The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Musty smell in heater

I have a musty, "mousy" smell when I turn on my heater or AC (1965 C20). I think that when my truck was in a barn for two years waiting for me to buy it some mice got into the heater hoses and did their thing. I am wondering how I can remedy this. I have heard that I can spray an antibacterial spray (like Fantastic) into the cowl with the blower going and the spray would get sucked into the hoses. Has anyone had experience with this?

Back when I was in the shop, we had an AC man that would spray "Lysol" disinfectant spray into the return duct. I don't know how long it lasted but it sure smelled fresh when it left the shop. That "fantastic" can be a mess and I don't care for the smell. Just my 2cents.

if the defrost tubes themselves smell mousey, replace them, you won't get rid of the smell otherwise, but most likely there's some nesting material in the heater box, your best bet is to take it all apart and give it a good clean out

Bill

Wow, nice truck! Thanks for your advice. This sounds like a stupid question but what is the return duct? Is it the cowl?

Thanks Bill. It probably is in the heater box.
Rob

Check the ducts as mentioned, dust/critters/coins...


Take the top panel off the top of the heater box in the engine compartment and clean out the leaves...

heater core might be leaking and funkin' up the joint.

heater box pics - 1965 c10

-W

W - thanks for the info and great photos. Rob

get a box of dryer sheets and put some sheets in the cab and where ever you can stick them in short time the existing smell will be relaced with something more pleasant. supposed to keep the mice out too but i dont know cause my cats took care of that some time ago

Sounds like Dirty Sock Syndrome. Chrysler products get it really bad if you don't turn the AC off for a few minutes before turning the vehicle off. The box stays wet and the bacteria grow like crazy. I've rarely had that issue with other vehicles. Maybe they're engineered to drain better??? If you have something plugging the drain so you have water sitting in the box that could be the issue.

Thanks 51 and Tiny. I appreciate your input in this discussion. I am quite sure the smell is coming from mouse stuff in the heating system. I am familiar with this because I had a pop-up camper. The mice camped in it every winter despite my countless efforts in keeping them out (even including dryer sheets) and eventually ruined it. I know the smell all too well. I will look into your ideas too.