Strange smell from air conditioner

[jd319]

Recently there has been a strange smell coming from the air conditioner when I first turn it on. Hard to describe what it smells like. It's not coolant or oil or anything like that. Just a strange, foul smell. It goes away after about a minute or two of running. Anyone else experience this? Any ideas what it couls be, what to do about it?

[MAD-3R]

Recently there has been a strange smell coming from the air conditioner when I first turn it on. Hard to describe what it smells like. It's not coolant or oil or anything like that. Just a strange, foul smell. It goes away after about a minute or two of running. Anyone else experience this? Any ideas what it couls be, what to do about it?


New Jersy?

[2003 MIB]

Recently there has been a strange smell coming from the air conditioner when I first turn it on. Hard to describe what it smells like. It's not coolant or oil or anything like that. Just a strange, foul smell. It goes away after about a minute or two of running. Anyone else experience this? Any ideas what it couls be, what to do about it?
Yep!- it doesn't happen if I leave the climate control system on. When I turn it off and park it- when I crank it up again it's there. The smell is a cross between
dirty feet and cat pee.

[duhtroll]

My guess is mildew. Happens to lots of cars. They can take care of this but I forget how - had a car that did this once and they did something with chemicals.

Wait, that was me with the chemicals. Can't remember what they did to the car.

-A

[jd319]

Yep!- it doesn't happen if I leave the climate control system on. When I turn it off and park it- when I crank it up again it's there. The smell is a cross between
dirty feet and cat pee.


It happens to me whether I leave the climate control on or not. I think you nailed down a pretty good description of the smell.....

[torinodan]

sounds like mildew to me too, ford had a spray for it at one time to kill the nasty stuff. im sure someone here has the part # or name for the spray ford sold. this was a problem for SHOs as well.:twocents:




My guess is mildew. Happens to lots of cars. They can take care of this but I forget how - had a car that did this once and they did something with chemicals.

Wait, that was me with the chemicals. Can't remember what they did to the car.

-A

[Mike Poore]

Put the fan/AC on Max and spray some Lysol in the return vent and let 'er sit for a while. You should see the Lysol fog exit the outlet vents. Then open the windows & go for a short drive to clear the system. It's ok to let it go overnight. It won't hurt anything, just don't spray it directly on any plastic stuff. You have a choice of pleasing odors, such as Spring Forrest, Pine Forrest, Sea Shore, and New Car. Another, a personal favorite, is French Brothel.

[MAD-3R]

Another, a personal favorite, is French Brothel.

Ahh, I see you have your room decorated in Early whore house. Very tastless.

[SilverStreak]

I read somewhere a way of preventing that stinking a/c smell. It is to simply shut off the a/c about 3-4 mins before you arrive at your destination then switch your system to "vent" and set fan a medium speed. This will dry out the condensation in the ductwork. If you don't do this, mold will eventually form and cause the odor. I've been doing this for
about 5 years on various cars and it seems to work in preventing the smell. Since your vehicle already has this problem, most dealers have a spray to eliminate the problem.
After that try venting the ducts with fresh air from that point on. Works for me.:coffee: :banana2:

[sailsmen]

Go to Two Guys Garage Web Site, there is a foam that can be sprayed in the drain hole that kills the mildew.

The dealer did mine under warranty.

[MAD-3R]

I still say it was New Jersy. :woohoo: :run:

[Haggis]

I still say it was New Jersy. :woohoo: :run:

The land of Chemical Waste Dumps and Nuclear Polution. "Ahhhh....I love the smell of chemicals in the air. It reminds me of home." :cloud9:

[Bluerauder]

The smell is a cross between
dirty feet and cat pee.

:puke: Do you have this problem with your cats very often??


Another, a personal favorite, is French Brothel.

First or second floor?? :lol:

[Mike Poore]

Recently there has been a strange smell coming from the air conditioner when I first turn it on. Hard to describe what it smells like. It's not coolant or oil or anything like that. Just a strange, foul smell. It goes away after about a minute or two of running. Anyone else experience this? Any ideas what it couls be, what to do about it?
Here's another idea, and perhaps the correct answer. It could be debris collecting in the bottom of the cowl, what with all the junk blowing about in the recant storms. Try sticking a running hose on the cowl inlet area to make sure the drain(s) aren't plugged up. I think you should see clear water running to ground on each side of the car. Also, you might want to give the cowl a shot of Lysol with the fan running, and all the vent options selected to make sure the aerosol hits all the passages.

[Ross]

Sounds like mildew to me, too. You can try this: Park the car, turn the Heater up really hot with the fan on high. Let it run like that for about an hour. The hot, dry air should kill the mildew.