excessdetail

i have a question i just redid a 97 tahoe 4dr. new paint new leather new headliner, carpet but it still smells like a grandma car when you turn the heater on it smells old and grandma like. there is not a cabin filter in that year tahoe anyone have any ideas
thanks

sprucegoose

Hey, the truck is 10 years old you know... Isn't that like 70 in "truck years" ?!?

My guess would be that you have a lot of crap like leaves, dust, and debris in your heater core fins or in the fresh air intake area at the base of the windshield. I would start there, especially if it is a truck that has been parked outside a lot among trees. That screen that they put over that area, at the base of the windshield can be removed, and you can vacuum it all clear and flush it good with water.

There is a chance that you have a slight coolant leak in the heater core as well, that can give a musty smell in the interior too of course. I would think you would have noticed if it had damp carpet though...

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~Dave~

'08 Chevy HHR SS, Victory Red, 5 spd. 2.0L Turbo, 45K mi.
'98 Buick Riviera, Black, 3.8L Super-Charged, 217K mi.
'98 Chevy Tahoe LT, 5.7 Vortec, Black 233K mi.
'70 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400, 4spd 200k+ mi., in process restoration

excessdetail

ya i know it is old but it looks like new
thanks for your reply i will start there at the windshield. my carpet is not wet so i dont think it is the heater core the truck dosnt smell bad at all until i turn on the heater any other ideas? ive thought about taking out the blower motor and cleaning it up
i dont know

abaird

Make sure the drain for the HVAC box isnt plugged. Fungus can grow on the evaporator and make a musty smell. They make a spray for that.

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2009 Silverado 1500
2002 Camaro Z28(rebuilder)
2005 Yamaha GP1300R

MisterTAW

I see you are having the same problems as I do. The funny thing is I sometimes smell antifreeze from the vents for about a second then it goes away. Never any wetness or signs of a leak. I would like to clean both the heater core and the evaporator of any dust that can soak up smells like cigarette smoke. I Wonder if there is a retrofit filter kit that will catch the crud and dust before it gets sucked into the ducts. Opening the system looks like a real chore.