06 Optima concerns

Opti2 · 07-25-2006, 08:48 PM

I just recently (2 weeks ago) bought an Optima and I have this mildew smell in the car that came after a good rain. Took it to the dealership and they placed some BG cleaning chemicals into it. Does anyone else have this problem? And if so, Has the smell came back?

Daytonabob · 07-26-2006, 08:26 AM

There is no reason that your 06 should be leaking rain to the interior of the car. They need to find the source of the leak and fix that, rather than adding chemicals to mask the smell. Mildew is dangerous to your health. The water is getting to the underside of the carpet. It has to be pulled from the car, and replaced. Since it is an 06, it certainly is under warranty.

Schnauzer · 07-26-2006, 02:49 PM

Don't settle on having a mildew smell if it has returned. Has it? Seals in the sunroof is a likely area as well as front windshield and trunk lid. It is all covered by warranty.

Opti2 · 07-27-2006, 07:27 AM

They said it was coming from rain getting in the vents near the windsheild wipers. The did a messy job of spraying mildew cleaner inside all of the vents, but I guess I'll find out if it works shen I wet the car down really well.
Can anyone refer me to a reputable Kia service tech in the north Atlanta area? They said their "fix" is only good for 12,000 miles. Everytime I take it in (scratch repair, keyless entry installed, BG cleaning, it comes back with something else cosmetically wrong (rip in window sealer, hole in heat sheild in hood, oil mark in and on car from the greasy chemical they used).
By the way, the guy at the Kia 800 number said that the musty smell was a problem that they have heard of before. He swore to me that the chemical they used would kill it forever. I'm hopeing this is the case.
Reputable service techs?

ahfrederick · 07-28-2006, 11:24 PM

Wow, sorry to hear about that. That does suck. Hope you get the problem resolved!

Psychlopath · 03-03-2007, 04:16 PM

Except for the fact that it's two weeks old, I'd take some white vinegar and mix it with water and pour into the vents infront of the window.

Took the smell of cat poo out of my Eclipse after I had the misfortune of having a cat crap there.