I bought a used 2006 Monte Carlo LS 1 year ago. 36k miles. It was a rental car prior. It was from a reputable dealer, the car had been detailed, the carpets had a plastic film on them that said "To be removed by dealer only" but I peeled them off by hand because they hadn't done so at delivery.

Regardless, for the better 8 or 9 months (summer and winter) there has been a foot or sock type odor in the car. While off and while running. I've read possible causes of this can be improper A/C drainage or mold in the ventilation system, or mold/mildew in the carpeting.

The thing is, If the A/C or heat is on, the odor is not noticeable, but once I turn the heat or A/C off the odor returns immediately, even with the windows open.

Any insight?

 

this doesnt sound like it but i would check the air filter first, the cabin air filter that is

 

I replaced it very recently (less than 2 months) the odor did not change. Also, the instructions in the package for the cabin air filter simply said to ensure the arrow was going in the direction of airflow, which I assumed was down. But the instructions I found on eHow specifically for the 06 Monte said to ensure the arrow was pointing up. Was that correct?

Also, the odor is present regardless of if the car is running or even in motion, and is immensely less noticable when the A/C or heat is on.

 

Have you checked your feet/socks....sorry I couldnt resist. I wonder if the carpet padding got wet and wasn't dried out properly.

 

Will a routine carpet shampooing help in this case? If the padding underneath is moldy would I have to get it replaced?

 

I don't know but google found me this. Ive never tried it but maybe it would work. Amazon.com: Clean Air Kit: Automotive

 

U should try this
>>>>> ‪Removing Smells From Your Car‬‏ - YouTube
>>>>> Amazon.com: ATP ZE-1 Zeo Trap 2 Lb. Bag: Automotive

 

if the ppl who extracted it prior didnt get the carpet dried completely it can cause odors. It happens when the car was shut all the way up when the carpet is still wet.

Smell the carpet and see if it is strong down there. then you may want to pull up the passenger side and see if the pad is wet. if so you have to replace the pad and clean the carpets


Zeo trap doesnt work. i got some awhile back just for the hell of it. In order to get smells out of a car you have to pinpoint the cause or it will just keep coming back up

 

I did a more thorough sniff test. Here is what I have found:

Upon rolling down the windows, if you smell the weather stripping in the bottom opening where the glass recesses, it smells like BO, both sides.

The passenger side front floor is damp, but only in an 18" diameter spot closer to the seat. It had a rubber floor mat on top of it and both that spot on the carpet and the adjoining spot on the floor mat smell quite badly, like urine almost.

 

I would take the door panels off and make sure the foam inside isn't moldy.

Also I would definitely pull the carpet back and take a look at the foam. You can just go to Home Depot and buy new foam, like what they use under rugs in a house. Cut out the old and place in the new