I have a weird smell coming out of my vents in my car. How can I get it out? It might be from the air conditio

Question

It kind of smells like a chemically mildew smell. Can I rinse this out somehow?

Answer 1

check your car manual or the internet on how to remove the air con filters.

You can wash them but should probably get new ones.

goodluck.

Answer 2

The air conditioning compressor generates some moisture due to condensation... this moisture can form a small amount of mildew at times inside the vents, and that's the smell that kicks in as your fan is first coming on. A quickie fix... spray some Lysol freshener into each vent opening, then run your HEATER full blast for a few minutes...it should dry up the mildewed areas inside the vents and freshen the air for you. (the Lysol is to kill any mold or mildew). Then take your favorite scent or air freshener and repeat the process. You can't rinse the vents out, at least not without dismantling the whole dash...so forget that scenario.

Check to see if your vehicle has a "CABIN" air filter that filters the incoming air... a dealer or Auto Zone, Advance auto parts, etc. can tell you if you have one and where it is, and sell you a new one. If you haven't changed it, I'd suggest doing so...it might help freshen the interior air as well. If you don't want to tackle it yourself, I believe some of the jiffy-lube oil change places also change cabin filters.

Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Have the A/C evaporator pan drain hose checked for debris. Over a era of time this hose turns into blocked and humidity does no longer drain thoroughly. to sparkling, one may might want to bypass below the motorized vehicle (have eye safe practices) on the right area firewall section and seem up for the vertical drain hose. Squeeze this hose countless situations and be prepared for the water that comes out. you could also might want to apply a coat hanger twine to probe better up. There are also fresheners that could be offered and sprayed thur the outdoors cover vent to cover the unusual scent. Have the A/C in use even as that is utilized.

Answer 4

Sounds like cabin filters. It's a filter that really needs to be changed every 2 years, but mostly gets ignored with scheduled maintenance outside of the dealership.

Does "new car smell" come to mind ? Those are what the filters smell like brand new !!!!

I would febreeze the vents until I get to a dealership.

$100 job, though.

Answer 5

Have the air conditioner checked, by a car mechanic or even the dealer. Usualy if something is spilled into the vents, the ac shorts out. But unless you had liquid in the car and near the vents, recently, it could be something else. Maybe even a burnt wire.

Answer 6

If its only with the Ac on its due to the vents having GUNK on them if its at all times could be from dead animal to your engine not combusting properly. Air filter only improves gas mileage that air doesnt Technically reach you. Rinse out with a hose and you will have a host of problems associated with it. What type of car is it?

Answer 7

Yes I know what you can do, get a new car!!! If it is mold you could get really sick or even die. So, I would suggest getting another car or having a professional check out. How long have you had this car? Could it have been in the Hurricane under water or anything like that? Something to think about

Answer 8

Your air filter might need to be cleaned. Sometimes the smell can occur if it has been damp or raining. If it's nothing, it usually goes away once the air has been on. But it could be a filter that needs to be changed.

Answer 9

Condensation from the compressor is gathering on the coil or somewhere near an intake. I don't know what kind of vehicle you have but several manufacturers had a recall out to solve this.

Answer 10

You more than likely have something under your hood. weather it be some leaves or some dead animal. Inspect under the hood a little bit and see what ya can find. Also whenever you are washing your car with a power washer flip that hood up and spray it down.