[Level]

I noticed my car smelled funny when I drove away from the dealer in it. It is a used xB with 60,000 miles. I bought febreeze late at night and sprayed all the fabric and carpets.

This morning I thought I would roll the windows down, take the floormats out, and spray it again. That's when I noticed the passenger side front, back, and driver side back floorboards were very wet. The driver side front is dry.

Dealer is closed today. Called my mechanic friend and he told me it could be an AC drain line, an ac line that is condensating and not insulated, a heater core leak, or it could have a leak in a windshield or body somewhere, or it could have been ran through high water.

I googled it and noticed Scion 1st gen owners having this problem with ac drain line being clogged or slipping off. Gonna let the dealer take care of it tomorrow. Kinda bummed because it would seem they knew about this before selling me the vehicle.

Any input would be appreciated, and I will post what happens at dealer tomorrow.

 

[Brewski]

I think that you are on the right track in taking it back to the dealer...my first thought would be a heater core leak.

Brewski

 

[Level]

I just want to add that I live in Corpus Christi, so we are still using ac every day. It doesn't get very cold here. That doesn't mean the heater core could not be leaking, even though the heater has not been used. It's all just speculation till tomorrow. I thought about using this as a reason to pick something else, but I don't want something else.

 

[gr8scape]

I would think that if it was the heater core you would be smelling anti freeze. Can't wait to find out how you made out at the dealer.

 

[TartanJack]

if straight water, it is related to the a/c system (not sure how our system is plumbed behind the dash). That would be because the water is actually condensation (the cold makes the moisture in the air condense on it-like that "sweat" on a soda can). The condensation is collected by tubes and then to a collection tank. From there, it drains out to the vehicle exterior (what makes the wet shot under the vehicle when parked after running the A/C.
If water, something in the a/c drainage system is loose or cracked. If a tube popped off, it is a matter of reconnecting it. If something is cracked, it can get more complicated . . .
OR, a tube is clogged and behind it backed up.



If smells "odd" (that sweet/pungent antifreeze smell), it is the heater system related. The heater works by a valve opening or closing the engine coolant to flow through a heater core (like the old steam radiators worked). Then air is ducted to blow through the heater core, heat up, then blow into the interior. The heat itself comes from the engine heat, which is why it doesn't get hot till the engine warms up.
If coolant, I'd suspect either a loose hose or a cracked core. As you don't use the heater, it might be a slow leak.


I'm thinking between the 2, it is probably water (no complaint of smell). As you run the a/c a lot, it is likely a loose or clogged hose.

 

[scion]

That much anti freeze would leave a film on the inside of the windows. You didn't mention if you had any rain lately to allow for water to leak in somewhere. I believe that the A/C is leaking condensation into the car instead of flowing it to the outside of the vehicle.

 

[gr8scape]

That much anti freeze would leave a film on the inside of the windows. You didn't mention if you had any rain lately to allow for water to leak in somewhere. I believe that the A/C is leaking condensation into the car instead of flowing it to the outside of the vehicle.

That's why I do not think it is the heater core. I'm hoping that the water came from a door seal. It would be easy enough to test for.

 

[Level]

I took the xB to the dealer service and am in a rental. I told them about the water. I also told them the windshield creaks a lot, especially at highway speeds. The service desk guy (not a mechanic) instantly jumped to the conclusion the two problems were connected. He said the windshield had been replaced at trade in before it went on the lot. It may not have been installed and sealed properly.

I don't think so. There has not been any rain in our area that I know of. I didn't run it through a car wash. But there is the possibility that it did rain recently before I got the car and I was not aware of it, or in that particular area. They could have ran it through a car wash or hosed it off. But wouldn't the detailer notice wet floorboards?

It does stink but I can't say that I would know how antifreeze would smell leaked out into the carpet. You would think that would be a very distinct smell. This smells stinky, like wet carpet padding inside a small enclosed area without circulation, kinda mixed in with a faint cleaning chemical smell of a new or detailed car.

After touching the carpet and getting your fingers wet they are very slippery, but that could be some kind of upholstery cleaner I guess.

I did not notice any film on the windows.

I will update when I find something out.

 

[zinger]

There is a thread about creaking at the base of the windshield. I just took mine in to get it fixed. Toyota has a noise dampening kit with foam and such in it. They foamed the clips at the bottom of the windshield and the noise went away. You might call the service dept. and suggest they do that too while they have it.

As for antifreeze smell open the radiator cap (when the car is cool!) and take a whiff. Alternately (and safer) take the cap off the plastic overflow tank and smell it there.

 

[Level]

There is a thread about creaking at the base of the windshield. I just took mine in to get it fixed. Toyota has a noise dampening kit with foam and such in it. They foamed the clips at the bottom of the windshield and the noise went away. You might call the service dept. and suggest they do that too while they have it.

Ah, very good info. Thanks.