A/C mold smell

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Does anyone else have a molded smell after using the defrost or a/c and parking the truck for a while?Odor goes away after a couple of minutes if a/c is on but on vent it last a while.

 

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I've had it a little. I spray some Lysol in the vent and that takes care of it.

Steve

 

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Ramman, I had the same smell the day I picked up the truck at the dealer. Still have the same smell today, 6 months later. I tried Lysol and Febreze and bottom line is it makes no difference - still have smell for a short while after turning on. All I can figure is that it something in the vent material that will eventually go away (hopefully).

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Stan

2001 2500 SLT+ Quad Cab, 6 speed, ETH, 4X4, LWB, 3. 54 LSD Trailer Tow, Camper Special, 241HD, Tow Mirrors, Bright White, Line-X Bedliner, Putco Boss SS running boards, A. R. E. K Series Truck Cap, Reese Titan V Hitch, 2WD Low, DD 4" exhaust, BD exhaust brake, Isspro Boost and EGT gauges, Mag-Hytec rear cover with Amsoil Series 2000 75W-90 synthetic, Amsoil Dual-Remote Cummins Oil Filtration System (full-flow & by-pass); Practical Solutions Boost Module/Elbow

 

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I have that same smell when I fire it up in the morning only once a day. I have not tried any thing yet. Could it be the water drain area keeping some water and then smelling moldy? Where is the intake vent at? It won't do any good spraying the outlet vents that is for sure.

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2001/3500/6X6/4. 10 LSD/AT/K&N/NOT BOMBED DUE TO WARRANTY/NAZI MONITORING

 

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Had the same problem with our 96 Chrysler, although not with the 97 Dodge pickup. You can by some spray at a parts store to spray down in air intake (cowl in front of the widshield), or you can do what I do with the Chrysler. Before shutting the A/C down, turn the A/C off, but with the blower fan running until warm air blows out. (30 seconds??) This seems to dry out the residual water that remains in the system and gets smelling "musty" next time you turn on the A/C Hope it works for you.

 

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I have tried the spray that the dealer uses it only mask it for a small time,my mechanic at dc showed me a evaperator out of another truck that had some dirt/grass whatever in a small spot and he said that is the cause. I removed the fanmotor expecting to find it dirty in the plenium duct but it wasn't,bad news is the dash has to come out to replace ,

 

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I have the same smell and I also have little knats that are always in the truck. I guess they must breed and feed on the mold generated in the air conditioning system. If you find a cure let me know

Dewdo in the other Washington

 

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No oders on mine.

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2001. 5 2500 QC, ETH/DEE, SLT plus, LWB, 4x4, solid white w/agate leather, 3. 55 LSD, camper/trailer tow, 241HD,TT mirrors, 4 wheel disc brakes, the works

 

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My 96 stunk from the day it was new! My 97 is fine. I think I saw a TSB for that problem in an old TDR. I think you can search TSB's somewhere on this site. Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Gutted Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

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I had this happen on a Pontiac my wife used to have. I poured about 1/2 jug of Clorox down the plenum and it cured the problem permanently.

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Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring, cat,& muffler all stolen.

 

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Had the smell. Kinda like someone left a wet towel under the seat for 3 days in Laredo.

I made sure whenever i turned the truck off the A/C control knob was on vent, so the system could breath.

Took about 3 weeks, but the smell is gone.



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2001 3500 QC 24V SLT Larimie, leather, VA CPC,Gauges,Torq-loc
Black w/ Ranchhand bumpers Brownes HD HA rack and a black wetherguard coffin. --pullee 34Ft. gooseneck and a 16ft. monorail
2000 Durnago SLT 5. 9litre V8

 

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I saw an article in Washington Post about this problem in many cars this year due to unusually wet / humid weather. Article says that dealers have a "professional" foam treatment that is put into the vent system and kills bacteria/mold. Treatment system is not said to be available to consumers, but has to be installed by car shop. I don't currently have the problem and have not tried this treatment.

 

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Someone in another forum mentioned there is a TSB for this.....

If yall are reasonable sure it is a mold, or bacteria, etc etc, you have to KILL the bacteria with enzymes. YOU can do the same thing the detail guys will do for a lot less cashola. Go to local store, go to pet section, look for the stuff in small plastic bottle that gets rid of pet odors. You mix like one part of the chemical to 4 or 5 parts water... . then spray (or SOAK) the affected area throughly, and let it dry, this should solve your problem. That is unless there is like a leak or something that will make it continue... ...

D

 

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there is a tsb for it , its standard DC issue , like the steering wander , low power , sub par auto trans and crap mileage ... don't try to fix any of it , it will just give them a reason to void your warranty.

 

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I posted this problem a few months ago and found out the following from replys. The drain does not drain while driving due to airflow against it. I took the advise and installed a 5/8 bypass hose and clamp to extend the drain down like on most cars. Sprayed lysol thru the vents and the gym sock smell is just about gone. I have noticed when you start up and turn the AC on about 1/4 cup of water comes out the drain instantly. Now I also let the fan run a few seconds with the ac off to push the left over water out.

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THE ROCK/2001,4X4,3. 54 GEARS,QC,SB,AT,SPORT,CL,CAMPER PACKAGE,TRAILER PACKAGE,WHITE,MOPAR MOLDED SPLASH GUARDS,STEELHORSE NERF BARS,BEDRUG LINER,CAB HIGH CAP.

 

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Guys Mopar Man hit it right on the head,in that you have to shut off the a/c but leave the fan run for a minute or so,this will help bigtime.

 

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I purchased a product called Pureair. It kills mold and mildew and de-odorizes the vent system. It is made by Interdynamics Inc. Brooklyn, NY. 11232 I used it twice in two years, have 1/2 can left and no smell. PS. got it at Kragen Auto Parts. Happy rammin, Dave

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Dave Hauser, 96 3500 4x4 extended, auto 4:10 LSD, K&N, tow hooks, fog lights, custom front reciever hitch and mount for 8000 Ramsey winch, alum diamond plate box and running boards, Dodge dually mudflaps, tow 18' flatbed, 69 Vette, 89 HD FLHS

 

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Thanks for the replys I will try the drain tube extension and may look into the Pureair product or clorox and water mix in the plennium. Thanks guys I love this place and the different views and experiences expressed here.

 

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Originally posted by ramman:
clorox and water mix in the plennium.

Just remember that clorox is very corrosive, I have never seen it recommened for use on steel or aluminum,very desturctive. Lysol would probably be a better choice as it is not nearly as corrosive.
Just my $. 02