How to Get Rid of Car Air Conditioner Odor Odor is a normal characteristic of automotive air conditioners. However, the odor's intensity can be reduced significantly by identifying and eliminating its root cause. An unpleasant odor emanating from the dash vents is commonly caused by mice or other small animals nesting in the air box -- which requires removing the nest from the inside of the duct or blower motor area -- or it can be caused by mold and bacteria growing on or around the air conditioner's evaporator core. Step 1: Unclog the Evaporator Drain Tube The most common contributor to mold and bacteria growth in the air box is a clogged evaporator drain tube. The drain tube should steadily drip water when the air conditioner is running, especially when it's humid outside. If this drain tube is clogged with leaves or other debris, the evaporator's condensation won't drain out causing water to stagnate. Find the drain tube by looking under the passenger side of the vehicle near the bottom of the firewall area.

A metal coat hanger works well to gently push through the clog. Water and debris can rush out of the drain tube when it is unclogged. Safety glasses are recommended for this under-car procedure. The evaporator core can be punctured or damaged very easily by pushing the coat hanger too far. Do not allow the hanger to travel past the drain tube. Step 2: Clean the Evaporator Core If the odor continues after unclogging the drain tube, then you may need to use an anti-odor kit. Several products are available for this purpose. One product that can be purchased is a spray can with a long hose to reach through the vents and kill the mold and bacteria. This is the easiest method but not always the most effective. Other products are available, but they may require access to the evaporator core by either removing the blower motor, removing the blower resistor or by drilling a hole in the duct near the evaporator. If you buy the kit, follow the step-by-step manufacturer's instructions.

These products typically use a chemical cleaner that is sprayed onto the evaporator and allowed to dry. You then apply another chemical to prevent further mold and bacterial growth. Step 3: Replace the Cabin Filter Many cars today use a cabin air filter to clean the incoming air. These filters typically need to be replaced every year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, according to vehicle manufacturers. benefits of water air purifierA charcoal impregnated cabin filter can be purchased to help the elimination of odors. wii lens cleaning kit not workingAccess to replace the cabin filter may be from under the hood near the firewall, under the windshield or from behind the glove box. m fresh air purifierIt is housed inside the air box.

Specific instructions explaining the replacement interval and procedure of the cabin air filter can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual. To help prevent future mold and bacterial growth, when parking the vehicle set the HVAC system to the outside -- fresh-air -- mode. This can help dry out the air box. It's unpleasant to sit down on a hot day, whether in your car or living room, and turning on the air conditioner... A car's air conditioning system has six main components: the compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, ... Why Does My Saxophone Have a... How do I Clean a Smelly Evaporator Coil in an Auto?. Air conditioning units use a coolant fluid that can be... Comments You May Also Like. How You Can Fix a Bad Smell in the Air Conditioner of a Car? How You Can Fix a Bad Smell in the Air Conditioner of a Car? During the summer driving season, ... A good mechanic can diagnose problems without ever lifting the hood. Instead of just offending your nostrils, car smells serve as a...

Does your car smell bad when you turn on the heating or air conditioning? If so, it might be time to clean... How to Clean a Ventilation System With Lysol Spray How to Replace Air Conditioner Filters in Cars How to Clean a Car's AC Evaporator How to Get Rid of Dog Odor in a Car Current Draw of Air Conditioners How to Get Rid of a New Car SmellIf you’re about to go to bed and want to avoid nightmares, you might want to put off reading this until morning. If you’re about to get in the car, please read on. While Black Death is not the same as the deadly plague during the 14th century, a car A/C system experiencing Black Death will be infected like the plague. Black Death starts out inside the compressor after refrigerant breaks down. Since refrigerant acts as a working fluid much like how motor oil is the fluid which provides lubrication to protect the engine, a refrigerant breakdown will result in ugly wear, starting in the compressor. From there, the sharp and grimy metal particles created during compressor breakdown can then travel through the rest of your A/C system, wreaking havoc on the entire system.

Before you know it, all cold air, and airflow for that matter, will be long gone. Cue the A/C grim reaper. The best protection from Black Death is an A/C Performance Check. We feel your pain and discomfort caused by weak airflow. The sweat alone is enough to drive any of us crazy. However, there are a lot of factors at play. If you notice reduced airflow early on –rather than later– take the right step and have it looked at before other fatal A/C system damage can occur. Whatever’s the cause of your airflow problems, we have the answer. Schedule an A/C Performance Check. Typically, no, but some vehicles have Driver Information Centers (DIC) that may display the status of many vehicle systems. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for more information. There are several reasons an A/C system can lose its cool. Bring your ride to us as soon as you start noticing this symptom, it could mean the difference between needing a small repair, or worse, a large one. Here’s what can cause your cold air to lose its cool.

Leaks can be devastating. When an A/C system develops a leak, you have what’s called an “open system.” If you or your technician discovers the leak early, your repair will be less expensive. Unfortunately, if a leak has been affecting your cold air for a while, moisture will most likely have entered your A/C system and may have damaged other vital and expensive parts. Well, like many complicated stories, there’s never one simple answer. A/C systems are a fickle breed. Your best bet is to have us inspect your system for any of the following listed symptoms. Sounds like you have an odorific problem on your hands. There are a few issues that may be causing this smell. While we’re no C.S.I. unit, the ways to detect an A/C system leak are not far off from an episode of the ever popular investigation show.Rubber seals and hoses can also lose their elasticity over time and breakdown allowing Freon to escape and moisture to enter your vehicle’s A/C system. Moisture is the kiss of death for your A/C system, mixing with refrigerant and creating a system destroying corrosive acid.