My AC smells funny

[lein]

And after doing some research, it's most likely due to mold/mildew/bacteria/etc. Sad, I lived in a humid climate and never had an issue like this, but when I move to a much dryer area, my AC has this thing happen to it. I was originally afraid it was a dead animal or something, but it doesn't smell like that.

Anyway, I haven't been to an auto parts store yet to check out their ware, but I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations on what kind of "cleaner" I should use to get rid of this smell? And would it be sufficient or do I need to get into my evaporator coil and scrub it down?

I drive a 2007 Altima.

Thanks!

 

[AsianriceX]

Klima-cleaner?
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-detailing-product-discussion/32828-klima-cleaner-scent.html

I haven't used it but it's been mentioned on some of the forums I browse.

Does your car still have a warranty? You might be able to get the dealer to take care of it.

 

[Kaervak]

There's stuff called Ozium that is supposed to be pretty good at getting rid of A/C odors. Just spray it into your air intake vents and that's it. I prefer the home grown solution of equal parts distilled water and distilled white vinegar sprayed into the air intake vents. Let it circulate through the system a bit, might have to give it multiple treatments but it's always worked for me.

 

[TheFamilyMan]

Bad heater core maybe?

 

[amdhunter]

Do you have a cabin filter? I had one that stunk to hell. It was just one day that an awful smell appeared in my AC, and it tortured me for about a week. I found out there was a filter under the glove box that I could replace.

When I took it out, I almost vomited from the smell. I work in a botanical garden and it picked up all sorts of pollen and dirt/soil/manure. Within 10 minutes of changing it, you couldn't smell a thing anymore.

 

[Pacfanweb]

If you have a cabin filter, change it.

Then get a can of Lysol, and locate your Max A/C or Recirc door inside the car, either behind the glove box or over the passenger's feet. Put it on Max/Recirc.

Fire the fan up. Spray a shitload of the Lysol in there....crank the fan on High, and spray 'til the vapor is coming out the vents.

Shut the car and leave it for awhile....half hour or so should do it.

Once the Lysol smell leaves, your mildew should be gone.

 

[lein]

The car is a 2007 model, bought I think mid-late 2006. I bought it used though. Would this still be covered under warranty?

I do have a cabin filter, however, the smell only occurs when I turn the AC on. Otherwise, non AC air does not smell bad (unless I had recently turned off the AC). I will get that changed as well, and I am a little afraid of what I may find

pacfanweb, do you suggest the AC be on while I use your method (do I want the coils to be cold or room temp)? That Klima stuff looks promising, but I probably have a can of lysol lying around and probably could give both a shot.

 

[slag]

i would stay away from lysol and use the ozium or kilma. That lysol smell will never go away (experience talking), and you will quickly get sick of the scent of fresh linen or nasty flower fresh smell.

 

[amdhunter]

The car is a 2007 model, bought I think mid-late 2006. I bought it used though. Would this still be covered under warranty?

I do have a cabin filter, however, the smell only occurs when I turn the AC on. Otherwise, non AC air does not smell bad (unless I had recently turned off the AC). I will get that changed as well, and I am a little afraid of what I may find

pacfanweb, do you suggest the AC be on while I use your method (do I want the coils to be cold or room temp)? That Klima stuff looks promising, but I probably have a can of lysol lying around and probably could give both a shot.

It was the same thing for me! If I had the heat on, I wouldn't smell anything. As soon as you put it on cold, it would stink up a storm. I guess the cold air moisturized the thing and made it smell. Try changing the filter first!!

 

[TekShopping]

let your heater run for 30 minutes or so for a few days that should help , i had the same problems in my car before.

 

[radioouman]

I had this problem before and I used Lysol. It worked pretty well.

 

[exdeath]

Have you noticed if you are lacking large puddles of water under your car when the AC is on on a hot humid day?

If it's only the AC that causes the smell when the air path is going over the evaporator, but no smell when the heater is on, it's probably the condensation drip tray/drain tube being clogged and sitting with standing water and growing things that would make your bio chem teacher proud.