1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: ALL-PRO Bedrack w/ Anchor Trax MOD What rating would you give for reliability? Remote start from accessory wire? Racing wheel, suspension and more Help with Manual transmission and differential oil. 2002 Pre-Runner Excab door handle

Funky smell from A/C?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by KiteGuam, Dec 30, 2016.

  1. Dec 30, 2016 at 8:06 PM
    #1
    KiteGuam

    #1
    KiteGuam [OP] The favorite!

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2013
    Member:
    #113472
    Messages:
    731
    Guam
    Vehicle:
    03 Xtra-Cab 2.7L 4X4
    starting over from scratch
    Just noticed about a day ago that I have a strange smell coming from my A/C. It's almost like vinegar, at first I thought it was this new air freshener but then I got rid of it and the smell is still there. It's only when I turn the A/C on that I smell it too so I know it's coming from there. Any idea on how to get rid of it or do I just go on an adventure and tear apart my dash and locate the source?
     
    KiteGuam, Dec 30, 2016
    #1
  2. Dec 30, 2016 at 8:16 PM
    #2
    Clearwater Bill

    #2
    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,348
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    Clearwater Bill, Dec 30, 2016
    #2
    KiteGuam[OP] and DustStorm4x4 like this.
  3. Dec 31, 2016 at 2:21 AM
    #3
    KiteGuam

    #3
    KiteGuam [OP] The favorite!

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2013
    Member:
    #113472
    Messages:
    731
    Guam
    Vehicle:
    03 Xtra-Cab 2.7L 4X4
    starting over from scratch
    Do 1st Gens even have a filter?
     
    KiteGuam, Dec 31, 2016
    #3
  4. Dec 31, 2016 at 3:12 AM
    #4
    koditten

    #4
    koditten Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2013
    Member:
    #112077
    Messages:
    19,615
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kirk
    Central Michigan
    Vehicle:
    04 trd x-cab 4 x 4 3.4l
    Reserected from the dead.
    No filter on 1st gens.
     
    koditten, Dec 31, 2016
    #4
  5. Dec 31, 2016 at 3:15 AM
    #5
    koditten

    #5
    koditten Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2013
    Member:
    #112077
    Messages:
    19,615
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kirk
    Central Michigan
    Vehicle:
    04 trd x-cab 4 x 4 3.4l
    Reserected from the dead.
    Just noticed you are in Guam. Its pretty humid there, correct?

    Make sure the drain is clear like Bill said. Its located on the passenger side fire wall. When the truck is running and the air is on, you should see water dripping out of that drain. Poke coat hanger in it or similar to clear the drain. If it starts flowing good, then you know you had a build up and that was what was causing the stink.
     
    koditten, Dec 31, 2016
    #5
  6. Dec 31, 2016 at 3:33 AM
    #6
    Wyoming09

    #6
    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2015
    Member:
    #153833
    Messages:
    14,277
    Gender:
    Male
    New Tripoli Pa
    Vehicle:
    2000 Work truck 5 speed 4x4 3.4
    Super Springs
    Rodents in the duct work is always a possibility

    I can`t think a blocked drain is going to smell like vinegar but in high humidity a new life form could be growing
     
    Wyoming09, Dec 31, 2016
    #6
  7. Dec 31, 2016 at 4:27 AM
    #7
    Clearwater Bill

    #7
    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,348
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    It's why I said 'if'. I have (had) no clue. Now that @koditten has edumacated me, the answer is 'no'.

    I'm a little surprised that maybe the latter years didn't have one, as my '04 Highlander does. But I guess they didn't worry about the dirty trucker types. o_O
     
    Clearwater Bill, Dec 31, 2016
    #7
  8. Dec 31, 2016 at 7:36 AM
    #8
    KiteGuam

    #8
    KiteGuam [OP] The favorite!

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2013
    Member:
    #113472
    Messages:
    731
    Guam
    Vehicle:
    03 Xtra-Cab 2.7L 4X4
    starting over from scratch
    Thanks guys I will check on those. Happy New Years! :cheers:
     
    KiteGuam, Dec 31, 2016
    #8
  9. Dec 31, 2016 at 7:47 AM
    #9
    Mush Mouse

    #9
    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Member:
    #35188
    Messages:
    4,741
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mush
    where ever you want me to be
    Vehicle:
    2013 SR5
    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    spray Lysol into the intake grill on the cowl where the wipers are while the AC is running full blast and the cab air recirculator switch is on
     
    Mush Mouse, Dec 31, 2016
    #9
    KiteGuam[OP] and SnowFarmer like this.
  10. Dec 31, 2016 at 7:53 AM
    #10
    SnowFarmer

    #10
    SnowFarmer I intend to live forever, or die trying.

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    Member:
    #204245
    Messages:
    155
    Gender:
    Male
    Corona, CA
    Vehicle:
    '17 TRD Pro
    I can afford Gas.
    This. This is a common thing in the HVAC industry we call Dirty Sock Syndrome. The short of it, you are smelling bacteria growing in the coil. Like when you work in your socks all day and then enjoy that aroma when you take your shoes off when you get home. Spray some lysol into the intake and the smell should go away as Mush Mouse pointed out.
     
    SnowFarmer, Dec 31, 2016
    #10
    KiteGuam[OP] and Mush Mouse[QUOTED] like this.
  11. Dec 31, 2016 at 7:56 AM
    #11
    Mush Mouse

    #11
    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Member:
    #35188
    Messages:
    4,741
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mush
    where ever you want me to be
    Vehicle:
    2013 SR5
    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
     
    Mush Mouse, Dec 31, 2016
    #11
    KiteGuam[OP] likes this.
  12. Dec 31, 2016 at 8:48 AM
    #12
    mechanicjon

    #12
    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2016
    Member:
    #203828
    Messages:
    10,141
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jon
    Scottsdale Arizona
    Vehicle:
    04 Taco SC 4dr SR5 TRD Prerunner
    Supercharged, AEM FIC/6, Meth Inj, ION Alloy's, Radio & Phone steering Wheel controls,Fabtech AAL, Billie's wrapped with 880's , Tundra big brake conversion, bully bars and Pioneer DDin Stereo/dvd with exterrnal usb ports. 290K and going strong.
    Air recirculate OFF you want to draw it into the inside. Once the inside is loaded with Lysol then switched to recirculate ON
     
    mechanicjon, Dec 31, 2016
    #12
  13. Dec 31, 2016 at 11:17 AM
    #13
    Mush Mouse

    #13
    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Member:
    #35188
    Messages:
    4,741
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mush
    where ever you want me to be
    Vehicle:
    2013 SR5
    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    your right:D
     
    Mush Mouse, Dec 31, 2016
    #13
  14. Dec 31, 2016 at 9:18 PM
    #14
    KiteGuam

    #14
    KiteGuam [OP] The favorite!

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2013
    Member:
    #113472
    Messages:
    731
    Guam
    Vehicle:
    03 Xtra-Cab 2.7L 4X4
    starting over from scratch
    Wow thanks that sounds exactly like what I need. Air recirculation has been on for a while now too so I'll grab some Lysol
     
    KiteGuam, Dec 31, 2016
    #14
    Mush Mouse[QUOTED] likes this.

Products Discussed in

Toyota AC Refresher KIT
$39.99
To Top