Hi all, when I start the car and put my AC on, I get a funky smell which is similar to vinegar.
It goes away after about 5 min (or my nose has got used to it I don't know) Any idea what I can do about it or is it bad to have it? (Car: Toyota Camry 2015), Never had any AC issues.
Needs an anti-bacterial agent spayed into the intake port for 20-30 secs
ie spray into the cabin intake (under the dash) whilst running a/c in recycling mode
I can tell you its definitely your problem
See here for more information:
https://www.sandgateautoelectrics.com.au/bacteria-car-air-co…
And here are 2 recommendations:
CRC Auto AC Pro Air Conditioner Cleaner
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/crc-crc-auto-ac-pro-air-…
Valvoline Air Con Cleaner
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/valvoline-valvoline-air-…
Job done!
CRC Auto AC Pro Air Conditioner Cleaner on special at reco for 20 in MEL. I will give this a try
Bro I found this video but he sprays it from the air vents. is this ok as well
When was the last time you changed your cabin air filter?
Should be easy enough to DIY and cost $30ish.
This. The smell happens to all cars with age
I did a quick service at Toyota last time not sure if they change the air filter. but it seems simple enough to change it myself. Thank for the video
Should be noted on your Tax Invoice if they did, otherwise call them and they should have it recorded on their system.
Cabin air filter checked? When was it last replaced?
Wont necessarily create a bad smell unless it somehow gets wet
Cabin filters that need replacing act to block air flow rather than create a bad smell
Still a good idea as part of the fix
Wiper fluid leaking into your air conditioning system. Or it's mould from parking outside in the rain.
If it smells sort of, weirdly sweet, it could be a refrigerant leak.
I doubt it
A/c would not be working at all !!!
Slow leaks will keep a/c working for some time. My last leak (after a regas, to track down said leak) worked for months despite that constant smell.
Change your cabin filter
Old Cabin filer doesnt create odour
It blocks air flow
Are you sure? The one in my car smelled and the smell went away after changing it.
Not sure what it was otherwise since I didn't change anything except the cabin filter.
What is it that causes the smell?
Only if it somehow got wet.
The problem is a build up of bacteria in the a/c system helped by all this humid and damp weather.
I know as I worked in the car a/c industry
But replacing an old cabin filter is always a good idea anyway to ensure maxium a/c efficiency
@HeWhoKnows: Hmm now I'm paranoid! ha ha
My cabin filter is changed annually now. Reading this forum, I think mine was probably not that bad.
I love the scent they put in my car that comes through the air-con now. It's a little can they pop in.
@HeWhoKnows: Oh I see! Wow. Pretty gross that people would let it get that far.
I noticed this though:
clean your intakes outside the windscreen and under the dash
check you cabin air filter
spray some dettol or other disinfectants in vents and intakes and run AC for a while.
Sorry but none of that would help
Its probably a build up of bacteria inside the a/c system
Thanks to all this humid and wet weather
Bacteria definitely does create odours!!!
From someone whe DEFINITE KNOWS THE ANSWER and NOT guessing…..
Need to spray an anti-bacterial agent inside the recirculate intake for about 30 secs whilst running the a/c
Might be able to get one specially designed for car a/c form an automotive store
Before any of you know-it-alls negative vote me for calling you out READ THIS!
https://www.sandgateautoelectrics.com.au/bacteria-car-air-co…
LOL did you read your own link?
In case you did not, here is what it said
How to Get Rid of Bacteria in Your Car Air Conditioner
Since your car air conditioning unit is always exposed to dust, dirt and moisture, it’s normal for bacteria to multiply inside it. However, you can do something to help get rid of the common causes of bacteria and microorganisms such as mould, mildew, and dirt.
Anti-Bacterial Spray
You can use an anti-bacterial killing spray to temporarily get rid of bacteria inside your car. Make sure you only use it whilst there is no one inside the car, and leave it for around 30 to 60 minutes before you use the car.
Clean the Vents
Another way to temporarily clean your air conditioner is by cleaning the air vents. Use a clean cloth and soak it with vinegar, then wipe your air conditioner vents to remove any dirt and bacteria. You can also use a baking soda solution instead of vinegar.
Clean or Change the Air Filter
Having your air filter cleaned or replaced is a great way to remove the mould and any other sources of bacteria in your car air conditioning. Ideally, your air filters should be changed every two years.
I got one of these last time, a bit more expensive that your bog-standard cardboard filter but we'll see howit goes.
https://cabinairfilters.com.au/
This should be the one for your car if you're interested.
https://cabinairfilters.com.au/products/car/asian/toyota-cam…
Does it smell a bit like period blood?
Random much?
Not sure how else to describe the smell. Kind of dusty and metallic?
That's if it's not used much.
Have you mixed up your login ID's (austriabargain / ozone141)?
To my memory, period blood does not smell like vinegar
@oscargamer: I'm worried about where this convo is going in general. But also intrigued. I mean doesn't all blood smell metallic if there's enough of it?
But I don't think a mixup has occurred with logins.
Run it on hot recirc for about 15 mintues while you drive. Give yourself a free sauna. Worked for me a couple of times.
This - before you put a new cabin filter in should help kill/dry out the nasties in the system.
So you repeated the same fix expecting a different outcome?
I only had to do it twice in ten years so I was happy with that.
I had this problem with my corolla. I only got the smell when I turn ON the AC recirculating system. When I drew fresh air from outside no smell. It was strange.
First, I used a CRC Auto AC Pro Cleaner to clean all ac outlets. It has a nice smell (only if you like the smell of hospital disinfectants :D )
The smell was gone for 6 months, then I realised it was not the culprit.
Secondly, what I did was, I removed the cabin filter and unplugged ac drain tube (it's normally below the front passenger carpet). Check it's not blocked. Then I pump hot steam through the drain AC upwards until get steam comes out of the AC vents. That seems worked. For the last 8-10 months, I didn't smell any odour (except my own farts)
Plus one for checking the drain is not blocked, or leaking back into the cabin. Simplest check is to look under the car after running the AC in humid weather. If there’s a little puddle underneath it should be OK, but pays to double check the carpets etc inside.
My old navara the drain wasn’t designed well and would leak back into the cabin. Passenger footwell was wet almost constantly. Once the drain was modified to fix it was good ever since.
Yeah I used to fart all the time into my seat. Now I learned to lift one cheek up then fart because it makes the seat less smelly when warmed up.
This happened to me and I thought this only happened to Tesla Model 3. Tesla actually pushed out a software update to try to address this by running the fan through the system after you parked to try to keep it dried out. I solved my issue by changing the cabin air filter.
Have the same issue on my M3 . Now in the process of getting cabin filters. Which ones did you get ? Iam weighing between OEM vs non-OEM filters.
Wind down the windows everytime you drive. A little rain won't kill ya.
I'd start with the Cabin Air Filter (If applicable), if that's all well and good then it could have something to do with AC refrigerant? Not sure what that smells like but it's a possibility.
If the above things aren't the problem then you may need to buy one of those Air Freshener bomb things that make you turn your fan on (the one that circulates the air within the car only) and leave it running without you in the car so the air freshener circulates through the system,
switch your AC off before you turn the car off.
Buy some hot chips add some chicken salt and we are done… lol
I had something similar occur in my civic about 5 years ago but it smelt more like eggs than vinegar. It turned out to be my car battery as when I replaced it the smell went away
That's usually from bacteria growth in the condenser coil, mainly due to constant moisture. Commonly occurs in summer as we tend to run the aircon very cold and then just stop the car and leave.
The coil remains cold and if you look under the car, you can see water dripping out of a tube. Imagine how much water is still inside the pan and all over the fins of the coil?
Over time, a bacteria and mould layer forms and creates the smell that builds up inside the condenser. Smell "goes away" because it gets dispersed after running it for a few minutes.
There is a foaming spray that can be sprayed up the drip tube from below the car (requires getting under the car, be careful!) that will kill and cleaned out the gunk. Look for car air-con foam cleaner.
Also, run the aircon less cold and switch to fan mode 10mins before arriving at your destination to dry it out, or it will come back again.
Good luck!
Could be mould?
I know some Service Garages spruik it to customers as an 'extra service'