AAA Car Doctor John Paul fields a question from a car owner whose air conditioner stinks. Q. My air conditioner stinks, not that it doesn’t’ work it actually smells terrible when I first turn it on. I have sprayed disinfectant in the vents and that helped a little but the smell comes back. My mechanic has looked at the car and couldn’t offer any suggestions. At this point I have resorted to putting air fresheners in the vents to mask the smell. Is there anything I can do? A. The smell is caused by mold and mildew building up in the air conditioner evaporator coil and case. Short of disassembling the air conditioner and cleaning the buildup of mold there are a few things you can try. Liberally spray a disinfectant in the air intake of the ventilation system as well as vents- repeat as necessary. If your car has a cabin filter change it. If this doesn’t work I have seen professional kits that the technician drills small holes in the evaporator case so they can directly spray both a cleaner/disinfectant.

There are also foaming cleaners that have gotten good reviews. Once the system seems back to normal avoid using the air recirculation setting and periodically insure that the evaporator drain hose is clear. Finally try shutting off the air conditioner a few minutes before the end of each drive and running the fan on high when you use the air conditioner. clean air vehicle decals caThis will help dry out the evaporator coil and minimize the mold/mildew buildup.recommended air purifier australiaCAR HEATING & A/Cwill air purifier help with cigarette smoke Is your car air conditioner giving you the cold shoulder? Don’t Suffer in Silence Trust the Midas Touch®. Car A/C - more than you wanted to know.

Your car's air conditioning (A/C) system is divided into two sides, known as the high side and the low side. The compressor, beginning at the high side, functions like a pump, moving refrigerant through the system. The expansion valve, which begins at the low side, restricts refrigerant flow, lowering the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant. ASK THE MECHANIC Car Heating & A/C FAQs Q: My car has been sitting out in the cold, and now the heat won't work. What could be the issue? A: Because most cars house the A/C and heating elements under the dash, it’s difficult to diagnose the problem without seeing your vehicle. Stop by at your earliest convenience, and we’ll figure out the problem. Q: Every time I turn on my car AC it makes a weird noise but works great! Where is the noise coming from? A: It could be a minor engine noise or hose you’re hearing, but it could also be a symptom of problems with your compressor. This is the heart of the system, so have it checked if you hear anything unusual.

Q: My car’s air conditioner doesn't blow cold air any more. How can I fix that? A: Your refrigerant may be low, either because you need a refill or because you have a leak in your AC system. Your local Midas technician can tell you for sure. Q: The air coming thru the vents smells awful. What could be the causes of this? A: Weird smells from your car’s vents are likely caused by a bacteria buildup in the evaporator. We have the proper tools to clean this out for you quickly. Note: Each Midas franchise location is independently owned and operated. Air conditioner is an important item in your car. you may have some problems with your car aircon. common problem that happen is your smelly car aircon. situation can be caused by many different factors. to take a look at these factors, so you are able to removeThis article has 7 reasons why your car aircon can be smelly. Smelly car aircon can reduce your comfort when you are driving your car. to solve this problem as quickly as you can.

factors that can cause smelly aircon. This is the most common factor that can cause smelly carThere are some molds that are able to cause bad odors on your air conditioner in your car. An aircon unit is usually humidify the air inside your car. As the result, it may improve the possibility of the mold growth. better to clean your aircon regularly to remove some molds from your air conditioner. chemical solutions used to reduce the mold growth in your car. Some people suffer from this gas leak smell when they turn on their air conditioner. Gas leak is another common factor that can trigger the development of bad odor in your car. This situation can be detected when you turn on your aircon unit inside your car. The gas smell can pass through your air conditioner to enter your interior inside your car. to check the fuel pressure regulator that is located nearIt is recommended that you repair this gas leak as quickly as you can.

This is another reason why you may have some bad odors coming from your A/C unit. Air filter is very useful to filter all impurities from your aircon unit, for example dust, mold, bacteria, and some other impurities. filter is dirty, you may be able to smell some bad odors coming from your aircon unit. This filter should be cleaned at every month to keep it working properly. cases, you may need to replace your air filter with the new 4. Leaking in cooling system Most aircon units work with their cooling system. system can be broken, leaked, or damaged for any reasons. Leaked cooling system can cause some bad odors on your air conditioner inside your car. This bad smell may come from the liquid ethylene glycol. This substance acts as an antifreeze in your A/C unit in your car. problem should be treated immediately because this substance can be harmful for human being. 5. Excessive water condensation There are some cases where your air conditioner may

Excessive water on your unit may cause some bad odors in your car. treated by repairing the condensation system. the condensation system can work properly with the rightExcessive water condensation can also trigger the development of some molds on your aircon 6. Clogged aircon system When your aircon system is clogged, it may also produce someWhen it is clogged, you are able to smell some odors coming from some impurities, such as bacteria, mold,It is recommended that you clean your aircon systemBy doing so, you are able to prevent the clogged air conditioner from happening in the future. 7. Uncontrolled bacteria growth This problem may also cause some bad odors coming from yourThere are some bacteria that can cause bad odors, for example Aspergillus and Penicillium. main types of bacteria can grow well inside your aircon unit, especially if you do not clean your air conditionerThere are some chemical solutions that you should