I noticed a bad smell from my AC Saturday. Any body have an Idea?

J.W.

 

Change your cabin filter, it is probably dirty. They also tend to get almost moldy in appearance which lends to the musty smell.

 

stale moisture in the system, can get moldy and smell rancid.

Many years ago my Honda service guy gave me a tip and ever since I've been able to avoid the problem. Whenever you use your air conditioner de-activate the a/c button a few mintues before you get to your destination. Run the fan at a decent speed blowing through outside air for a couple minutes and removing any condensation/moisture in the system as you approach your destination. The next day you go to use the a/c system it won't smell bad. If you just shut down your car while the a/c is in use the moisture stays in the system and causes the smell issues. You can buy cleaning products to flow through your air system if the problem persists. As mentioned above check your filter as well.

 

Thank You both for the help.
J.W.

 

avoid using the recirculation button for long periods of time, use it to cool down the car quickly then open it up for outside air flow once the interior has cooled down.

 

I saw somewhere that you can spray Lysol into the cabin air filter then run the system to kill mildew.

 

yeah some type of disinfectant like that will likely help to kill mould build up in the system, I'd probably pull the filter and spray it through the system with it running at high speed, then spray the filter itself if it still in good shape.

 

JFusion, I have done that trick where you turn off the AC a few minutes before you arrive at your destination ... but keep the fan going to let the ducting warm up and avoid condensation as fresh air passes through. Moisture (from condensation) in warm, dark places is a strong recipe for nasty mold and mildew and that's what you're smelling.

I also do the Lysol trick. I had a 1990 Integra that would stink up sumthin' fierce. You turn the key on, turn the fan on low-medium and spray the Lysol into the openings at the base of the windshield (hood open for best access, I think). Let enough of the spray filter through. You will be able to smell it strongly in the drivers seat if you're doing it right. Quickly shut off the fan and the Lysol mist sitting in the ducting will usually neutralize the musty smell.

It is usually only temporary, however. The smell will return if you use the A/C frequently and usually shut the engine off with it engaged.

 

yes you let the fan run after you turn off the a/c button so it has time to dry out the air ducts with outside air, and run the fan at a decent speed , the more air the dryer it can get.

I had an older Accord that got terrible smells from the system during a/c season, after the Honda service guy told me to do this I've never had the problem again, and that was 15+ years ago. If you just shut down the system at your destination the moisture from condensation sits in the system all night and until the next time you go use the vehicle and it can breed some nasty stuff.

 

Actually it depends a lot on your local climate. Cool down the car quickly with either the windows or the top down (or both). If you are in a hot, humid climate (as I am in Houston), you can run almost all of the time with the recirculate button on. The cabin air is less humid (thanks to the AC) than the outside air so you get less moisture in the system. Also, use the trick of running the interior fan with the AC off for the last few minutes. Here again, you want the recirculate button on if the outside humidity is higher than inside.

But I agree with the earlier post that it's most likely to be a dirty cabin air filter.