Strange odor coming out of A/C vents
07-13-2011, 05:22 PM
#11
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I'm experiencing the same thing. I also had an '08 Ford Fusion that had mold growing in the A/C. The condensation drain when it's very humidy does not completely drain after shutting the AC down. This allows mold to grow. The complete dash had to be removed to replace the evalorator coil and clean the sytem.
If you Google it you will see what I mean.
If you Google it you will see what I mean.
Thanks for the info, Shortride.
07-13-2011, 05:26 PM
#12
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On my FX4, when driving with the A/C set on recirculate, I can smell something that faintly smells like ether for starting a diesel! I can't imagine what is going on, but it happens right after accelerating. It is very faint and dissipates quickly but happens quite a bit actually.
OP: does yours smell like ether or "chemically " for lack of a better word? The smell I have is not mildew in the A/C.
OP: does yours smell like ether or "chemically " for lack of a better word? The smell I have is not mildew in the A/C.
I'm pretty sure it's some sort of mildew buildup. No chemical or ether smell at all. And of course when I called the service dept, they had no idea what it could be. I guess I'll be stuck with a crappy rental from Ford while they scratch their heads trying to figure out what the hell is happening.
07-13-2011, 05:41 PM
#13
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On my FX4, when driving with the A/C set on recirculate, I can smell something that faintly smells like ether for starting a diesel! I can't imagine what is going on, but it happens right after accelerating. It is very faint and dissipates quickly but happens quite a bit actually.
OP: does yours smell like ether or "chemically " for lack of a better word? The smell I have is not mildew in the A/C.
OP: does yours smell like ether or "chemically " for lack of a better word? The smell I have is not mildew in the A/C.
07-13-2011, 06:33 PM
#14
Standard mildew smell. You can try so rid the smell with a few shot of Lysol. Open the hood, look on the passenger side for intake grates, and fire a few shots with the fan on high, with the setting to the floor.
To prevent this from happening again, when you have the a/c on, turn it off, but leave the fan on high, a few blocks from home to allow the hot air to blow away any dampness that gathered on the sides of the ducts when the a/c was running. I have been doing this in all my vehicles and have never had the smell, at least, not from the vents!!
To prevent this from happening again, when you have the a/c on, turn it off, but leave the fan on high, a few blocks from home to allow the hot air to blow away any dampness that gathered on the sides of the ducts when the a/c was running. I have been doing this in all my vehicles and have never had the smell, at least, not from the vents!!
I've done this a few times. Works well.
07-13-2011, 06:35 PM
#15
I forgot to mention, even thought we shouldn't have to do this, it is advisable to run the blower for 15 to 20 seconds after the ac has been turned off.
What has happened in several Ford models, their efforts to reduce weight and have compact spaces, the AC evaporator cooling fins are very close together causing it to retain some of the condensation after it has been turned off.
Once the mold starts growing, it is very difficult to get out. Sometimes simply spraying a can of biocide (Hydrogen Peroxide) into the air conditioning system can eliminate the problem.
What has happened in several Ford models, their efforts to reduce weight and have compact spaces, the AC evaporator cooling fins are very close together causing it to retain some of the condensation after it has been turned off.
Once the mold starts growing, it is very difficult to get out. Sometimes simply spraying a can of biocide (Hydrogen Peroxide) into the air conditioning system can eliminate the problem.
Last edited by shortride; 07-13-2011 at 06:56 PM.
07-13-2011, 07:00 PM
#16
I've had some musty smells coming out of the vents espically after recirc use.
There are also alot of break in smells associated with ecoboost.
I suppose if musty smell keeps up, something to talk to serviced about.
Better than seeing mold growing out of the vents....
There are also alot of break in smells associated with ecoboost.
I suppose if musty smell keeps up, something to talk to serviced about.
Better than seeing mold growing out of the vents....
07-13-2011, 11:21 PM
#19
Ok I do A/C work for a living and also noticed the odor once in a while from my truck. Look up dirty sock syndrome and you'll see whats happening on residential systems. Long story short there's a microbe on the evap coil that emits an odor when it dies. The only fix for residential A/C's is either a replacement coil or a 2 part cleaner/ treatment from Trane. I'm pretty sure this may be whats happening on our trucks. Usually you notice it more after you had the heat on and then go to cool, like in the spring time when you use heat in the morning and A/C in the afternoon. So far I haven't noticed it anymore after switching my A/C to max and recirculate. I have the auto climate control and just keep it on 60 all the time and just adjust the fan speed when it gets too cold.
