A/C is on recycle why do I still smell outside air ?

On my 2004 Tacoma 2.7L when A/C is on Recycle I can still smell air from outside how can I fix that ? I have been trying to figure out what to do Does anybody know a trick ?

 

Because when you shift over the lever or hit the button, the mechanical arm, or linkage attached to the door to make the system close is not closing the door.

 

your whole AC system smells of bacteria that come from outside. spray some anti bacterial air freshener into your intake while it's on high and cycle through all the channels. face, feet, defrost, and any other combinations you may have.

 

The truck is old the seals aren't as good as they once were..on my 96 I've had foam come out of the ac registers from the seals. Mine takes in outside air as well even on recirculation

 

You always have a percentage of fresh air coming in for you to get oxygen, no matter what setting youve got the hvac on.

 

Could also be big holes in the floor or firewall

 

Another thing to check, is the boot for the steering column shaft that goes through the firewall. Mine was gone. You can crawl under the truck, with a flashlight, and look directly up where the shaft goes in and see if there's a large gap. Can't remember exactly what it's called. Think its a seal. It's like a hockey puck type deal that is rigid, and is kinda pressed in. If that's gone then you would get a ton of air coming in.. I still get outside air smells but think that's due to a few small holes in firewall that aren't completely sealed.

 

There's even drain holes in the bottom of the doors. And if your plastic wrap is gone or not sealed on the inside, or your felt strips are bad, that can let some air in too. Fact is,you probably won't entirely get rid of outside air. But you can help prevent so much coming in. I just deal with it. Roll the windows down for a couple minutes whenever I smell something funky. I want to redo the plastic wrap inside the doors, but feel it's not really gonna help anyways. Like bry838 said, yer always gonna have some getting In.

 

HOw can I check The mechanical Arm ?

 

Is this piece replaceable without removing the steering column? If so, what is it called so I can search for one? The one on my T100 is completely gone, and I'd like to fix that if possible.

 

Just listen to see if you hear a closing sound when you switch it to recirculation mode. If not then the arm is either not hooked up or has broken. In order to find out its location you may have to look at the FSM.

 

Thank you for the information, what is the FSM

 

Thanks for the information I will look in to it

 

The field service manual for 1st gen Tacoma's. Should be like 96-04.

 

I honestly can't remember. The steering column doesn't need to be removed. But the mid shaft that goes through that does iirc. It's called a dust seal.

Number 18 fixed column or 29 for tilt.

 

Wait my bad, that's for first gens^^^
Not the t100... didn't catch that at first.