Weird smell coming from the A/C

[optiklenz13]

So, I have issues with my A/C. When I turn it on, the first air that blows out of it smells like a person who didn't shower for like months. I'm guessing this is caused by the rust proofing done to my car? Will it go away eventually or should I make a trip to the dealer to figure out?

Sorry if this has been covered, search air conditioning and I can't find this issue.

Thanks in advance. I have a 2009 MS3 if it matters.

[TheMAN]

it's mold in the evaporator... driving with outside air all the time exacerbates this... but you can get the dealer to use chemicals to kill the mold inside

[slam525i]

If you want to go the cheaper option, there is a spray you can get at canadian tire or parts source.

I've been very retentive about turning off the A/C and letting it blow for the last few minutes each drive to avoid this.

[optiklenz13]

Any idea what the name of this spray is so I can just do it myself?

[mazda lover]

If you want to go the cheaper option, there is a spray you can get at canadian tire or parts source.

I've been very retentive about turning off the A/C and letting it blow for the last few minutes each drive to avoid this.

I do the same, but I turn the temp to hot to help it dry out the evaporator faster, no smell issues ever. What kind of rust proofing did you get? I hope not from the dealer...

[optiklenz13]

hmmm.. i didn't have any problems with other cars before. so do i have to really do this every time? that sucks balls!!!

i got the rust proofing from the dealer. not sure what's wrong with having that except if you were ripped off, well i wasn't and it's a long story. so there.

[aris]

On a brand new car it should not smell...mine doesn't and my car is 1 year old with 50,000km

[fatsock]

That's crazy, I've never seen/smelled that before? Good Luck.

[slam525i]

I can't remember the name and the Canadian Tire website refuses to cooperate. Shouldn't be that hard to find though. Just ask for the stuff you spray into the AC vents to kill mold. They should know what you're taking about.

[aris]

lysol works too...

[optiklenz13]

lysol works too...

that's a good idea.

thanks for all the input guys.

[aris]

that's a good idea.

thanks for all the input guys.

Years ago i used it in my truck..i sprayed it from the out side where the cowl is.

[mazda lover]

hmmm.. i didn't have any problems with other cars before. so do i have to really do this every time? that sucks balls!!!

i got the rust proofing from the dealer. not sure what's wrong with having that except if you were ripped off, well i wasn't and it's a long story. so there.


even if you paid $1 for the tar-wax rust proofing from the dealer people got ripped off...lol...JMO
so there
was the engine bay sprayed, if so the A/C -heater might pick up the smell of the gunk

[optiklenz13]

yes the engine bay was sprayed..

[mazda lover]

yes the engine bay was sprayed..


well that might be the problem?

[JashiK]

i used lysol for my TL and the smell goes away for a week and then it's back.

[Skip]

I've got the same issue, its so embarassing!! I've noticed it has died down a little bit after letting the fan blow after using the ac

[koorick]

I have the same problem too, 2010 MZ3 GT.. foul smell coming out of the A/C vent switching between a/c and just fan.
The car is not even a year old yet, but the smell is not going anywhere.
I've read online there are some stuff you can spray into the A/C system that can kill the bacteria and other odour causing agents, do you folks have any recommended ones other than lysol / frebeeze ? I don't want to spray the lysol stuff into the car very few days as they wear outs

[optiklenz13]

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/cx7/bulletin/07-006-08-2016.pdf

[mazda lover]

I have the same problem too, 2010 MZ3 GT.. foul smell coming out of the A/C vent switching between a/c and just fan.
The car is not even a year old yet, but the smell is not going anywhere.
I've read online there are some stuff you can spray into the A/C system that can kill the bacteria and other odour causing agents, do you folks have any recommended ones other than lysol / frebeeze ? I don't want to spray the lysol stuff into the car very few days as they wear outs

See post #5^ to control the smell from re appearing after the system is cleaned,

[billd80]

No smell for me yet, but I have noticed when I hit the a/c button off and leave the fan running, my whole car fogs up and even begins to almost drip from the vents. Why is there so much condensation staying inside the car?, I've had a couple of vehicles that drained out quite a bit but always OUTSIDE the car!, must be a design issue? Never had a car a/c system that held so much moisture inside.

[higguns]

I can't remember the name and the Canadian Tire website refuses to cooperate. Shouldn't be that hard to find though. Just ask for the stuff you spray into the AC vents to kill mold. They should know what you're taking about.

i'm guessing this is the stuff?
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/CanadianTire/0390428_1?$medium$&defaultImage=image_na_EN
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/CarWashingCleaning/InteriorCarCare/PRD~0390428P/Emzone%252BOdorStop%252BVentilation%252BSystem%252 BTreatment%25252C%252B156g.jsp?locale=en
no reviews on ct for this product
might give it a try as i sometimes have a smell too

[Zuluwun]

change the cabin air filters?

[koorick]

i'm guessing this is the stuff?
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/CanadianTire/0390428_1?$medium$&defaultImage=image_na_EN
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/CarWashingCleaning/InteriorCarCare/PRD~0390428P/Emzone%252BOdorStop%252BVentilation%252BSystem%252 BTreatment%25252C%252B156g.jsp?locale=en
no reviews on ct for this product
might give it a try as i sometimes have a smell too

Thanks, bought a can of those the other day and popped it yesterday, the car smells like......*i can't even describe the smell* some fragrance now
you really need to vantilate the car after using it.

Will keep you all posted to see if it works

[liquidzyklon]

change the cabin air filters?That may or may not help.

I notice that almost all ACs in cars have a problem different from the OP. After you have run the AC for sometime and turn off the AC but keep the fan running, you'll notice a different smell in the air coming out. It's hard to describe, but it's of moist or musty air. Something to do with the fact that the compressor just turned off and there's condensate there. I would like to see if the product from CanadianTire can rid of this smell.

[Punkrockjohn]

i notice that the smell is sometimes worse based on what cooling/heating settings i set it to