New Member,break ice with a question? Cool site also!

[Pipelinerxxx]

I just bought a 2003 350Z Touring Coupe and after it sat in the heat, I could smell what appears to be a musty smell like an interior water leak.
I tried the search tool "interior leak" and came up with no results.

I also have water droplets inside right rear tailing lens.
Not sure if they are related.
If there are any common issues regarding this, I would greatly appreciate your advise and responses.
This site looks top notch and members seem to be knowledgeable.
I'll always try to help others if I can.
But I wont try to spout anything I haven't personally had experience with.
Certainly don't want to mislead anyone.
Thanks for your time and look forward to being a member here!

[krazy skwerelette]

Do you have a sunroof? if so check the Drain tubes for the sunroof. The rear taillights are most likely condensation in the taillight housing. Another is to change your in-cabin filter. I recently changed mine on my 03 G35 and it took the musty smell away.

Here's some info from a different sit that I found about how to locate the drains:
In the rear passenger side fender area there are two drain hoses, one from the antenna motor and one from the sunroof. In the bottom of the fender there is a small pot-metal y-shaped piece that both hoses plug into and then that y-piece is shoved through a rubber gasket to the outside world. This y-shaped piece rusts and may cause blockage and overflowing.

[Pipelinerxxx]

Thanks for reply. I dont have a sunroof and there isnt a cabin filter on the 350Z as I just found out.
I was thinking maybe some kind of other drain was plugged. I cant find any physical wetness inside the cab, but I used to have a 300ZX with T-tops that leaked when I got it and the smell from the damaged carpet smelled just like the smell Im noticing now.
Ill pull the rear taillight and dry it out if I can. Its reallllly wet inside like a crack on a seam or something. The left tailight is fine. Ill keep searching for the source of the odor, it drives me nuts when I get in from bad past experience of my 300ZX.
Thanks again.
P.S. careful letting the little ones drive, you'll always end up at Toys-R-Us.

[BusyBadger]

You could try using lysol, plenty of it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrVc_FXrbHY#t=154[/youtube]

As far as the leaky tails go, if you don't spot any cracks check the seals. If the previous owner had to change a bulb the seal may have gotten cut or kinked when the lens was put back on and compromised the water resistance. Let us know what you find. And head over to the 350Z General section and introduce yourself and the Z!

Welcome to NICO!

[Pipelinerxxx]

Hi Badger(posted in general a minute ago)
A/C doesnt seem to be the problem.
I can see some light gray sloching on the charcoal gray leather seat on the backs of them. It definitely had or gets water inside some where. Carpet looks new, so I guess I'll pull up the front and rear carpet and check for bad underpadding. Im persistant as heck, like a pit bull. I will find it if I have to take the entire interior out. Its too nice a car to deal with that.

[BusyBadger]

Even though it may not be the AC the funk may very well be in the ductwork and not the actual AC components as in the vid.

You could always just cover up the smell with one of those Meguiars new car smell deodorizer, but I'm personally a proponent of fixing causes instead of treating problems.

Do you live in or rather, was the car purchased from a high humidity area?

[djwarner]

You may not have a leak at all. Rain intrusion from an open window will allow mold and mildew to grow in rain soaked carpets. I once bought a mustang convertible for cheap because it had a BO smell. A few soaks with Fabreeze took care of it.

A smoke generator can be used to check for leaks, but you also need a way of pressurizing the interior. Because of the specialized equipment required, it may be worth a trip to the dealer if Fabreeze doesn't do it.

[Pipelinerxxx]

Thanks for the input. The discoloration on the backs of the seat leather has made me suspects leak. Maybe it was fixed already though. I'll keep you informed on future finds or solutions. I'll try the air duct clean and check carpet under padding.
Once certain I'm clear I'll recover the seats that are discolored.