stinky/sour smell after A/C use? any fix?

[Summit]

is there a fix for that shag nasty sour smell from the vents after you use the a/c and then go back to non-a/c mode?



tia, Al

 

[llotton]

Summit, I heard a guy on a radio show address this problem. What he said to do was to get the AC up and running then spray a household product like Lysol into the cowl vent area and let it run for a min or two then shut it down, and leave it for a while to see if that kills any mold or mildew present in the system. Haven't tried it so good luck. Larry

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Summit

is there a fix for that shag nasty sour smell from the vents after you use the a/c and then go back to non-a/c mode?

One thing I do to prevent it in the first place is turn my A/C off before I arrive at my destination and run the vent fan on high with the dial set to fresh air. I run it about 5 minutes. This helps get rid of any moisture in the vent system that bacteria would use to grow.

 

[HOBrian]

I do the same as crunch!

 

[John - K5AWO]

The Lysol trick works wonders. Used to live in Oklahoma and East Texas.



But, after you get it cleaned up, start turning off the a/c compressor so the moisture has a chance to dry out inside the evaporator box.



You might consider moving down to Arizona though, that way you never have the problem. ... . grin... .

 

[Summit]

why did none of my 2nd gen trucks do this? my 03 was terrible and i got my 04 in nov. so i havent used the a/c hardly at all until latly and i can tell its gonna be just as bad.

 

[KHogan]

If it's a real nasty mildew smell, you need to get rid of it ASAP. Legionaires Disease is caused by bacterial build-up in vent ducts. Disinfectant like Lysol is good. Wurth products (car care/lube/maintenance product line from Germany... distributed here as well) makes a spray designed to elimate the bacteria in auto A/C ducts (i. e. , evap coil and box) causing the smell. A friend successfully removed a horendous smell (so bad you couldn't use the blower for ventillation at all) from a car that spent all it's time under a car cover in a storage garage with the stuff.

 

[DavidC]

Originally posted by John - K5AWO



You might consider moving down to Arizona though, that way you never have the problem. ... . grin... .

Please do not give ideas like that. I hear Florida is a great state to live .



Dave

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Summit

why did none of my 2nd gen trucks do this? my 03 was terrible and i got my 04 in nov. so i havent used the a/c hardly at all until latly and i can tell its gonna be just as bad.

Have the A/C systems been redesigned, or the cabs sealed better? I get various smells when I use my A/C, but to me they smell sweet and/or kind of chemically. I've attributed those smells to the newness of the plastic and outgassing. A sour or nasty smell is something I'd put in the dealer's lap.

 

[Summit]

Originally posted by Crunch

I get various smells when I use my A/C, but to me they smell sweet and/or kind of chemically.

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i get that chemical smell @ slow or stop and go speeds with the a/c on. almost smells like the freon is leaking into the system.



the sour isnt there when the a/c is on,,, its when you turn the a/c off that the sour smell comes. it seems to go away after an hour or so, or i get used to the smell?



my 01 always was leaking water when a/c was running from the condenser.



i dont recall this one doing it but i havent paid close attention?

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by DavidC

Please do not give ideas like that. I hear Florida is a great state to live .



Dave

Dern it, Dave... did I go and put the wrong state in that statement?

We got enuff of them critters what blocks the "highspeed" driving lanes now. At 5:30 a. m. , I came upon a Minnesota tagged car making all of 43 mph. Traffic doing didos trying to keep their 80 mph bumpers out of his... ...

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by Summit

Originally posted by Crunch

I get various smells when I use my A/C, but to me they smell sweet and/or kind of chemically.

A sweet smell from the a/c ducts usually indicates coolant leakage from the heater core. Glycol smells sweetish, especially when it is warm as the ducts would be in hot weather.

 

[Summit]

Originally posted by DavidC

Please do not give ideas like that. I hear Florida is a great state to live .



Dave

no offence but,, other than elk hunting i really have no desire to go to AZ. i'll stay in the great north west.

besides where else can you live in a state named after some "ho" named ida? go figure.