It smells like mildew when I turn on the vents. Stronger when I first turn it on. My mechanic suggested that I spray auto febreeze under the hood near the windshield where the air sucks in with the air conditioning pumping on high. Is this a good idea?
2006-07-17 12:42:18 · 8 answers · asked by hypothetical 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
mildew smell coming from the vents is a real common on vehicles older than 3 yrs especially if u use the air con all the time . what happens is you probably have the ac set for recirculated air so the evaporator core under the dash does not get fresh air from the outside to dry out the condensation that collects when ac is in use . i would actually spray Lysol into The air ducts and also on the cowl area in Front of the wind shield . you probably need to repeat this several times . i also suggest that when ac is not in use set it for fresh outside air and turn vent setting to high and if you can tolerate it maybe turn the heater on so you can dry out evaporator core . some repair shops offer a special service for this where they clean and disinfect the evaporator with a special chemical but it can get pricey. using Lysol usually works just as good but you might have to repeat the process more than once
2006-07-17 12:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by raiderpt1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope Replace The Cabin Air Filter In The Car. There Is A Filter Inside Of Your Car Similiar To A Engine Air Filter But For Inside Of Your Car. A 99 Camry 7 year Old Car Is Definately Due For It.
2006-07-17 19:46:12 · answer #2 · answered by nitehawk8075 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I smell something more than mildew, here. I smell fraud. Did you buy the car used? You very well could have gotten a car that was in a flood. There are several ways you can tell. Pull back the carpet in the trunk and look at the bolts. Remove any spare tire and check there, also. Are they rusty? Open your glove box and rub a white cloth through the top and examine it also for rust. Take off the dash panel and examine the fuses for corrosion as well. I was told by a used car salesman that it was difficult to find enough cars that hadn't been "fixed". They can shine them up to look like new. You just have to know what to look for. If you find that you have been duped, contact the Attorney General's office where the transaction took place for legal advice.
2006-07-17 19:56:24 · answer #3 · answered by lavenderbluelassie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok here is the rear scoop.
Look for a small tube comming from the fire wal. This is the air condictiond water vent. If it gets stopted up the water that condenses from the air condictioning core vents out the excess water.
If it gets stopted up the water collects in its tray and drys up leaving the mildew smell.
First locate this vent and be shure it is not pluged. Next if possable get the garden hose and on a small spray put it into this vent or drain and wash it out. Not a lot of water in here just eneff to wash it out. Next you can spray the vent with freebreeze and it will get rid of the smell.
2006-07-17 19:50:25 · answer #4 · answered by goldwing127959 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cabin air filter is the answer. It is inside the glove box. Have to unscrew a few screws to get to it. Just pop it out and replace. Costs about $15.
2006-07-17 19:57:20 · answer #5 · answered by justfunnin8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My *GUESS* is, the evaporator has collected dust and the dust is growing mildew.
You can try the over-the-counter remedy, but if it doesn't work, you'll have to have a mechanic partially disassemble your dash (or under dash) and manually clean the evaporator.
2006-07-17 19:47:47 · answer #6 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fabreese wouldn't hurt any thing,however are you sure that car hasn't been under water?Pull the kick panels loose and the carpeting away from firewall.
2006-07-17 19:55:51 · answer #7 · answered by cowwagon2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Toyotas stink, literally
2006-07-17 19:46:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋