Strange odor coming out of A/C vents
07-23-2011, 12:58 PM
#21
I think I've decided that my smell isn't really moldy or musty, but maybe something else.
I have also found it to be most noticeable like this:
Running max a/c recirc.
Floor it enough to kick off the compressor.
Smell the smell.....
2011 EB XLT SCAB 4X4
(soon to be collectors item tuxedo black)
I have also found it to be most noticeable like this:
Running max a/c recirc.
Floor it enough to kick off the compressor.
Smell the smell.....
2011 EB XLT SCAB 4X4
(soon to be collectors item tuxedo black)
07-23-2011, 01:12 PM
#22
I was just discussing this issue with the service manager over at the local Ford dealer. He said when the AC system is run on recalculate while the humidity is high, it creates more condensation than will drain off completely and that you're just recirculation stale air over and over. This causes mildew to build up after you shut down the AC and eventually can turn into mold. He also said, even though the AC will get cooler faster on recalculate it best to run the AC without it on recalculate. All of this is something new to me because I’ve been driving Ford all of my adult life and until I got my 2008 Fusion I never had this problem. Part of that makes sense but not all.
I've got a sneaky suspicion the air conditioning engineers may need to take another look at the AC systems design.
I've got a sneaky suspicion the air conditioning engineers may need to take another look at the AC systems design.
Last edited by shortride; 07-23-2011 at 01:32 PM.
07-23-2011, 04:59 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Abn150
^ He means recirculate, not recalculate. 
Recalculate is what your non-OEM nav system does all the time.
Recalculate is what your non-OEM nav system does all the time.
I'd really like to see if anyone can replicate my observations a couple of posts ago.
Not difficult, and it would help to know if we're experiencing the same thing. I'm not convinced it's a mold smell now......
07-31-2011, 09:16 AM
#25
I haven''t noticed a smell and AC works fine, but I do not get any water dripping to the ground from the AC. The wife's Flex drips water like crazy. Does anyone else notice this from your 2011 trucks?
07-31-2011, 09:21 AM
#26
Senior Member
Platinum Seans idea:
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!!
07-31-2011, 09:24 AM
#27
Senior Member
Yes I experienced the same thing you did. Actually I tried Platinum Seans idea first. (The quote below). I thought it worked as I was driving around running errands I no longer smelled the odor.I thought to myself "cool the odor is gone." Then I stopped at the drive through ATM. While leaving there I saw a small opening so I proceded to put my foot to the floor to quickly merge into traffic and I got a big whiff of the odor again.
Platinum Seans idea:
Platinum Seans idea:
07-31-2011, 01:49 PM
#28
It seems to be a pain.
Its not like a great big deal or anything.
I am going to try the turn off the a/c "fix" to verify what it is.
But realistically, I'm not going to remember to do that.
I'll just end up living with the smell when I floor it.
Its not like a great big deal or anything.
I am going to try the turn off the a/c "fix" to verify what it is.
But realistically, I'm not going to remember to do that.
I'll just end up living with the smell when I floor it.
07-31-2011, 02:41 PM
#29
Senior Member
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.
It is most definitely NOT a mildew or mold smell.
12-26-2011, 01:54 PM
#30
Senior Member
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That "odor" is from the blood...sweat...& tear's of the virtually million's of 99%er's, who have toiled & slaved to........................."Oh crap, wrong Forum!!!" 