AC smell

[tmarti96]

Help please!! I have a 95 Ram 3500 diesel and the A/C smells of mold amd mildew when I turn it on. Have 95,000 miles so naturaly it is out of warranty for problems of this type. How much trouible to remove the coil and clean it? I dread the thought of it. Is there any way to spray a solution into it to clean the coil? I have tryed lysol and it is a temp fix. Only last 24 hours . Thanks a lot. my new Email is -- email address removed --

 

[C Schomer]

I heard there was a TSB for that but I never actually saw it. I also remember someone writing about it in an old TDR. My 96 was really bad but my 97 is fine! Keeps posting it and someone who knows more about it will chime in. You aren't alone with this problem. Craig

 

[sam peterson]

a/c smell is a hugh problem with all car & trucks. even removing the evap core & case to clean it is sometimes only temporary. there is a proper way to induce a cleaner into the evap case without removing it. the idea is to saturate the inside of the case with enough spray quickly and then shut off the blower to let the cleaner soak for 15 minutes. the a/c should be on max air and recirculate and the cleaner sprayed into the return air vent under the passenger side. there is a product on the market called :clean air: that does a pretty good job---Sam

 

[Dr.Kayak]

I have been told the mildew smell in the AC is caused by shutting off the vehicle while the evap. core is still cold. Condensation collects and mold grows. This can be avoided by shutting off the AC a few minutes before you stop. I always shut off the AC a few blocks from home and run the fan on vent till the air coming out of the vents is close to the outside air temp. This warms up the evap core and dries out the system. I have never had problems with smell since I started this procedure.

 

[1tuffram]

Wal-mart has some stuff that is suppose to help eliminate that mold smell. Can't remember what it's called, but it's in the automotive section with the A/C supplies. I believe the stuff is made by the same outfit as the A/C refrigerant, etc. Wal-mart carries. I was considering tring it since I also heard the Lysol trick is only a temparary fix.



Like mentioned before there is a TSB for this problem, but I don't know if it's something a do-it-yourselfer can do. Maybe someone can help me out here, but I think it envolved doing something which causes the A/C system to heat-up instead of cool AND also spray some stuff in the A/C intake system.

 

[SLVRBLT]

You might try Fabreze. It is a fabric odor eliminator distributed by Proctor & Gamble. I use it in my truck to keep it fresh smelling. I spray a little on the carpets and then turn on the A/C to outside air and spray in through the vents. Works for me.

Dave

 

[sam peterson]

DR KAYAK---SOUNDS LIKE YOUR THEORY ABOUT DRYING OUT THE EVAP CASE SHOULD DO THE JOB. MOISTURE IN THE CASE IS DEFINITELY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING TO COMPLICATED TO DRIVE ONE OF THESE RIGS ANYMORE WHAT WITH EXHAUST COOLDOWN AND NOW A/C DRYOUT. ---Sam

 

[Dr.Kayak]

Sam, been doing the "dry down" procedure for years in my old commute Honda. Just flip the switch as you approach home. It’s only necessary when the vehicle is parked over night. I don’t mess with it when out running errands (the water doesn’t sit there long enough to grow mold).