Windshield Fogging and Interior Odor - 2015 V6

[2015V6Fla]

All:

I have a 2015 V6 that has some weird interior "issues". I figured I'd check here first before heading to the dealership. I searched the forums and didn't find any related threads; hence, this post.

My interior (stock cloth seats) has a stale cigarette smoke like smell to it. I've sprayed Lysol through the exterior intake vents and I've sprayed Febreeze in the interior a number of times, but the smell keeps coming back. I changed the cabin filter and that mitigated the odor for a while, but it's back now. Any ideas?

My idea of what's causing the odor may also be causing excessive interior window fogging. I, personally, think it's the fabric or the cushion material emitting gases as the car ages (almost a year old now and located in Florida). I have a regular build up of film on the insides of the windows, with the windshield seeing the heaviest accumulation. It also seems to be worse in the warmer weather.

So, given that basic info, what say you? My fear is that I just have to wait for the interior materials to finish their "curing" process and the problem should go away. But, if anyone else had the issue and was able to resolve it, I'd love to hear that, too, before I head to the dealership.

Thanks!!

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[HavasuCat]

Have you checked your coolant level?

 

[jasonstang]

If you've been using AC and not drying out the system before turning it off, it will grow mildew which smells rancid when you turn it on the next time.
Try running the fan on mid-high with AC turned off at least 30 seconds before shutting the car off to dry out the condenser.
As for fogging, it's just new interior gassing out oil which gets deposited on the glass.

 

[2015V6Fla]

Have you checked your coolant level?

I haven't, but I will. Can you elaborate about this theory? I haven't heard this before. Just wondering...

Thanks

 

[2015V6Fla]

If you've been using AC and not drying out the system before turning it off, it will grow mildew which smells rancid when you turn it on the next time.
Try running the fan on mid-high with AC turned off at least 30 seconds before shutting the car off to dry out the condenser.
As for fogging, it's just new interior gassing out oil which gets deposited on the glass.

I'll give that a try, although I'll admit I'm skeptical because my 2014 Mustang didn't have the smell and my wife's 2015 Edge doesn't, either. I have always cut off my vehicles without cutting off the A/C, but, hey, I'm willing to try it.

My hunch was the interior "curing", so I'll just deal with it.

Thanks!

 

[jasonstang]

I haven't, but I will. Can you elaborate about this theory? I haven't heard this before. Just wondering...

Thanks

He was thinking the heater coil might have a small leak.

 

[Tommy V]

Yep check and see if your carpet is wet or damp up in the footwells.Sometimes leaking heater cores cause the windshield to fog.

 

[2015V6Fla]

Yep check and see if your carpet is wet or damp up in the footwells.Sometimes leaking heater cores cause the windshield to fog.

Copy that. I've had that happen on some older cars ('88 Mustang GT, actually), but haven't checked this one. Will do that.

Thanks

 

[MikeD1]

If you've been using AC and not drying out the system before turning it off, it will grow mildew which smells rancid when you turn it on the next time.
Try running the fan on mid-high with AC turned off at least 30 seconds before shutting the car off to dry out the condenser.
As for fogging, it's just new interior gassing out oil which gets deposited on the glass.

If it smells like dirty gym socks, it's a safe bet this is your issue !

Vinyl out-gasses it's entire life and slowly dries out (and becomes brittle/cracks). There is more out gassing when it's new & hence more window 'haze'.

 

[Sighlense]

Ever figure out what was causing the fogging? My car doesn't have the smell, but the inside of the windshield sure does fog up. I am constantly cleaning it with various products but i can never completely get rid of the streaks. Been in the garage for the winter and the windshield is covered with some kind of film.

 

[jasonstang]

Ever figure out what was causing the fogging? My car doesn't have the smell, but the inside of the windshield sure does fog up. I am constantly cleaning it with various products but i can never completely get rid of the streaks. Been in the garage for the winter and the windshield is covered with some kind of film.

Interior plastics do give off gas and deposit on the windshield.
Try some glass cleaner and a clean microfiber towel to wipe it off.
I use invisible glass from walmart and it works great.

 

[Mulestang]

My wife's '15 V6 had what I thought was excessive film build up on the inside of the windshield over time. I knew that plastics gas out and can cause a film, but this seemed to be getting worse with time. Then, her a/c stopped cooling properly. Long story short, the evaporator was leaking, causing the loss in a/c performance, as well as the film on the windshield.

 

[Sighlense]

Interior plastics do give off gas and deposit on the windshield.
Try some glass cleaner and a clean microfiber towel to wipe it off.
I use invisible glass from walmart and it works great.

Just got some and will try the microfiber towel. Really hope the a/c isn't leaking. Reading up it seems to be a problem with these cars. Maybe i should get it into the shop before i tune it and the warranty runs out.

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