaps this could have created a musty smell in your car.

I'll have my dealer look into that at the first service coming up soon. That would make sense why it's even worse after rain or car washes.

 

[Boggswade]

I'll have my dealer look into that at the first service coming up soon. That would make sense why it's even worse after rain or car washes.

An update on my water leak. It turns out it was not coming from the windshield, it was coming from poorly made rubber door seals. It will take another week for new seals to arrive but at least they found the source of the leak.

 

[eleceng1979]

if the door seals are leaking, what are they making wet to smell like mildew? I would be checking the carpet underneath the mats. 2nd row has vents in B pillar, maybe water inside the ducts? If true, the ducts need cleaned to get rid of the smell. Water by itself doesn’t smell, mold does, it gives off smells that can vary at different stages of growth.

 

[Boggswade]

if the door seals are leaking, what are they making wet to smell like mildew? I would be checking the carpet underneath the mats. 2nd row has vents in B pillar, maybe water inside the ducts? If true, the ducts need cleaned to get rid of the smell. Water by itself doesn’t smell, mold does, it gives off smells that can vary at different stages of growth.

The carpet under my driver floor mat is what was wet allegedly due to the bad seals. My car did not smell though. I was simply offering up a potential solution because one may not know the mats were wet unless they look.