Why does my car cover make the car stink?

[Kroggers]

I recently bought myself a breathable outdoor cover for my 911, to protect my investment in a new paint job. I am following the instructions to the letter - making sure the car is dry before putting on the cover etc. If I leave the car under the cover for just a night or a short time, all is OK. But if I leave it for a longer period of time (normally more than a week), the car really starts to stink inside - like a damp closed in smell (
Now I have a completely new carpet in there (fitted this year), no leaks (full window out paint job this year), and a good new car smell normally. The bad smell will go away after a day if I leave the windows open etc...

Is this normal with covers, or is there something wrong with my cover?

[RickM]

My car is kept inside undr a cover (Tyvek) and after a while it develops a "stale" smell. I ran into this product while on vacation last month. I put it into the car and it works quite well. It's also inexpensive.

Things that can produce odors are moisture, rodents and any organic material left behind. Are you heater vents closed?

Odor Eliminator: http://www.gonzocorp.com/odor.htm

"The volcanic crystals have a negative charge that traps positively charged odor particles. The process is similar to a piece of metal being attracted to a magnet. These products are ideal for ridding your house, refrigerator or car of unpleasant odors. The Gonzo Odor Eliminators are also long lasting. The crystals can be recharged by placing them in direct sun light for 6 hours. Once recharged they are as good as new."

[Hugh R]

I'll bet you have wet carpets somewhere. Check everywhere.

[Kroggers]

I am 100% sure I do not have wet carpets, as it is new, and was installed this year after a complete window out paint job. I am completely sure that there is no water anywhere in the car.

[svandamme]

you can buy these dehumidifiers , they use em in wet cellars and such
they basically suck moister from the air

put that in the car , and it will be bone dry. just replace, or refill the thing from time to time

[ruf-porsche]

Mold or Mildew or both. You got to recirculate the air under those cover.

[Por_sha911]

My theory: If you put the cover on right after a run, you will have humidity in the hot air from the engine compartment. When things cool down you will get condensation. I try to wait until the engine is cool before I cover the whale tail. Worth a try?

[Evans, Marv]

Another thing I've used to eliminate moisture is called "Dryz It " (if I remember right). I bought it from WalMart. It has a small plastic cage with a cup under it. You buy bags of the desicant that look like little styrofoam beads and put them in the cage. They absorb the moisture and the moisture drops into the cup below. You empty the cup periodically and refill the cage when it gets close to empty. It worked well while my '69 was stored under a cover.