Seeking advice: Normal smell or Interior damaged by Ozone?

Ohhhh WOOSH

 

Put all your windows up.
Let out a nasty fart while sitting inside the truck, stay in long enough to be sure the gas isnt trapped in your shorts.
Get out of the truck and let it sit in the hot sun for a few hours.
Re-enter the truck and tell us what you smell.

 

Sounds good - will report back tomorrow morning

 

Any evidence the previous owner was a smoker or a pet owner? Any evidence of water damage or mold? That might explain extensive ozone treatment.

Another cause might be DEET bug spray. That would definitely mess up those ‘arm contact’ areas of your truck. Not sure about the underside surfaces.

 

Ozone machines are used to remove the smell of cigarettes from cars. It works, but the side effect is the vehicle will have an ozone stench that will never completely leave the vehicle.

Activated charcoal can help absorb odors too, but I'd consider giving the vehicle back to Carvana if it bothers you that much.

 

Yes there was white dog hairs matted into the interior and there are the typical claw parks along the hard interior plastics in the back of the car.

 

Yep - that (ozone) could be the typical ‘response’ by the dealer, to eliminate any pet odors.

Depending on treatment, ozone could cause that type of damage.

 

I ran this by the most well known and respected Toyota master technician in my county - he suspects the same thing. I’m talking to an attorney on Monday - either going to be a dealer fraud issue or some insurance issue - not sure yet.

 

Go get em brother! I too think this was over-ozoned to cover something up. But it's going to be tough to prove this was malicious. You'll be lucky if they "fess up" to a mistake. But that's why a good attorney is valuable. Just in case, have a number in your head on when to cut your losses. Good luck!

 

If your keeping the truck, here's what dealt with the awful wet dog smell my mechanic didn't think would come out...

1) Miracle Care's "Skunks, Etc" cleaning the entire interior at least three times... followed by wet carpet/upholstery cleaning.

Adding step: with cabin filter removed, AC on high and recirculate Off... just before bed... open the hood and spray regular Lysol into the fresh air intake for the cabin... at firewall. Let run a few minutes. Then let stand with windows closed overnight. Allow at least 30 minutes to leave open before next drive.

2) Deep clean center console by disassembling it to see what drinks were spilled by prior owner.

3) Rain guards, allowing smells to safely exit 24x7. I've been using WeatherTech for 20yrs because the fronts come all the way down, stopping rain water from coming in by the side mirrors while driving.

4) HEPA+Charcoal cabin filter. Buy two on Amazon so can trade out 1st early. HEPA captures very small odor molecules.

5) I also like Chemical Guy's leather-scent if my own dog has left a wet dog smell.