Please help with the smell from AC
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 97
Hello all,
Would you please show me how to get rid of the smelling coming from the vent everytime I turn the AC on (it will gone in like 20-30 seconds), I have not use it much during the winter time, and now it is getting hot here in DC area, specially the pollen is killing me during the Spring time (the pollen count today, 4/24, is up to 1500).
Any help would greatly appreciated.
Would you please show me how to get rid of the smelling coming from the vent everytime I turn the AC on (it will gone in like 20-30 seconds), I have not use it much during the winter time, and now it is getting hot here in DC area, specially the pollen is killing me during the Spring time (the pollen count today, 4/24, is up to 1500).
Any help would greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 400
There have been recent posts regarding this topic. Someone suggested spraying Lysol in the front air inlets (at the bottom edge of the windshield). This might be enough to kill the fungus living in your HVAC plumbing since you said you only smell the mildew upon A/C startup. Alternately, you may want to run your engine until it reaches regular operating temperature, then run your A/C at the hottest setting for 10-20 minutes to dry out your plumbing and perhaps kill the little buggers as well.
The best solution, however, is to disinfect your evaporator core. It's kinda hard to describe the protocol without pictures and given my limited automotive knowledge. I do know how to quote from Haynes, however:
The best solution, however, is to disinfect your evaporator core. It's kinda hard to describe the protocol without pictures and given my limited automotive knowledge. I do know how to quote from Haynes, however:
Haynes, J., and Henderson, B. Nissan Maxima Automotive Repair Manual. Haynes North America(1999):3-14.
Unpleasant odors that often develop in air conditioning systems are caused by the growth of a fungus, usually on the surface of the evaporator core. The warm, humid environment there is a perfect breeding ground for mildew to develop.
The evaporator core on most vehicles is difficult to access, and factory dealerships have a lengthy, expensive process for eliminating the fungus by opening up the evaporator case and using a powerful disinfectant and rinse on the core until the fungus is gone. You can service your own system at home, but it takes something much stronger than basic household germ-killers or deodorizers.
Aerosol disinfectants for automotive air conditioning systems are available in most auto parts stores, but remember when shopping for them that the most effective treatments are also the most expensive. The basic procedure for using these sprays is to start by running the system in the RECIRC mode for ten minutes with the blower on its highest speed. Use the highest heat mode to dry out the system and keep the compressor from engaging by disconnecting the wiring connector at the compressor.
The disinfectant can usually comes with a long spray hose. Remove the blower motor resistor, point the nozzle inside the hole and to the left towards the evaporator core, and spray according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Try to cover the whole surface of the evaporator core, by aiming the spray up, down, and sideways. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the length of spray and waiting time between applications.
Once the evaporator has been cleaned, the best way to prevent the mildew from coming back again is to make sure your evaporator housing drain tube is clear.
Unpleasant odors that often develop in air conditioning systems are caused by the growth of a fungus, usually on the surface of the evaporator core. The warm, humid environment there is a perfect breeding ground for mildew to develop.
The evaporator core on most vehicles is difficult to access, and factory dealerships have a lengthy, expensive process for eliminating the fungus by opening up the evaporator case and using a powerful disinfectant and rinse on the core until the fungus is gone. You can service your own system at home, but it takes something much stronger than basic household germ-killers or deodorizers.
Aerosol disinfectants for automotive air conditioning systems are available in most auto parts stores, but remember when shopping for them that the most effective treatments are also the most expensive. The basic procedure for using these sprays is to start by running the system in the RECIRC mode for ten minutes with the blower on its highest speed. Use the highest heat mode to dry out the system and keep the compressor from engaging by disconnecting the wiring connector at the compressor.
The disinfectant can usually comes with a long spray hose. Remove the blower motor resistor, point the nozzle inside the hole and to the left towards the evaporator core, and spray according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Try to cover the whole surface of the evaporator core, by aiming the spray up, down, and sideways. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the length of spray and waiting time between applications.
Once the evaporator has been cleaned, the best way to prevent the mildew from coming back again is to make sure your evaporator housing drain tube is clear.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 945
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 179
Originally posted by shirtboy
Hello all,
Would you please show me how to get rid of the smelling coming from the vent everytime I turn the AC on (it will gone in like 20-30 seconds), I have not use it much during the winter time, and now it is getting hot here in DC area, specially the pollen is killing me during the Spring time (the pollen count today, 4/24, is up to 1500).
Any help would greatly appreciated.
Hello all,
Would you please show me how to get rid of the smelling coming from the vent everytime I turn the AC on (it will gone in like 20-30 seconds), I have not use it much during the winter time, and now it is getting hot here in DC area, specially the pollen is killing me during the Spring time (the pollen count today, 4/24, is up to 1500).
Any help would greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,601
DWD2
Originally posted by shirtboy
Hello all,
Would you please show me how to get rid of the smelling coming from the vent everytime I turn the AC on (it will gone in like 20-30 seconds), I have not use it much during the winter time, and now it is getting hot here in DC area, specially the pollen is killing me during the Spring time (the pollen count today, 4/24, is up to 1500).
Any help would greatly appreciated.
Hello all,
Would you please show me how to get rid of the smelling coming from the vent everytime I turn the AC on (it will gone in like 20-30 seconds), I have not use it much during the winter time, and now it is getting hot here in DC area, specially the pollen is killing me during the Spring time (the pollen count today, 4/24, is up to 1500).
Any help would greatly appreciated.
Click on Do It Yourself to see how DWD2 accesses the evaporator fins.
I've never had the odor problem, and have never used DWD2. Therefore this is offered as a point of information, not a personal recommendation.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 179
Originally posted by maxnewbie
I have the same smell in my 97 GLE as well. I have tried the Lysol in the air vent in front of the driver side (underneath windshield wiper) fix and it doesn't work. It made the smell worse! Waste of time! However, there is a product specifically designed to remove odors from the evaporator core (located behind your glove compartment) that will eliminate this odor. I have not purchased it myself because it's quite expensive ($60.00 a can). However, after doing a some more searching on the Internet, I found the equivalent of DWD2 for a fraction of the cost ($24.95). It's pretty much the same product and application process. It's a triple action foaming process that dissolves any gunk, mildew, fungus or any other parasites that dwell in your evaporator canister and cause odor. You spray into your evaporator canister (the whole can) wait until 15 mins. (while it does its stuff - car off) and then run your AC for 5 mins.. I have the can at home (just received in the mail two days ago) and am going to try it tonight. I will let you know the results. The product is called AIR REPAIR A/C EVAPORATOR TREATMENT (www.keep-it-kool.com).
I have the same smell in my 97 GLE as well. I have tried the Lysol in the air vent in front of the driver side (underneath windshield wiper) fix and it doesn't work. It made the smell worse! Waste of time! However, there is a product specifically designed to remove odors from the evaporator core (located behind your glove compartment) that will eliminate this odor. I have not purchased it myself because it's quite expensive ($60.00 a can). However, after doing a some more searching on the Internet, I found the equivalent of DWD2 for a fraction of the cost ($24.95). It's pretty much the same product and application process. It's a triple action foaming process that dissolves any gunk, mildew, fungus or any other parasites that dwell in your evaporator canister and cause odor. You spray into your evaporator canister (the whole can) wait until 15 mins. (while it does its stuff - car off) and then run your AC for 5 mins.. I have the can at home (just received in the mail two days ago) and am going to try it tonight. I will let you know the results. The product is called AIR REPAIR A/C EVAPORATOR TREATMENT (www.keep-it-kool.com).
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