My car's AC makes me sick, what could be the reason?

Question

When I use the AC in my car, I get really dizzy, and have even blacked out once... which is why I do not use it anymore. I am wondering if this could be a problem with the car?

there is also a weird smell

Answer 1

More than likely, the evaporator in your car is clogged with dirt and mold. The dash will need to be removed, and the evaporator will need to be either cleaned or replaced. I would recommend replacing it since it is a relatively big job to get to it.

Answer 2

Everyone was talking about the problem of the vehicles. No. I don't think so. My family are doing fine. Go on and spin to the highest number and they'll still be fine. I do have the same problem as yours. Not only on one car, but every car that runs AC. Whenever the AC is on, I can feel a flow of cold air running through my nose and go straight up to my brain. My eyes hurts too. Usually people keep telling me to sit in the middle and look front. Bullshit. It doesn't work. Go on and tell me to sit in the middle, and be prepared to catch my puke. If you're having a breathing problem with AC in vehicles, you should actually sits beside the windows. But if you're the driver, then good. Open the window. Fresh air helps you better.

Answer 3

A clogged expansion valve will starve your compressor of oil, If your compressor does not get oil then it will eventually burn out. The reason they charged you to give you the part back is due to a "core cost". When they buy a part that calls for a core, the shop get's charged a certain amount of money till the auto part place they bought it from recieve's the old part which is then credited back. My guess is that if you had a clogged expansion valve then you needed a compressor as well. Lexus can be expensive, but any shop is going to make money off part's that's how they are able to offer a warranty. You can probably just pop the hood and see a brand new compressor it will be shiny. Good Luck

Answer 4

Well...If you didn't run the AC for a long time, the wierd smell could just be from everything getting stagnent (it means old and stail).

If it's making you sick, and causing black outs, you may have engine exhaust coming in to the cab of your car. That's what it sounds like. I have actually heard if that happening. It can cause severe brain damage and extreme headaches. take it to a mechanic.

Answer 5

OK, Listen.. If your vehicle has a freon leak..
The leak will occur continuously and in a short time the freon would be gone.
The system does not decide to leak only when the a/c is being used...
There is not that much freon in a automotive system and it would leak when the system is static (sitting still, not being used). If it could leak enough to make you feel sick then it would only be a matter of minutes before system was empty and symptoms would not reoccur.
As to the system needing to be serviced as a cause of odor is not true. The freon passes through a hermetically sealed aluminum evaporator, as the atmospheric molecules are passed over and through this finned device similar to a radiator, then the molecules heat is absorbed, or to simplify it are slowed down, (made cool). http://www.howstuffworks.com/ac.htm
No other chemical process happens to these molecules to make them toxic or poisonous.
What you need to look at is the path the air takes before and after the evaporator in the cars duct work.
First.. Recently cars have been given a filter which filters the air coming in right before the evaporator, they become clogged with contaminates, dust, pollen, basically anything that is in the air where ever you have gone with heater or a/c on. They can become moldy and dirty. They are changed at regular intervals the same as your air filter for engine.
This cabin filter is critical. If your vehicle is late model then it has one.
Also as stated in a previous post the evaporator itself can trap dust which builds up and becomes wet from naturally occuring evaporator condensation. Thats where that water that drips out of your car on a hot day when using the a/c comes from. They can easily become clogged with dirt and develop mold and other nasty stuff.
Evaporators are always wet when a/c is on and there is humitidy in the atmosphere.
Here are some articles on automotive a/c odor.
http://www.airsept.com/index.php?loadmod=particles
I am N.I.A.S.E. certified master technician with 30+ years experience, I have seen everything from rats nests built in the duct work, dead mice/rats, strange liquids spilled into the defroster vents draining down to the evaporator case and growing funny molds, items dropped and obstructing blower wheel causing plastic burning smell, road kill on the exhaust being drawn into engine cabin when blower is on, the list goes on.
Heres a product that looks promising http://www.cleanairhome.com/index.html
I would still ask myself what is causing excess moisture that is condusive to mold growth?
One other thing, since you described dizzyness, it is posible carbon monoxide poisoning is happening, it is unlikely, but if dizziness continues and anyone else experiences it, then roll down windows and have your cars exhaust checked by the best you can find!! Usually in my experience the first signs of poisoning is tingling,numbish lips.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning

Blacking out due to something the vehicle does is deadly serious !!! Get it fixed by known capable Technician!

Answer 6

You have an exhaust leak that is getting into the AC plenum. The CO and CO2 are making you ill. It's VERY bad for you.

Get you car checked out... now.

Answer 7

Hi,
Through experience in dealing with air-con and auto electronics. The problem is likely to be bacteria build up on the evaporator unit in the car.It requires a bacteria treatment. This is not as bad as you think to get done, all that is required is a treatment which is usually a pipe put down the car air vent to get to the evaporator. A spray bacteria cleanser is applied, this should cure the problem..
It needs to be done because the spoors can cause respiratory problems, head aces and the problems you describe.
Hope this is helpful to you
Ian.

Answer 8

I have the same problem as yours. I don't really like riding AC car or bus. Makes me nauseous and gives me a headache. I better like the breeze outside. I think I have some problem with my health but I don't know.

Answer 9

freon displaces the oxygen in the air this can make you pass out have shop check inside of car with electronic leak detector....carbon monoxide will make your nose run first eyes get red have exhaust system checked.... life's lessons
are remembered long after you put the book down

Answer 10

I really think the problem is in your exhaust system. Have it checked IMMEDIATELY! The smell and the dizziness is carbon monoxide and the signs of as exhaust leak. That that could end up killing you and your passengers not to mention oncoming or side traffic!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!