Found rust beneath glove box

[desura]

Since buying my 2013 car, there has been this smell that I can't get rid of. It was also missing one of the rear seatbelts which was cut out.

I replaced the seatbelt and today I went to replace the cabin air filter.

I found rust.

Now, I've looked everywhere else on the car. Undercarriage is fine, seat belt anchor is fine. I did find the owners manual which was water damaged beneath a floor compartment.

And the car runs great otherwise.

The engine looks fine. Is there another explanation? Could it have fallen nose first into a lake?

 

[RLGL]

Not good, Flood Damage,,,,,

 

[PottedMeat]

there doesn't seem to be silt on the electrical connectors or wires


maybe someone left the windows open during a storm and let it sit

 

[Greenman]

It's probably the heater coil leaking. That would also explain the odd smell, it's radiator water.

 

[boomerang]

Could be a leak around the windshield. It could have been repaired before you even got the car. Could be a leak from anywhere around that vicinity and the smell could also be mold or mildew in the carpet or the padding under the carpet. As was said it could also be the heater core leaking although it sounds unusual for that new a car.

 

[NutBucket]

Why is the seat belt cut? That's a huge red flag IMHO.

 

[MtnMan]

Congratulations, you own a former submarine, or flood car.

I see many many electrical problems in your future.

 

[desura]

Well, finished the job today.

This is the car without the glovebox.

I was reading up on other forums and they said that the metal inside isn't treated and so humid conditions could cause it. That is plausible.

More to the point, here is the cabin air filter.

 

[Zivic]

the surface rust is nothing notable.

 

[Zivic]

Why is the seat belt cut? That's a huge red flag IMHO.

yes, this is of more concern

 

[twinrider1]

Who's the U-Boat commander?

 

[foghorn67]

Das Sedan

 

[desura]

So there is still a residual smell, I guess some of the bacteria must have found a home in the venting system. It does smell much much better with the cabin filter replaced.

How do I disinfect the rest? Is there like a disinfectant spray with a long hose or something?

 

[lxskllr]

Lysol with a tip modification maybe.

 

[Kenmitch]

So there is still a residual smell, I guess some of the bacteria must have found a home in the venting system. It does smell much much better with the cabin filter replaced.

How do I disinfect the rest? Is there like a disinfectant spray with a long hose or something?

Google auto duct cleaner. Many products on the market .

 

[MongGrel]

Who's the U-Boat commander?

+1

 

[desura]

So I went out and I sprayed a ton of Lysol and then Chlorox into the vent system. seems to have done the trick. Smell is significantly better. Significantly, but not fully. I'm thinking that there might still be bacteria on the upper parts of the vent which are untouched by fluid movements.

How to reach them? Is there a cleaner strong enough that the fumes alone will kill bacteria?

 

[DaTT]

Why was the seat belt cut out?

 

[Midwayman]

FWIW I know some of the MB had an issue where water could get into the glovebox area if you went through a carwash with the HVAC set to fresh air mode. Some people were killing ECUs. Your fan is typically right there and if you're getting some water intrusion I could see that happening.