Musty Smelling AC
 

Hey folks! I've seen multiple posts on this topic but can't seem to find a solution. I have a 2017 XLT with 29xxxx. I do not have a sunroof nor do I suspect I have any interior leaking spots; however, I do have a musty smell initially when starting my truck and the AC kicks on. After the truck runs for a bit, the smell either gores away or I get used to it. I recently replaced the cabin air filter and the smell "seemed" to disappear for a day at most. Has anyone had any luck finding a solution to this other than turning off your AC and running the fan prior to turning off the vehicle?

Lysol spray in the air intake. Its a design issue.

My truck does that a little bit too. And my car, which isnt a Ford, does it also. I find its worse when you use the MAX A/C setting, where you use "air recirculation" to keep the cold in to maximize the effect of AC in the vehicle. That way, you are reusing air that become somewhat stale...then where you restart the vehicle you get a puff of musty/stale air. Try to refrain from using recirc and see if it works for you.

Almost every vehicle I've owned does this. As Delavan said, try to avoid recirc. Usually when I turn on my AC, recirc automatically comes on and I have to turn it off. Sometimes with AC on, recirc will randomly come on. It's annoying but just a button press.

What really helps is to turn OFF the AC several minutes before you arrive where you're going. Not sure why it helps but perhaps it just takes out extra moisture with fresh air or something. I heard this years ago and that's what I usually do. I notice after a long trip with AC on, if I just turn off the truck, it'll be musty the next time I use AC...

I guess I have had good luck with previous vehicles but I've never had this problem or at least to this level of stink...

Had this happen on a Tundra. Process is the same.

- Turn on engine
- Turn on AC and recirc
- Turn fan speed on full blast
- Spray Lysol (at the air return near passenger footwell area near cabin filter) in 3 sec burst about 3x. Wait a few seconds and repeat.
- Optional: (if musty smell is extremely severe) Turn off AC about 3-5 min before getting to your destination, but keep the fan running (recirc doesn't matter could be on or off).

I did this to my old Tundra and maybe 2 other vehicles. Musty smell never came back.

Company (Non Ford) vehicles I had, never did this. My sons (former) Escape and now my F150, have or had this issue. Lysol in the 2 air intakes: passenger side hood cowl and passenger foot area, will suck in enough to kill whats there and make it better.

Turn ac on, compressor off and fan on high. Spray each area for about 15 seconds. Turn off and let set. Things will be better.

Sometimes when the AC condensation doesn't completely drain residual moisture. That can cause mildew and mold to grow. I had this problem in one of my previous Ford vehicles. The dealer eventually has remove the dash and replace the AC unit.