I just purchased a 2003 F-150 Reg Cab 4x4. It hasn't been that great... I have had some other problems fixed but before I bought it it was sitting in a lot and we have had tons of rain this year. The dealer said he had no idea water was leaking into the back of the cab. (That's a lie I'm sure, he lied quite a bit) I have this musty, mildewy maybe moldy odor. My head gets stuffed up when in the truck and my throat get scratchy. I have a long ride to work and now I'm $6,000 in the hole. Is there anything I can do to properly fix the problem.

 

Did you seal up the leak and if you did I would pull out the back seat and scrub the carpet real good as that would drive mee nuts sounds like you have allergies just like me

 

That's the thing. The floors are vinyl but there is cloth seats and cloth under the rear window. They did seal it up.

 

There is insulation under your rubber mat you may have to remove it and let it dry

 

How would I go about doing that? Is it a complicated procedure? This truck has been nothing but headaches and this is only the 2nd or 3rd day of driving it after buying it over a week ago.

 

You are going to have to remove the carpet and the padding under it down to the bare metal. Dry the floor real good. Let the carpet and padding dry in the sun real good. Fix the leak (search the forum, lots of posts) then you can replace the padding and carpet and it's done.
No, not a really big deal. It is possible the dealer did not know there was a leak because I had a leak in the winshield of my Crown Vic and kept getting a musky stink smell in the car. It wasn't until the carpet felt like jello that I realized water was leaking under the carpet. I dried the carpet, had the leak fixed by a windshield place (it was the putty the factory uses to seal seams in the firewall), end of story.
Leaks are common to all cars and not really a big deal.
And this brings up another reason I love my F150 - it has rubber "carpet" which is what a truck should have with all the mud, water, etc. that ends up in a truck that is used like a truck.
I vacuum it, then wipe it with a damp cloth, good as new.

 

Are there instructions on removing the floor and padding? Also, what should I use on the seat to clean it, which also got wet. Thanks

 

It's actually easy. Just look at the carpet and see what has to be removed to allow you take the carpet out. Your carpet if probably in several sections unless you have a bench seat. The carpet it not glued, so you just carefully remove it after removing the trim pieces and parts that hold it down (you can see all of them) For upholstery, I always use spray fabric/upholstery cleaner you can get at any discount store.
Hey, anyone who has the word "farm" or "farmer" in their screen name is alright by me.
Here is a good video but you don't have to worry about the new carpet issues.

 

I do have a bench seat... That's my concern do i need to take the whole seat out?

 

Thanks for the video. I do have the bench seat. Does that mean the seat has to come out? This video doesn't look to be a specific vehicle.

Thanks