A/C smells like $***

LOL funniest DIY write up ever!!!


And grizzly mint....Come on now, You gotta do better than that.

 

Take out the filter and spray Febreze on it about once a month or so, works wonders.

 

I had that problem in a car several years ago. My mechanic told me that alternating between the "recycled" air function (max a/c) and the "fresh" air function on your a/c causes more condensation build up and can lead to mold. He told me to just use recycled air on the a/c and that should reduce it. Also, he said that even though it sounds like your a/c compressor is working harder, it is actually more efficient and can lengthen its life...? Not sure if it's true or not, but I've only used max a/c since and never had the problem again.

 

If you start off with fresh air only and then switch it over to recycled 10/15/30 seconds later, it will eliminate the odor all together. I'm in AZ and it happens even with a brand new vehicle.

 

My Truck is smelling the exact same way!!! WTF! I have an '05 and it has never had a cabin air filter, so I put one in. I'm not 100% sure but ever since then when I first turn my truck on the vents have an F'n shit smell coming through them!??? I baby that thing, and keep fresheners and everything in it, and it seems to go away after a few minutes of driving

 

WHere is the inside drain line? How do you access it? thanks

 

Another thing that helps is to turn off the Max/ac switch a few seconds before you shut off the vehicle. That way air circulates through the system when not in use, and helps eliminate stale water buildup.

 

It goes out through the firewall on the passenger side (up high near the center console).

 

Thanks for the response!

 

My new neighbor is a mechanic and has had his own shop for many years. I was hanging out with him one day and he ask if I was the one who drove the Tacoma at my house. He asked if I got a bad smell every time I turned on my A/C. When I told him yes he explained that a lot of Tacoma's and some other newer Toyota owner's have been complaining of this issue when they come to his shop. He looked into the problem and found out that they have mold in the A/C system itself. He has some sort of machine that goes through the system and can clear it up and maybe other mechanic out there might to. He is gonna clean out my system for free but he told me that normally it about a $60 dollar job. I hope it works because I'm tired of having a new car that smell like a sweaty gym sock every time I turn on the A/C.

I have 2008 that has had three new Cabin Air filter to see if I could fix this problem. I used to live in Port Arthur, TX which is known for having some of the most pollution in the country and thought that may have been the problem.

 

To prevent mold, you have to prevent moisture. To prevent moisture in the ac ducting, you must prevent condensation first. If you turn off the ac a few minutes before you destination, but keep the fan blowing, it does wonders to cut down on the musty smell. Getting the temperature of the ac ducting up to ambient temperature is the best way to prevent condensation. If you already have the smell and can't get rid of it, there are products on the market like BG Frigi-fresh that can be sprayed into the air intake to help reduce the smell.

 

You might want to look into this product.

It does work.

 

Its just kind of annoying that we have to turn the AC off and blow regular air each time we are parking, I've never had to do that with other vehicles, why do Tacos have this issue more?

 

Good point.

I have the same problem with my air. It smells moldy for the first minute or two after I turn my A/C on. I just have to find time to check and replace the cabin filter.

 

I actually do this in all of my cars. My wife's 2007 Civic smells really bad if she doesn't do this. I agree, not all cars are as bad as the Tacoma, but there are many that can be.

 

i just swap my cabin filter out 1 a month... it always smells good in my truck...

 

As mentions previously, just run the air without the ac for a few minutes before you park. I always turn off the ac anyway and let in outside air to keep the system dry. Also a good habit so you don't start the truck with the ac on. I never have had this issue on my previous vehicles doing the same thing.

 

As mentioned previously, just run the air without the ac for a few minutes before you park. I always turn off the ac anyway and let in outside air to keep the system dry. Also a good habit so you don't start the truck with the ac on. I never have had this issue on my previous vehicles doing the same thing.

 

X2 on frigi-fresh. It kills fungus too. Any other fungicide sprayed into the cabin air intake will do the trick. Just make sure you don't breathe it in. Rodent nests are a posibility. I have seen a few on vehicles which don't get used much. Dryer sheets will repel them, believe it or not. I have used them in cars and rv's. Works good.