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#1
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Air Conditioning smell!
After ~ 15 minutes of driving and AC use, I get this strange smell inside the car that I have never experienced before. It is not very strong but it is definitely there. A little acrid, acidic like.
Has anyone experienced anything like it? What does refrigerant smell like? But if that was leaking, wouldn't it be gone after 2 months of use? Could there be something dead in the duct work?
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Mattski 97 LSi Ebony Pearl 130k Midlife Crisis 93 Legacy Wagon 180k Training Wheels 98 Outback 180k 98 Dodge Durango 120k Ski Bus A multitude of skis to feed my need to go faster, faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. |
#2
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If it was something dead, it wouldn't wait 15 minutes to start smelling, especially if your car has been in the hot sun. Perhaps your blower motor is going out?
KuoH |
#3
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Refrigerant has no smell, so you can rule that out (unless you're a farmer that likes using propane...) Does it smell like mold or midew? If so, let me know I found a bit of a cure. If it smells like a hot electric motor or melting insulation I think KuoH is on the right track.
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ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician. Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) |
#4
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#5
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I've always thought that if the power light comes on the A/C and fan shut off. (to maximize power)
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#6
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Beav and KuoH, I have smelled burning stuff and this does not remind me of it. I don't know if I would recognize mold/mildew smell, but if you have an easy suggestion, I can give it a try.
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Mattski 97 LSi Ebony Pearl 130k Midlife Crisis 93 Legacy Wagon 180k Training Wheels 98 Outback 180k 98 Dodge Durango 120k Ski Bus A multitude of skis to feed my need to go faster, faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. |
#7
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Try shutting off your AC a few minutes before you shut down the car.. Most AC systems will smell if you don't let them clean out..
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I'm like a Slinky.. Not really good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see me tumble down the stairs. http://stickyvinylgraphics.com/ |
#8
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Re: Air Conditioning smell!
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bill Green 95 SVX - Cleo Green 97 Outback - Maxine Red F-150 Extended Cab Long Bed - Big Boy Even the best monkey sometimes drops his banana. |
#9
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Yeah, it is kind of like that only different.
I know what moth balls smell like. The similarity is that they both have a "chemical" odor. Im going to try Zeppelin's suggestion and turn it off a couple of miles from home and let it "clean out".
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Mattski 97 LSi Ebony Pearl 130k Midlife Crisis 93 Legacy Wagon 180k Training Wheels 98 Outback 180k 98 Dodge Durango 120k Ski Bus A multitude of skis to feed my need to go faster, faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. |
#10
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There are products you can buy that sprays into the vent air intake that will kill most of the mold/mildew buildup.
Here at Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire), it's less than $20CDN for a can. VK |
#11
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Without me having to repeat a lot of stuff, go here ( www.airsept.com ) and read about the causes. I rec'd promo material from them but still no pricing - I hate companies that only give you pricing over the phone - grrrr. I saw on ad at amazon.com for a bottle that was supposed to do four cars and they wanted $160! Can you say "Owwww...take it out, it hurts?!"
Anyway I figured most bathroom cleaners have mold and mildew killing agents in them plus surfactants. I got a can of Lysol bathroom cleanser (but after having used it I wished I had picked something with a bit less perfume in it.) I drilled a small hole in the evap case under the dash - carefully and only deep enough to make the hole - you don't want to drill a hole through anything inside. I then found a spray can nozzle that had a straw and used it on the bathroom cleaner can, inserting the straw in the hole while the blower was running on medium. I flexed the straw all around in order to coat the evaporator evenly and after about half the can was gone I shut the blower off and let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Then I turned it back on high heat for a few minutes and let it set for an hour or so. The smell was gone! I used a small (short, too) screw to seal off the hole and made sure the evap drain was clear. That was about 5-6 weeks ago and I can tell that the smell will be returning. I should buy one of the blower timers to dry the evap at each shut-down to eliminate the smell from returning. I just have to remember to call airsept on a day off - that is unless one of you EE types want to design a small unit with similar properties...
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ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician. Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) |
#12
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#13
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On a really hot day, put the settings to "Econ" and turn the temp up as high as possible, and let it run for a while. Should clear it out (if it's moldy stuff).
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#14
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I don't recall ever having a "stink" or mildew odor from ANY automobile A/C system ever. Is there suddenly some bug going around similar to "sick" buildings? Are those of you experiencing this problem located in an ultra-humid climate? And since the subject is A/C, is it still recommended that the system be run a few times in the winter to keep the compressor lubed?
Cool hands Ron.
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Good s**t happened. 69 was worth the wait. '92 stock semi-pristine ebony - 160K '96 Grand Caravan - 240K '01 Miata SE - 79K '07 Chrysler Pacifica - 60k - future money pit. |
#15
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