Smelly Air-conditioning

[vipercwf]

Hey guys,

My air smells bad, specifically more it seems when the actual air-conditioner is on. I've had this in other cars before but always wondered if there is a way to fix it...Is there a filter that needs replaced or is there a way to clean it to not make it smell so bad? Or what else may be causing it?

Thanks for the help.

 

[KZL_99ES]

I would clean out the inside of the car first, then you could change the cabin air filter, yes there is one... what does it smell like?

...i love smells...

 

[TX Speed 6]

There is a filter but I'm not sure if that would fix what the problem is. The filter is in the glove box, when you open it, on the right hand side undo the little string supporting it, you should be able to just unhook it to drop the glove box. Once its wide open (hope you took out everything first!) there is a panel to the right directly in front. Open it and there is your filter. You can get it from the dealer and some regular car parts stores.

Can you describe the smell? It might help figure out what it might be.

 

[vipercwf]

Almost like dirty socks...ha. Best description I can think of. And no its not my car, i keep my car very clean- The smell is def coming from the vents, specifically when I turn the air on it gets worse.

 

[KZL_99ES]

are your shoes off?

 

[vipercwf]

Lol, nope. I just went and washed my car on break and did the whole lysol thing through the front vent...seems to have done the trick

 

[redspeed6]

if you use recirc alot, you can have moisture build up inside the evap. case, and being that is dark, cold you can have mildew grow on the evap. itself. You need to get a foam cleaner from a autoparts store, and insert the foam through the a/c drain (passenger side under hood or under car) and let that stuff soak and clean the mildew off. Works great, a pain to do though but will kill the smell

 

[sunshineFC]

Has anyone mentioned the "smelly air" TSB yet?
-a