Cab smells like a gym bag after it rains

[Ryan4t4]

Since I've had the truck for about a year and a half, it always smells awful after sitting out in the rain. I've checked everywhere, no wet carpet/headliner, sunroof drains properly, shark fin sits tight, door seals in great shape and nothing on the back wall under the third brake light. Can't find any moisture anywhere within the cabin.

Today while searching everywhere, I noticed that the door-jam between the door and the front finder has this felt/sound deadener that is completely soaked and has quite a bit of wet leaves collected. Is this normal? Seems like a great place for rust to become an issue in the future if this felt stays damp.

Any other suggestions for potential leak locations or what to do about that damp door jam collection area? Thanks in advance.

 

[OC ZR2]

Have you checked and or changed your in cabin filter? If it gets musty and moist, doesn’t have a chance to air out, that may do it. I doubt what you found could do that, but you never know. Smell the area and see if it wreaks

 

[scubatech]

Since I've had the truck for about a year and a half, it always smells awful after sitting out in the rain. I've checked everywhere, no wet carpet/headliner, sunroof drains properly, shark fin sits tight, door seals in great shape and nothing on the back wall under the third brake light. Can't find any moisture anywhere within the cabin.

Today while searching everywhere, I noticed that the door-jam between the door and the front finder has this felt/sound deadener that is completely soaked and has quite a bit of wet leaves collected. Is this normal? Seems like a great place for rust to become an issue in the future if this felt stays damp.

Any other suggestions for potential leak locations or what to do about that damp door jam collection area? Thanks in advance.

Sometimes it can be the air conditioner too. I don't get that out West here, but I would let it vent for a while before shutting off the truck. Leaves are a pain in the ass! I keep them cleaned out. They will migrate into you HVAC system and rot out you heater core and AC unit behind the dash.

 

[MNNJR69]

Since I've had the truck for about a year and a half, it always smells awful after sitting out in the rain. I've checked everywhere, no wet carpet/headliner, sunroof drains properly, shark fin sits tight, door seals in great shape and nothing on the back wall under the third brake light. Can't find any moisture anywhere within the cabin.

Today while searching everywhere, I noticed that the door-jam between the door and the front finder has this felt/sound deadener that is completely soaked and has quite a bit of wet leaves collected. Is this normal? Seems like a great place for rust to become an issue in the future if this felt stays damp.

Any other suggestions for potential leak locations or what to do about that damp door jam collection area? Thanks in advance.

Cabin filter in the lower glove box

 

[Patriot]

Since I've had the truck for about a year and a half, it always smells awful after sitting out in the rain. I've checked everywhere, no wet carpet/headliner, sunroof drains properly, shark fin sits tight, door seals in great shape and nothing on the back wall under the third brake light. Can't find any moisture anywhere within the cabin.

Today while searching everywhere, I noticed that the door-jam between the door and the front finder has this felt/sound deadener that is completely soaked and has quite a bit of wet leaves collected. Is this normal? Seems like a great place for rust to become an issue in the future if this felt stays damp.

Any other suggestions for potential leak locations or what to do about that damp door jam collection area? Thanks in advance.

I haven’t had this issue, but thanks for pointing this out. Mine is garage kept, but sits outside during the workday. No leaves in mine, but I plan to clean this area next time I clean/detail the interior. As others have stated, I plan to replace the cabin air filter every year, before recommended intervals.

I would have your dealership complete the following service:
Cabin Air Filter Replaced, Air Ductwork Disinfected.

 

[AXE]

Have you checked and or changed your in cabin filter? If it gets musty and moist, doesn’t have a chance to air out, that may do it. I doubt what you found could do that, but you never know. Smell the area and see if it wreaks

They also make charcoal filters to help with odors. I actually leave a 6x6 burlap bag of bamboo charcoal in my truck to help eliminate odors. You can get them on Amazon.

Also, in high humidity situations, you can get mold growth in the HVAC system. I sometimes smell this after the air has been run a lot and condensation left behind when you shut off truck. You can spray old school lysol directly into the vent system to kill any mold or mildew. I think GM makes some specific spray for this issue.

 

[AXE]

Since I've had the truck for about a year and a half, it always smells awful after sitting out in the rain. I've checked everywhere, no wet carpet/headliner, sunroof drains properly, shark fin sits tight, door seals in great shape and nothing on the back wall under the third brake light. Can't find any moisture anywhere within the cabin.

Today while searching everywhere, I noticed that the door-jam between the door and the front finder has this felt/sound deadener that is completely soaked and has quite a bit of wet leaves collected. Is this normal? Seems like a great place for rust to become an issue in the future if this felt stays damp.

Any other suggestions for potential leak locations or what to do about that damp door jam collection area? Thanks in advance.

You can sometimes get those leaves cleaned out by removing the inner fender well liner as the seem to accumulate ther and pack up. Also make sure your plastic trim between the window and the hood is in place and tight. I feel like the corner pieces dont fit that well and had one replaced. Otherwise that water wants to run right down the firewall and into that woolen material.

 

[Patriot]

They also make charcoal filters to help with odors. I actually leave a 6x6 burlap bag of bamboo charcoal in my truck to help eliminate odors. You can get them on Amazon.

Also, in high humidity situations, you can get mold growth in the HVAC system. I sometimes smell this after the air has been run a lot and condensation left behind when you shut off truck. You can spray old school lysol directly into the vent system to kill any mold or mildew. I think GM makes some specific spray for this issue.

The Chevy dealership does have a specific product they use to disinfect the entire HVAC system. I believe it is called “BG Frigi-Fresh”. I had mine done last year. It wasn’t that expensive and no issues to report.

 

[OC ZR2]

If you run it on recirc all the time, it'll nasty up your cabin air filter. Before you get to where you're stopping, run it on fresh air to clear it out if you can, it'll help.