hockeyboy82

iTrader: (1)

when i first turn on my a/c i'm getting a weird smell that almost smells like vinager. i'm thinkin it might be the incabin filter cuz i havent changed it in awhile but i can't figure out why it would smell so bad. the smell starts to fade away after running it for a few mins. Wanted to know if anyone else has had the same problem b4 i go and spend money on a new filter. its a 2k3 by the way.

TXT-1

iTrader: (1)

It's more likely bacteria growing in your air vents and stinkin up the place. The cheapest fix is to spray some Lysol into your vents right at the bottom of your windshield on the outside and let the vents go at full blast for awhile. Your in-cabin filter is mainly there to filter out pollen and stuff. If you haven't changed that yet, you may wanna take a look at it. Last time I did, I found tons of pine needles, leaves and small woodland creatures living in there.

DAP

Also when you replace the filter you will see the evaporater to the left. Looks kind of like a little radiator. Spray that with lysol too.

ZIPPIN

iTrader: (32)

stop eating bean burritos

bkucera

Yep, Lysol is the key.

5 spd

iTrader: (2)

I used oust and that worked after a couple of times. havent had to use the spray again. also, go through the temp range when spraying and have the ac running. although, I did both with and without the ac running

BewstAdd1ct

i got some neat foam **** that you inject into the evap case and it dissolves all the crap on the EVAP...

mrlee2005

Ditto on the lysol. I've had the same problem

hockeyboy82

iTrader: (1)

thanks to everyone for the tips i'll try the lysol!

BLUEMAX01SE

I Smell a Rat!

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

would you stop making pointless comments on every other thread?

Iron Scimitar

iTrader: (38)

I read about this on vqpower.com. Should the heat be on or is it do-able w/ cool air?

TXT-1

iTrader: (1)

I'm tired of reading his stupid crap....worthless post-whoring noob.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

Cool air, since the bacteria grows on the evaporator core (A/C). However I'm not sure that it *really* matters (does our HVAC's pass air through the evaporator core before it gets to the heater core anyway?)

wngan9447

iTrader: (4)

is it only when u turn on your ac?

I got this smell a while ago and changed the cabin filter and it went away..like u said, you haven't changed it in a while.. it wouldn't hurt

.02

BewstAdd1ct

blend door on cold, a/c off, blower on the lowest position. after your done, turn it on heat for 5-10 minutes. and yes spirilis, all the air coming through the hvac system goes through the evap.

and good call on the pollen filter, however if it also happens when its on recirc, its NOT the filter

lysol kills the bacteria, but theres usually a bunch of other particles on there, smoke, pollen, dust, etc. things that get inside the car and then are attrated to the evaporator in its chilled state.

HoldTight

"incabin filter"

Does the 4th Gen. max have an incabin filter ? If so where is it ? I did not see it in my manual.
I have an odor in my 98 when i run the air conditioner.

Holdtight...

BewstAdd1ct

you say to-mah-to...

nissan calls it a 'ventilation air filter'

but whatever

ojman

Can someone direct me to where my in cabin filter is in my 2001 maxima and what the change procedure is? Also, is it best to use the OEM filter or are there any cheaper aftermarket ones (the OEM one is $80 from my local dealer)

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

For whether your car has it and if so, how to change/clean it, go here:

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/cabin_filter.html

For replacement filters:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=B7200-00005

SEmy2K2go

iTrader: (10)

Same sort of smell coming from my vents as well. Good info in this thread.

ojman

what if my car has some musty smells, but i don't have one of these filters already installed. i understand I can add one, but should I be looking elsewhere to eliminate the smell, or is it still possibly coming from the venting?

Icondapython

iTrader: (1)

I have the same Smell problem. It recently just started, its so annoying... This thread has worthfull information. Any other suggestions would be appriciated. Thanks alot.

By the way, i have a 2001 Max Se

CVicVogel

Don't forget to check that the drain pipe for you air conditioner is open and not clogged.

If it backs up....all that water starts stagnating. Find the hose and clean it out with a screwdriver.

It's under the car...look for a puddle of water.

thanks

kam1luv

Its not a big deal. My car does that too and its a 2000 and I can care less.

opanick

iTrader: (1)

yea i had a smell like that the other night and i couldnt figure it out until i remember my brother spilt beer on my passenger mat and didnt clean it up

JacobsMaxima

I had the musty smell too, but it went away after a few weeks when I first bought my Maxima...
The worst was about 2 months ago:

I forgot to take out a frozen dinner that was in my trunk and it simmered in the sun for 4 days before the smell of wet @$$ came into the cabin during a 2 hour drive... ugghhhhh.

I almost cut out the section of carpeting in my trunk, but half a bottle of Febreez and alot of scrubbing got it out....

Now only on really hot days, the faint odor of chicken comes around when I first get into my car.... Guess I'm going to have to use the other half of the bottle in my trunk again...