Best way to get rid of AC Stink?

My AC is never off...Nova scotia

 

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No "socks & cheese" smell in my A/C in the Atlanta area. ... ... my A/C works in the winter and dehumidifies too.
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Where is the air duct under the hood to spray this stuff? Thanks

 

I shut off my AC a block or so away from my destination. Saves a bit of gas and dries out the coils! I also turn off the AC when accelerating onto a freeway and short hills. Modern AC comressors don't load the engine as much as before, but there is a dip in available HP.

 

Is it really humid there during the spring / summer ?

I can't imagine why you'd run the AC in the winter, isn't it too cold ?

Just curious about the climate, was toying with the idea of buying a couple investment properties out there.

 

Wet and warm = mold (at least for A/C systems).

Living in a humid climate I dry out my A/C system before turning it off. I make sure it is running on 'Return Air' since the air in the cab is not nearly as humid as it is outside. Then for about a minute or two before arriving where-ever I am going, I turn off the A/C but let the fan continue running. This dries out the coils a bit and warms everything up so moisture will not condense when idle.

Doing this seems to lessen the mold (stinky smell) growing in the coils and ducts for me. Plus you do not see a puddle form under my truck when I park like you do when people stop with the A/C still cranking. The cold coils continue to causes water to condense in the system while sitting there not being used.

If I still lived in Phoenix or any other dry climate, I would do the opposite and use the fresh dry hot air to dry out the coils.

 

I've always done this with my vehicles and it does seem to prevent the smell issue.

 

It is an idiosyncrasy of the Tacoma. Another stupid irritation, I've had 2 brand new Tacos in the last year, both stank.
Here's where the Kool-Aide drinkers start to blame me, my other vehicle doesn't stink, never has and it's an 06...

 

Hey check this out. Check out the short video at the bottom of the listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CARM...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item414f28fdf4

 

u wanna translate that for the rest of us?

 

You serious? It has pics on how to make it work. Tear off the top, push the button, put your a/c on max recirculate, highest cold setting, close the doors, let it set for 10 mins, and then just leave the doors for a few mintues. Throw the box away. I mean it can't get any simpler

 

Ah thank god, i thought i was the only one having this problem. Mine's an 08 and it definitely has that stink. Especially if i have the fan blowing only, then i hit the A/C Button...Stiiinkkkkkyy! I already have gone through multiple "refresh" branded car air fresheners, most of them only work for like a week or so and then i notice the stink again.

So its molds growing in the A/C Ducts? Compressor?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrVc_FXrbHY

Found that on youtube, that might help some!

 

Video is nice only thing is that on the Taco we dont have those vents on the outside. We would have to remove the plastic panels inbetween the front windshield and hood under the wipers to access the freshair intake. But this looks promising. Mine is an 2010 so i still dont have this problem, but if i do i might try this.

 

x2. easiest and most efficient way.

 

Lol ah pooey, i have yet to try it on my truck. I thought since the car in the video was a toyota 4runner, it might help some bit

I did try the fabric softener trick, i just put a sheet right on top of my air filter. It works, once you get the A/C Running, but on initial start up its smelllsss like usual.

 

Popular Mechanics had an article on this. They recommend letting it run with A/C off for a couple of minutes to get rid of the condensation before shutting off your vehicle. There are also products you can pour to make it smell better.