Horrible A/C Smell

[Sideswipe]

LOL! funny

I've never had this problem. What dirty booty you be bringing in your FX bootyhunter?

 

[neva4self]

I have this problem as well, if any one finds a permanent solution please share. I was literally going to spend this week to have my cabin filter replaced early to see if that helps. Glad I came across this thread first. It's definetly annoying and I can see how it might be embarrassing if you have new company in the car lol.

 

[jakisbck]

I always blame the new company ````

 

[BootyHunter57]

I've never had this problem. What dirty booty you be bringing in your FX bootyhunter?

Only the cleanest of booties come along with me. No dirty ass allowed

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A

---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 PM ----------

I have this problem as well, if any one finds a permanent solution please share. I was literally going to spend this week to have my cabin filter replaced early to see if that helps. Glad I came across this thread first. It's definetly annoying and I can see how it might be embarrassing if you have new company in the car lol.

I sprayed mine again and all is well. No more recirculation air for a while.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A

 

[neva4self]

AC evaporators tend to get mold build up on them. While the car is running and AC blasting, take a can of Lysol (or generic equivalent) and spray it down into the AC air inlets at the cowls near the windshield wipers. May take a can or two and may need to do it once or twice a year.

Are these the vents that are at the bottom of the front windshield by the back of the hood? I have this smell now it's so bad I can smell it even with no A/C on for the first minute or so while driving. Just want to be certain where to spay the cleaner.

Also is there rubber anywhere in the vents that you guys know of? I was thinking about spraying Tilex into the vents. Even though it's primarily used to clean tubs and shower beds, I use it to clean my plastic patio chairs when they start to look weathered and it works wonders on the white chairs. I know it will certainly kill any mold but it can't be applied to rubber as it is so strong it eats away at rubber over time.

 

[MTN FX]

Another thing to check is your battery I had a rotten egg smell coming in through my vents and it turned out to be a bad battery. The battery is right by the intake at back of hood. Another improvement is to replace the plain paper cabin filter with a carbon activated one.

 

[Cruiser]

I had this issue before. I deodorized my vehicle using 3 products in a span of 3 month treatment.

First, I used the common humble household Lysol disinfectant spray. This is to kill mildew build up and molds within the air ducts.

1. Close all windows. Run air on re-circulation mode. Spray Lysol directly into the recirculation vents found at the footwell on both passenger and driver side. Driver side can be found near the right side transmission tunnel wall. Passenger side is found by the left side transmission tunnel wall.
2. Spray lysol directly into all vents (driver's, passenger and rear passenger vents).
3. Continue to let the car run idle on recirculation mode for about 10mins. Add 5 mins extra if necessary.
   
4. Switch off A/C and turn fan on fresh air mode on high setting.
5. With all windows closed, spray Lysol directly into the fresh air intake vents found just below the front windshield near both wiper arm mounts.
6. Let car run for 10 mins.
7. Switch off engine and open the window halfway. Let the car sit overnight.

The car will smell Lysol for at least 3 days. Better to take than the musty smell. It will eventually fade and dissipate. You will notice a big improvement with the odor waning off but may not be completely eradicated.

When all of the Lysol odor is completely gone. In my case about 3 to 4 days. Use below product. Instructions are on the bottler. Similar procedure as above.

Minder Research, Inc. Clean Air Air-Heat Duct Freshener for Cars, Trucks a EM394




After 3 months, I followed up with this product: Meguiar's Air Freshener, New Car - Walmart.com

 

[Cruiser]

Another good practice, when about 3 miles to your destination, it is advisable to switch off the A/C and use fan only to dry any condensation build up within the vents.

In my case, I also stopped using regular cabin air filter and has been using carbon activated filter. FRAM carries one.

 

[neva4self]

Another thing to check is your battery I had a rotten egg smell coming in through my vents and it turned out to be a bad battery. The battery is right by the intake at back of hood. Another improvement is to replace the plain paper cabin filter with a carbon activated one.

I just had my battery replaced about three weeks ago. I had the smell before I had it replaced and it's still there. I hadn't smelled it for a long time. I'm guessing because of winter and the cold but now that the seasons are changing over to humidity it back and it's bad. It's so bad it literally turns my stomach for the first three minutes I'm in the car. Whatever it is has to get rectified asap.

 

[Cruiser]

Whichever route you go, you needed time to get rid of the odor by killing the micro organisms that's producing the bad odor. You can use powerful deodorizers that basically only masks the odor but does not stop the source.

Try the 2nd product I have posted above. In my case, I was able to get rid of the odor in 4 days. The Meguiars product I used on the 3rd month is basically just an overkill. It is me concerned that the odor might return.

Check out this vids:

 

[WiND DANCE]

So 2 vents in the footwell on the transmission tunnel are not for blowing at your feet?

 

[Cruiser]

You are actually right. I stand corrected. The footwell is for vents to bleed air for your feet. The air intake is said to be located somewhere below the glove compartment. The instruction on the can indicates that is where the air recirculate vent. Probably referring to a different vehicle.

 

[WiND DANCE]

I only say this because I tried today and the Lysol went back to my face.. Fail on my part