Hi my Plug-n Prius develops a bad smell in spring when the warm weather comes and again in autumn. In the event that it stinks and the preventive measures do not work, unfortunately only remains Go to the workshop. When the air conditioner is turned on it creates moisture which attracts bacteria, mold and odor. An otherwise nice car -- that I don't want to get into anymore. If your air conditioner smells bad when you turn it on, there are a few common reasons why. 01: Is the Air Filter Clogged? The actual nature of that problem will depend on what you’re smelling. It shouldn’t have any discernible smell. Odor is a normal characteristic of automotive air conditioners. That moisture and dirt in the filter is a breeding ground for bacteria. Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Ole Petter, Aug 30, 2016. Ole Petter Junior Member. Tips to Avoid or Eliminate Smelly A/C Odors. The current … Featured Bad smell in the air conditioning system. He currently works for LeMay - America's Car … I thought maybe a lizard or a squirrel could of gotten into the a/c and died. of Marketing, AirSept . What in the world are you supposed to do when your A/C smells like a skunk? I’d suggest filling up a gallon bucket with warm water and cleaning solution (not bleach - I like Odo-Ban) and pouring it onto the base of the windshield. Turning on the air conditioner dries the air inside the car but the moisture has to go somewhere. Occasionally car air conditioners will not only blow out cold air, but they will blow out a stagnant, musty smell as well. Share PINTEREST Email Print David Lees/Getty Images Cars & Motorcycles. 919-480-2727 BOOK NOW. I had bought the Lysol from ACE store, in Queensbaymall with RM35.90. You may also have a plugged drain in the AC system allowing buildup. Top Answer. Have the air conditioning cleaned in the car. The system doesn't dry out completely and mildew starts to grow. Car air conditioners create the perfect environment for bacteria, mold & odor. Dale Wickell is an automotive expert who has worked in the industry for more than four decades. Normally it costs around $350 but was done free due to our loyalty to the MB brand. Joined: Feb 14, 2014 6 0 0 Location: Flekkefjord, Norway Vehicle: 2012 Prius Plug-in Model: Plug-in Advanced. Click to find out how to remove unwanted odors in 3 simple steps! For the past several weeks we notice a strong foul smell when we first get in the car and turn on the air conditioning. Troubleshooting a car's air conditioner is an important part of knowing your car, and can be a real life-saver in the summer heat. Air conditioners remove mold-friendly moisture from your home and filter allergens before they can get inside. See our response to recent issues regarding COVID-19 Home ; About . When you turn on your air con, you want to enjoy the comfort of cool fresh air. In this way you can be sure that experts will take care of your problem, who usually know what to do. Getty. The air passing over the evaporator and its mold buildups carries the foul smell inside the car through the dash vents. Report. 919-480-2727 Service Since 1986. Menu. There are few situations more embarrassing than turning on your air conditioning unit with a home full of guests, and within minutes, your home starts to fill with the foulest odor. About Us ; Service area ; Customer reviews ; Financing options ; Our warranties ; Referral program ; What to expect ; Air Conditioning . Disinfectant spray such as Lysol can helps us to resolve this problem. Make Payment. Moisture naturally collects on the cold air-conditioning evaporator (a small radiator that carries refrigerant into the car’s dashboard through the vents), and it may be harboring mold. 6061 Pure Aluminum Die Casting Process. This smell isn't vinegar from the store. Car's air conditioning stinks like a dead animal!? An air conditioner does not run on an internal combustion engine. How Your AC Works. This might fix it still. Call Today! If you notice strange smells coming from the air vents, there’s a problem. This is the water you see under your car when you sit with the A/C running. Call (602) 842-0009. by admin | Sep 13, 2019 | 6061 aluminum die casting, 6061 Pure Aluminum Die Casting, Aluminium Alloy Castings, Automotive air conditioner casting part, Blog, News, Pure aluminum die casting. How to do-it-yourself instructional on eliminating funky odors coming from your car's air-conditioning system. Terrible stink in the car -- similar to a basement that is growing mildew and mold. Asked by Wiki User. Trucks Cars Motorcycles Used Cars SUVs ATVs & Off Road Public Transportation By. What to do? Learn more about why your AC stinks and how you can fix it. The evaporator is cooled by the air conditioning system, forming condensation on its fins as it operates, draining out an orifice at the bottom of it’s housing. When your car smells a little off, it’s trying to tell you something. How can you fix a car air conditioner that puts out a bad smell for 2-3 minutes when you first turn on the air conditioner? If your air conditioner’s filter is dirty and clogged, this may result in your AC smelling musty. Now let’s kill the molds and bacteria using Lysol, the disinfection spray. Clogged drain lines. The longer it sits, the more the bacteria spreads and festers in the filter. Home; About Us. When the air conditioner is turned on it creates moisture which attracts bacteria, mold and odor. If so, then mold or mildew might be the cause, but what if you can't find the root of the stench? The mold and bacteria have grown up in the car’s air vents, thus produce the bad smell in the car air conditioner vents when I turned ON the car air conditioner. What if your car stinks? In cars it often happens when people run their A/C on the recirculation all of the time, or the drain gets clogged. Air conditioning odors usually come from mold and mildew that accumulate from condensation on the refrigerator coils, in a clogged drain pan, or leak in the system. Bad odor coming from your air conditioner is not just unpleasant, but it can also be a serious threat to your health and the health of your family members. The condensate drain line helps in removing the condensation generated by the coils. (we live in Florida) The smell is severe and can only be described as a sour vomit odor. Hi, my car is not too old, it is a 2007. However, the odor's intensity can be reduced significantly by identifying and eliminating its root cause. In the manual, Toyota admits the smells “are a common complaint among users” and “there is no permanent mechanical repair” for the odors. Posted on December 6, 2013 by macsworldwide. The fact that evaporator contamination is a by-product of normal a/c system operation makes the odor a rather egalitarian … Go under the hood to see of the firewall air inlets are still open. The droplets of water gather on the evaporator before going outside through a drain tube. If an IHKA system, they may have closed so you will have to set the interior temperature settings higher to fool the system into selecting outside air. The possible reason why car air conditioner smell stinks (1)The drain pan is not draining. Schedule Service Today. See what one of our Phoenix techs has to say about those problems and what you can do to fix them! This is a common problem for all air conditioners (in a car or not), and is caused by mildew growth. Just bought the 2009 Jetta 2 days ago from a dealer. Mildew is the most … The most common source of odor from the heating and air conditioning is moisture accumulating on the evaporator (removed from the car, above). If your air conditioner is beginning to smell, then it's time to find and clear the source of the bad odor. Does Your Truck's Air Conditioner Stink? What is That Smell? You may have rotting leaves or a dead mouse in the vent system of the car. Do you have a smelly Tesla Model 3? Appears to be related to the air conditioning system. When your cabin air filter gets dirty and plugged, it can trap moisture in its layers as well. The car runs fine and everything but all of a sudden the a/c started stinking so bad. Causes of bad odors. The cause of the smell is fungus, mold, and/or bacteria living in your vehicle's climate control system (typically they congregate in the evaporator core and/or near the condenser in your A/C unit). So, there is no reason why your air conditioner should smell like a running car exhaust. Read More. Moldy Air Conditioning Lawsuit ∞ According to a 2018 lawsuit, Toyota has created a manual called "Toyota Air Conditioning and Climate Control Course 752" about the musty air conditioning systems. When you turn on your car’s air conditioner, you should receive a flow of cold air that cools the cabin. There are a couple of solutions to rid your air conditioner of unwanted stenches. Air conditioning odor is often a result of airborne bacteria or fungi that are drawn into the evaporator during normal operation of the a/c system. When your air conditioner won’t work, put on your DIY hat, take a look at the system, and try to figure out what’s wrong. To figure out if the smell relates directly to the air conditioner, you should turn off the air conditioner to see if the smell goes away. That’s where the air intake is. If your AC stinks it’s a sign of bigger problems. But, animals can also get in the unit and die, creating a really bad odor. What’s making my air conditioning smell? We had this problem in our 2014 ML350 and was remidied when they changed a filter. Dale Wickell. How-To Remove Air Conditioner Smells. 16/11/2017 > By Deb Aldrick. Unfortunately, the heat exchanger is rarely freely accessible and cannot be reached without special tools. If it goes away, turn on the air conditioner again to see if it returns. But if your air conditioner smells musty or unpleasant in any way, there are a few things you should check. 451 452 453. You should be concerned about your health, especially if you have allergies. How to Get Rid of Car Air Conditioner Odor by Derek Wray . The air that’s drawn into your car’s interior for air conditioning passes through the filter, removing dust, pollen and other allergens. Coronavirus Update: We care about your health and continue to service our customers safely. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 38,000 mi, Visitor . However, your air conditioner does make use of some fluids and when heated they can smell like exhaust fumes. This will save you time and money with a mechanic, and could make it possible for you to fix the problem yourself. Air Conditioner Smells like a Car’s Exhaust? What a pity. Oh No, My Air Conditioner Stinks. Depending on the source, it can cause an asthma attack, allergies, respiratory problems such as a cough and infections, skin irritation, dizziness, sore throat, red and painful eyes, etc. Like the distinctive sound of a rattling timing chain, or clicking of a bad CV joint, bad car smells often indicate that there's something wrong somewhere in your car. MENU. Answer. I wish I could return it. After your break, start the car, and on the Climate Control Panel, select the center vent position only, turn the AC compressor on, and run the blower speed to maximum. Air conditioning systems trap tiny particles that settle in the filters over time and cause mildew growth when exposed to moisture. In fact, the smell happens as a result of mold building up inside the vents. 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