Mold inside
Posted by amodnymous@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I have an Audi S4 that needs work and has been stored in the garage for a few years. It’s developed a lot of mold inside. The car has never had any leaks in the seals. Any ideas as to how I can keep it from happening again? Garage isn’t heated or air conditioned.
chucky5150@reddit
I have just plugged a dehumidifier in. Car sits for weeks at a time while I work out of town. Wife just checks it once a week. That has worked a lot better than the DampRaid product. This is in Louisiana and the car lives the hobo life out in the weather.
rsgoto11@reddit
If you live in a humid climate interior mold just happens when a car sits for months without being used. I put damp rid in my vehicle when I know it’s going to sit. It’s also a good idea to put mothball packs in the engine bay to keep rodents away.
v8packard@reddit
You need to clean it up. Suggest you also use an ozone generator to soak the inside of the car, they can be rented. Once clean, can you keep the garage dry, or promote airflow through the garage?
amodnymous@reddit (OP)
Okay, The garage generally is dry. The drain in the middle has backed up a few times. Should I crack the car windows?
v8packard@reddit
Probably, and keep that drain from backing up.
washapoo@reddit
Clean the seats with a mold inhibitor and put desiccant packs in it.
b5-avant@reddit
What generation S4? Was it damp inside when you parked it?
amodnymous@reddit (OP)
It’s a B5 (2000) 6 speed with 80k . It was bone dry when I Parked it. I use to drive it a lot and then it needed an alternator and a few things for inspection. It’s Been sitting for a few years now.
b5-avant@reddit
I’d still check your sunroof drains, battery drain, and hood release grommet. I’ve had issues with these on my B5 letting moisture in and you wouldn’t really know it’s wet unless you feel the carpet under the seats.
amodnymous@reddit (OP)
Okay, Thank you! I will check them. My sister has a VW Toureg and the sunroof plugs got clogged and it was leaking inside extremely bad.
beermaker@reddit
There are moisture absorbers you can place inside, but depending on how damp they get they'll have to be swapped out regularly.
They've also got gigantic bags you can essentially vacuum seal your car into. Pretty expensive last I saw.