Stank Ass AC

Hey All. My AC smells like sour... something nasty... when used. I've been researching here and online and it sounds like the typical cause is condensation and mold growth. Would that be a possibility in a new truck? My truck is 3 weeks old. About 500 miles on it. And I've probably used the AC less than 10 times. Not sure what exactly to do.

 

check the cabin air filters

 

Pull out your cabin air filter inspect under the hood and look for rodents. The sour part makes me doubt this but with how new your truck is I doubt it’s mold. Is it kept outside?

 

Looks like you have automatic AC
if you leave the AC on auto setting, when the outside temp is above 72F, it'll always default to recirculate and thus you get foul smell

I'd try to get fresh air as often as possible, so the first thing I do when I start the truck is to turn off recirculate, and that helps with getting rid of the smell

 

we all know the smell of mold, it could be freon

 

Looks fine and smells fine. Smelled the compartment that houses the filter, smells fine.

 

No debris of any kind in there.

 

I don't use the auto AC, didn't even know that was an option. I set the temp manually whenever I get it. I have been using the recirculate setting though. No reason in particular. Maybe I'll switch that tomorrow and see if it helps.

 

Is the condensate drain open?

 

Here’s my tip. When using the ac on recirculating or not. Always!!!! Before turning of the truck off make sure the vents are on fresh air and run the blower on high until all the cold air is out and air blowing out of vents is outside temp. Takes 60-90 seconds.

 

Looks good to me.

 

I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tip.

 

I do something similar, 4 or 5 blocks away from home I just turn ac off so (recirculate off) and let air come through.

once a week or maybe two, if I can handle it (the heat, I live in south Fl) I put ac on heat and drive around.

I have not had issues with funky smells, on other hand, my wife’s cars have had always issues with funky smells because she does. Or perform any of above..

 

I literally have all my family members into this habit. We all drive Toyota’s( I’ve had 5) It’s helps greatly!!

 

I used my AC for the first time this year a couple weeks ago and it was that awful moldy mildew smell and I always go AC off and switch to outside air before l arrive home to dry the system. Just ordered a new cabin filter and a can of some kind of cleaner disinfectant to spray in the vents, hope that helps.

 

Ita 3 weeks old. I have no clue why you wouldnt take it to the dealership.

 

Time restrictions mostly. I have a 2 year old and no daycare while running a small business. Figured I'd see if I could resolve the issue before going back to the dealership. Plus I'm just curious.

 

Suggestion:a mile or so before you get home turn off the AC and let the fan run.

 

Mines been stinking too. Usually I spray Lysol into the intake of the AC under the cowl, but I ordered some foaming coil cleaner. Imma pull the blower motor and soak the coils.