Weird smell coming from A/C - moist/moldy smell

[ice512]

I don't know if anyone is experiencing the same but there's this strange moldy smell coming from the A/C. I find it really weird considering my car is spotless and it's so darn hot outside, there should not be any moisture built up in the system. The A/C system is being used at 3 to 4 bars on a daily basis.

Anyone has any idea why? Thanks in advance~!

[sarujo]

Always good practice with vehicle A/C units to turn off A/C and recirc a few minutes before reaching your destination thus allowing built-up condensation to dry out. This is the source of the "mouldy smell" you speak of.

[Arbitrageur]

This happened to me, too. The smell use to happen as soon as I turned it on but then would go away. It happens rarely now.


Always good practice with vehicle A/C units to turn off A/C and recirc a few minutes before reaching your destination thus allowing built-up condensation to dry out. This is the source of the "mouldy smell" you speak of.

Thanks, I'll give this a shot!

[peterm15]

Ever any mist shooting out and it doesn't seem cold?

[ice512]

Ever any mist shooting out and it doesn't seem cold?

no mist shooting out and it's definitely cold. the car is only 1 year old if that matters. :(

[tmpz]

Try checking/changing the cabin air filter.

[slam525i]

That's why I always turn off the AC for a few minutes before shutting down. The condensation that forms in the vents leads to growth of mould.

In my previous car, I tried a spray that was supposed to help, but it was of limited effect. You can buy it at Canadian tire.

(This one isn't the one I tried. If you try it, let us know how well it works: http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/odorstop-0390428p.html#.U7P8BLGTHoE)

[stock3]

+1 to turning the AC off with the fan running few minutes before arriving at the destination. Also check the drain line if it's not clogged.

[DumpInfo]

Try checking/changing the cabin air filter.

+1

it's the air filter change it and when you do spray Febreeze.

[Lux]

You need to get direct access to the evaporator core to clean it.
Wash the evaporator with isopropyl alcohol to kill the mould.
African-engineered budget alternative is cheap vodka in a spray bottle.

Doing a drying cycle after using air conditioning is good practice, but not a repair for the odour already present.