Moldy/dead creature smelling AC

Drain tube is under the truck. I’m at work and about to go off break so won’t be able to find a thread related to help you out. I think there is a sticky about a AC drain relocate in the 3rd gen section here so you could probably use that as a guide.

Here’s the ac drain mod link. This will show you the location: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-on-frame-with-a-c-drain-mod-fix.444138/

 

Thanks for the link. I will check it tomorrow.

 

I have the same issue. Figured the dealer might have an idea since I'm due for the 10k service. I've done the drain mod but I think the hose I used was too stiff. Makes me wonder if it has inadvertently kinked the factory drain.

 

Like someone stated before, when you keep the recirc on with AC at the end of your trip each time, condensation/moisture is left behind and can lead to mold. This worked for me but came back when I went back to old habits. I just had to remember to keep recirc off near the end of each trip if I was running the AC after using this again.


https://www.amazon.com/Detail-King-...h&qid=1553837235&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

This is what you're looking for. This stuff is incredible.

$18 nextzett 96110515 Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner - 10 fl oz

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-96110515-Klima-Cleaner-Conditioner-Cleaner/dp/B0002Z2MKO

 

Also be aware that there is a blower fan motor recall for 3rd gens.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ac-blower-motor-recall-on-tacoma’s.563876/

 

I wish i could order it, but since i live in Hawaii, Amazon wont ship it here. I may have to check out an AC supply house or see if Home depot has something.

 

I’ve tried all the products out there to address this issue and this seems to work best so I do it 2-3 times a year AND use a charcoal based filter off Amazon as well

This is a two step process with one being shooting a foaming cleaner through your A/C drain hose so it covers and kills bacteria and mold that builds up on the condenser as well as spraying through the intake vents.

Also doesn’t smell nearly as bad as Frigifresh (which I felt simply covered up the smell)

I still feel like this is a design issue personally and I wonder if the newer 18-19 models have the same problem? But have seen lots of these complaints from 16-17s

https://www.amazon.com/Subaru-Genuine-SOA868V9315-Climate-Cleaning/dp/B00TSGYKIU

 

what does this mean

 

Can't speak to 19's, but I have an 18. I think the system is the same but I could be completely wrong.

 

So I just bought a 2019 OR. One of the weird things I noticed right off the bat was a sardine like smell on occasion when I would first start up the truck and turn on the AC. It doesn’t happen all the time, only on occasion.

At first I thought it had something to do with the fact that it is a brand new truck and maybe it was some sort of chemical smell that would disipate over time, but it continues to do it and I'm at about 1600 miles. Thought about bringing it back to have the dealer look at it, but then figured they're just going to say they couldn’t replicate the issue since it doesnt do it every time.

I think I now have a handle on it, since folks are saying its a recirculated air issue. Still bullshit that shouldnt b happening since I've never had another vehicle do that - including my Tundra in over eleven years.

 

Yep, it's poor design without a doubt IMHO. I've had vehicles EVENTUALLY get that kind of smell after 10+ years, in which time I never felt the need to clean the A/C system b/c it didn't stink... But here we are Every vehicle has its quirks I guess. This one is solvable with a few minutes of your time and $20 every few months, and will minimize the build up if you do fresh air instead of recirc before turning it off (but it doesn't completely solve the problem - just slows it in my experience)

 

Lots of new vehicles get that smell, I had a brand new silverado that had the same smell.

 

Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I’ve never had another vehicle do that. And I’ve had a lot of vehicles. It does sound like some sort of design flaw. My buddy’s Taco smells like something died in it. Imthought itnwqs just dirty. Now I realize that’s probably what it is.

 

yea they did the same thing and sprayed disinfectant and it went away.

 

On a completely unrelated topic - your avatar makes me smile every time...

 

Had a similar problem years ago when a cat pissed down the external vents for the AC on my old truck. At a neighbor's suggestion, I bought Ozium. I turned the ac recirc off and put the fans on high. Blew a few shots of that stuff through the AC vents outside and then shut the vents to let it sit overnight. Came out the next day and ran the AC all the way to work with the recirc off. Noticeably better. Another round of that the next night and I never had another problem with it. Neighbor told me they used the stuff in the hospital where she worked.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozium-Air-Freshener-Sanitizer-oz/dp/B0143M9KP6

 

Servco is the dealer network in Hawaii, where OP lives. They are basically gangsters with a store front so going to them is a bad idea if you can avoid it.

 

Agreed and seconded.
See previous discussions here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ac-smell.542791/

My suggestions, same as above... Also make sure your AC is capable of blowing cold before you start to clean the system out. I have noted if the AC isnt cooling sufficiently to get a good condensate flow, I get the issue more often in wife's subaru.

 

ohh i c