4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

A/C Odor

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-27-2001, 09:25 PM
  #1  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
T-One's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 340
After driving for a while with the a/c on. I park the car. 15-20 minutes later, when I take off again. An awful odor emits from the vents. The air kind of smells like urine! What can be done to eliminate this odor? Why does it smell?
T-One is offline  
Old 06-27-2001, 09:26 PM
  #2  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (2)
 
tifosiv122's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,674
Originally posted by NewMaxOwner
After driving for a while with the a/c on. I park the car. 15-20 minutes later, when I take off again. An awful odor emits from the vents. The air kind of smells like urine! What can be done to eliminate this odor? Why does it smell?
I think this has been answered before...do a seach.

Erik
tifosiv122@hotmail.com
tifosiv122 is offline  
Old 06-28-2001, 12:20 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
vmok's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 792
mildew/mold in the intake vent area or something... i think they also have something about it on www.maximadriver.com .

-V
vmok is offline  
Old 06-28-2001, 03:24 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
party_boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 459
its probably mildew and mold

when you use your ac let it dry out a little (run it w/o ac for a few min on hot)

to get rid of the existing smell...try using some windex (anything with ammonia really but i personally find that the least offensive smell)

squirt it into the a/c intake while it is on full blast and HOT....with the most mist on the windex.
party_boy is offline  
Old 06-28-2001, 04:07 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Daniel B. Martin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,601
Originally posted by NewMaxOwner
After driving for a while with the a/c on. I park the car. 15-20 minutes later, when I take off again. An awful odor emits from the vents. The air kind of smells like urine! What can be done to eliminate this odor? Why does it smell?
Foul odors emitted by the air conditioner vents are typically caused by mold and mildew growing on the evaporator core. The evaporator core is the heat exchanger which is located under the dashboard, inside the climate control housing.

I've heard that DWD2 works well.
http://www.texasdistribution.com/
Click on Do It Yourself to see how DWD2 accesses the evaporator fins.

AIR REPAIR A/C Evaporator Treatment is a similar product.
http://www.keep-it-kool.com/treat/treatment.html

I've never had the odor problem, and have never used these products. Therefore this is offered as a point of information, not a personal recommendation.

If the problem is mold and mildew on the evaporator you will get best results by applying a chemical treatment directly at the site of the problem. The Haynes repair manual suggests removing the blower motor resistor assembly and spraying an aerosol product through that opening. See Haynes, page 3-14.
Daniel B. Martin is offline  
Old 06-28-2001, 10:09 PM
  #6  
Donating Maxima.org Member
 
mo'max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 66
a/c smell - resolved

Check out this thread. It may help you identify your problem and save $ too.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ght=evaporator

If not, search on "evaporator" and I think you'll find your answer.
mo'max is offline  
Old 06-28-2001, 10:13 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Eric L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,835
It happens in pretty much every car. It's mold growing on the AC evaporator core. You can get rid of the smell by either running the fan on full (4) without the AC on for about five minutes (leave the windows wide open, or else you will sufficate from the stench). Or, you can turn on the AC. That usually gets rid of the smell almost immediately.


You can buy a kit to clean the evaporator core, but it's somewhat labor intensive (you gotta take the glove compartment off to access the evaporator core through the blower assembly). The Nissan dealer can do the job for $100, but you can do it yourself for $20-50.
Eric L. is offline  
Old 06-28-2001, 11:37 PM
  #8  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (30)
 
SWEETSOUND2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,860
spray lots of lysol disinfectant into the a/c intake near the hood. Run the heater for 15 minutes. Turn the car off. Repeat in an hour.
Done.

Anton
SWEETSOUND2001 is offline  
Old 06-29-2001, 07:09 AM
  #9  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
T-One's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 340
Thanx

Originally posted by SWEETSOUND2001
spray lots of lysol disinfectant into the a/c intake near the hood. Run the heater for 15 minutes. Turn the car off. Repeat in an hour.
Done.

Anton
Thanks for all the great tips.
T-One is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BkGreen97
Maximas for Sale / Wanted
2
04-02-2016 05:47 AM
mclasser
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
1
09-24-2015 11:57 PM
homewrecker
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
2
09-24-2015 07:01 PM
carid
Group Deals / Sponsors Forum
0
09-17-2015 05:00 AM
EdRomo86
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
0
09-12-2015 07:49 PM



Quick Reply: A/C Odor



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:13 PM.