Stale Air Smell Coming From A/C Vents.
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Stale Air Smell Coming From A/C Vents.
When I turn on the A/C, there's a stale air or water smell coming from the vents. It only last a few minutes or I just get used to the smell.
Anyone else have this problem? Will it eventually go away or will I have to have it serviced.
I have the Stillen HiFlo Airbox installed. Could this be the problem?
Anyone else have this problem? Will it eventually go away or will I have to have it serviced.
I have the Stillen HiFlo Airbox installed. Could this be the problem?
The culprit usually seems to be the in-cabin micro-filter. They get sour-smelling when they get too dirty...
...Also, I've noticed always using the recirculate button tends to make this worse (or happen faster). It's not limited to this car. Seems like nearly every new car with an in-cabin micro-filter develops this over time.
...Also, I've noticed always using the recirculate button tends to make this worse (or happen faster). It's not limited to this car. Seems like nearly every new car with an in-cabin micro-filter develops this over time.
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From: New Jersey-North
I agree with the recirc button answer. If it used often, the moist air doesn't get removed and have the water taken out. I don't know, yet!, about the filter-only 9 months and 7500 miles.
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oh ok, I didnt know that. I only use the recirculate mode!
You say it develops over time, my car only has 4000 miles. Also can I clean or replace the filter myself, or does it need to be done by a professional?
You say it develops over time, my car only has 4000 miles. Also can I clean or replace the filter myself, or does it need to be done by a professional?
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The smell comes from the bacteria growing on the evaporator (cooling coils) in the air system. Not the micron filter. Part of the problem is because the system automatically switches to recirculation with the A/C is switched on. So the air inside the cabin, IE your breath, foot odours, sweat etc, condenses on the cold coil. With moisture it becomes putrid.
The dealers can clean the evaporator for you or the next time you drive in the rain, turn on the AC and bring fresh air through the cabin. The evaporator condenses the cleaner and moist outdoor air so quickly that it will clean the cooling coil.
Clint
The dealers can clean the evaporator for you or the next time you drive in the rain, turn on the AC and bring fresh air through the cabin. The evaporator condenses the cleaner and moist outdoor air so quickly that it will clean the cooling coil.
Clint
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From: New Jersey-North
When set on Auto, I think the recirc only comes on at the start when the car is very hot. I think it then switches to outside air. I didn't notice recirc coming on until it got very hot here.
As in the other thread I cited above, I never push recirc myself, unless I am in a really smelly air situation-ie following a garbage truck or the like. I tend to forget I pushed it for a while. When it is in recirc, most of the air is from inside the cabin-that is, moist (from your breathing too). The system doesn't get to dry out. Try running it cool without recirc.
As in the other thread I cited above, I never push recirc myself, unless I am in a really smelly air situation-ie following a garbage truck or the like. I tend to forget I pushed it for a while. When it is in recirc, most of the air is from inside the cabin-that is, moist (from your breathing too). The system doesn't get to dry out. Try running it cool without recirc.
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From: CA
re: Stale air smell from AC vents
I had the dealer change the filter at my 15K service. Didn't have the smell for about 3 weeks with the AC on. The the smell started up again. Found that I could eliminate most of the odor de socks if I click on the outside air button while using the AC, then just run the fan (w/o AC) for about 3 minutes before shutting down the engine. I would suspect that a portable ionizer would help get rid of the mold-I've got one on order.
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