Dead animal smell from vents

Just noticed the smell yesterday. It only happens when the recycle air is off and AC is off. Can't tell if turning AC on just lessens the noticeability of the smell or fixes it.

Anyways, I checked cabin air filter, blower motor, and under the hood. It's not super strong but it's starting to stink. Any thoughts?

 

Hmmmmm..... Just a few suggestions:

1). Check for mice under the hood. It happened to me several years ago when I had the Colorado.

2) Check to make sure the AC drain line is not clogged.

3) Check to make sure the carpet is not wet and molding ( I know several people have talked about the passenger area being wet after a rain storm.)

Good Luck

 

Did you remove the front cowling, the black plastic piece that runs the width of the truck at the base of the wiper blades and check under it?

 

this

 

Cabin air filter is another spot to check. Few people here have had mice there.

 

I did, didn't find anything in there, clean as a whistle.

It's definitely coming from the vents and it ONLY happens when recycle is off.

To reiterate, I've already checked cabin air filter and as far down in the blower as I could reach. Didn't see anything under the hood, still need to check AC drain.

 

You have mildew in your vents and condensate tray.

The dead animal smell is different from the stink of a mildew tray. If it smells like a wet sneaker, you have mildew.

There is a spray for that to spray in your vents ... it foams up and kills off all the stinky funk smell.

 

How come I don't smell it when recycle is on? The smell starts and stops outright with that.

 

This. You got something dead under the hood. Maybe the neighbors cat.

 

Idk. Anyone hate you?
There had or has to be something in the fresh air side of the
vents. Anyway to trace the where the plastic tubes for the fresh air are or going

 

I'm voting for Rodents.

 

Under the passenger side windshield wiper is the duct that goes straight into the cabin air filter (can even see the filter). Are there any other intake areas under the hood?

 

That is it. Pull that plastic cover off and take a look.

 

Whats it called?

 

I think you got your wish. There is a rat in the white house.

 

That is no rodent. That is an @sshole in the white house.

I would prefer a Rodent.

 

Enjoy your short stay on TW

 

Ive heard of small critters getting into the air filter to the engine.
Just a thought

 

I have the same problem. Found this thread and was hoping to find the answer. What did you find and where?

 

This thread is super old, I'm not even sure if that guy is active anymore.

Remove your cabin air filter and inspect it, then remove the wiper cowl to inspect that. Once both of those are done, remove the A/C Evap core (access under dash, you don't need to remove anything.)

Then, if you don't find any gross shit where it doesn't belong, spray a can of Lysol into the wiper cowl with the AC running in the truck.

Good luck! Let us know if you have any questions, I've had/do have the same issue.