AC Smell

I'm glad I haven't experienced this moldy smell in any of my vehicles. In summer, I do cut the A/C off a mile or so before I get to where I am going. If condensation is dripping on the ground - I know the drip tube is working. Plus, always keep recirculate off on to keep air moving through the system.

 

this is probably the best idea, I have used the LYSOL into the intake and was concerned about breathing in the chemicals and who knows what else that's in there. I just took a trip to AUTOZONE and checked out the OZION and MEGUIRES,Turtle wax brands odor eliminators and all have serious looking warnings on the bottle about getting it in your eyes and breathing it directly in. I didn't buy any of it, it looked hazardous to human life.

 

Not the same thing... at all.

An Ozone generator generates pure (or nearly pure) Ozone which is a powerful oxidizer that can neutralize and eliminate mold, odors and other biological nasties. I have a small one that I use occasionally for removing smells in my vehicles and mildew smells from my boat. They need to be used with care as Ozone is an extremely potent respiratory irritant.

Ozium, if I remember correctly, does not actually contain Ozone at all but instead uses a myriad of chemicals to remove smells--propylene glycol and triethylene glycol are the main ingredients and act as sanitizers. I've never had any luck with it, personally...

 

Frigi Fresh.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/BG-Frigi-F...ash=item2cc33cc93e:g:1YsAAOSwKTBZcVlA&vxp=mtr

 

Do you ever use the fresh air vent to clear out the system?

 

There was a foaming agent and a spray that Toyota used to sell as well. Used it on my 2nd gen once. My problem wasn’t bad, but one time fixed it and it never came back. Had to remove the cabin filter and then spray the foam into the drain from the bottom of the truck. It drained out and then the spray was sprayed into the vent while the AC was on ‘fresh air’ and then again while the heat was on fresh. Then flip to recorc for about 5 mins. All good after that. That Subaru stuff a few posts back may be the same stuff (rebranded)

 

If you want to get real serious use this, it works, I've used it to clear out a house flip. We had home that was previously occupied by a chainsmoker. We used the Chlorine Dioxide on top of stripping everything. Carpet, paint, fixtures etc. Needless to say, the Chlorine Dioxide did the trick!

 

https://www.wikihow.com/Eliminate-Odor-from-a-Car-Air-Conditioner

 

Everything that goes into these trucks is hazardous to human life... brake fluid is the gnarliest stuff... but I totally get where you coming from leftover chemical possibly flying into your face

 

Lysol trick. I did this a in our car. I put a new cabin filter a weeks before doing this but the musty smell was still there after a few hundred miles. The cabin filter itself was about 30,000 miles overdue. I never paid attention to it, but man, that thing was dirty. I did it because the AC didn't feel cool and pressure check said enough gas. after the change, AC felt like new. so, a clogged cabin filter does make a big difference in airflow.

First, I took the cabin filter out, resealed and then sprayed the lysol through the air intake on passenger side. I sprayed in with the output on several settings: vent, floor, defrost without recirculation (can do in our car). Turned off the vehicle, then, I sprayed the lysol in through each vent/floor vent just to make sure I got all sources. I used the whole can: about 3/4 in the intake and then the rest in the vents.

After about 10 minutes to put everything back on, close everything off, put cowl covers back on, etc, I drove to vent the lysol perfume with everything open and vents full blast. Wife got in the car and noticed the absence of smell. Just, use enough lysol and DONT GET THE WIDESPRAY lysol. And wipe down the windshield if you ran on defrost. the lysol evaporates quick so you won't see it immediately but next time it rains you do see some lysol residue on the interior of the windshield.

It's been months and it still smells clean.

Edit: make sure you let turn everything off and let the lysol sit saturating the system for 5-10 minutes. also, make sure you spray enough lysol into the intake to allow for saturation. Lysol evaporates quickly and if it is mold/mildew they don't die off immediately so you want it to sit to do it's job.

 

I might try the vinegar/water/lemon juice natural defunker to see if that works to naturally kill the mold and bacteria and also start turning off the AC a few miles before I park the truck so the evaporator dries off.

 

I just did this today on mine and my cabin air filter was pretty much shot out, did some LYSOL in the vents,cowl intake,blower motor minus the CF and let it recirculate with the AC full blast, I actually had to crack the windows driving because of the overpowering chemical LYSOL smell, im going to try some natural air freshner oil and ditch the LITTLE TREE air freshners too much chemical fumes, I bought some Lemongrass natural oil on EBAY for $5 shipped and try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiA_-zgYEQc or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3NF-tnEcGM

 

+1 for the Subaru A/C cleaning kit. I've used Frigifresh exactly ONCE and that's the only time I'll use it. Seemed to more than anything cover up the smell with a strong chemical smell that took days to fully air out of my truck.

The Subaru coil cleaner really seems to work wonders and the vent cleaner smell fades away within minutes. No smell whatsoever. Have to keep these coils cleaned!

 

There is a chance to kill the harmful fungus bacteria, But the method may not give the desired result. In the end, the money spent will not provide the desired result. In any case, you should not use household chemicals. Detergents can seriously damage the entire system and cause irreparable damage. All aluminum and metal housing materials can oxidize, and the system will no longer be airtight and will begin to leak air. Salons and repair services use a particular antiseptic solution. Such a solution effectively fights harmful bacteria and germs. Also, it spares all air supply elements and even, on the contrary, prevents their deterioration. Therefore, only a specialized solution should be used for flushing. I would advise you to read this in more detail

 

I have found that if I turn the heat on for a couple of minutes I cannot smell the stank with A/C on or only the vent or fan. I bought a A/C condenser cleaning kit last winter but have not needed it yet.

I also run the heat for a couple minutes when I shut my A/C off before leaving my truck. Then leave the heat on so next use all I have to do is turn the fan on. Works for me.