How can I get rid of a smell in a car air conditioner?

Question

Whenever we turn on the air vents in the car there is a very distinct smell, it's kindof like a stale pee smell. I've tried using one of the air fresheners that you stick on the vent but it's not getting rid of it.
Any suggestions as to what would cause this smell and how I can get rid of it? The car is only 8 months old and the smell has been there for several months. The rest of the car is clean and doesn't smell.

Answer 1

The smell is rotting algae! Sort of mossy stuff. It is probably that it is not letting all the water go down the drain (from condensation)... If it is still in warranty, take it to the dealer, and have him check drains from a/c-heater "box". If you can't get it done for nothing, get underneath and check to see that there isn't trash or they aren't stuck together so water can't run out! During hot weather you should be able to see water dribbling out under car near firewall - from near center (if 2 drains) and most cars have only one, - which would then be somewhere close to center of passengers feet area, Still near forewall ! If you haven't ever seen any water dripping there, then they are certianly plugged,- becacuse coolling air makes moisture come out in liquid form (water)!

Now about the smell! Getting the water out will help, because without water the algae will die and dry up, - eventeually going out the drain! Go to your local airport and buy a "can of OZIUM", -- this is what is used to get "puke smell" out of airplanes. Most FBOs (where the small planes go) carry this in their sales counter! There are several other brands, - but I can't tell you the names, -- but the operator will know what you are talking about and tell you where to get it - if he doesn't have it! Spray this in the "inlet area" of heater usually located under the hood or at least near the windshield-you will be able to hear the bolwer "sucking in air" with vent setting (or outside air setting)- if you don't know where to look (this is outsidfe the car of course)! This will pull the stuff into the heater "plenum" area wher the algae is, --and kill ,-and deodorize it! You might have to do this for a couple days or more if smell persists!

Answer 2

Car Air Conditioner Smells

Answer 3

If you find out, let me know... I have a hyundai sonata year 2000 and the smell has always been there. Don't know why. I brought it in and they can put in an alcohol based solution to clean it out but every year, the first couple of times I run it, the smell is still there. So this is what I do. For the first couple of runs when you need it, keep the windows open and blast it. Use the incoming air (not the in cabin air) at first. If you run it for awhile the smell will go away. Later you can switch to just recirculating the in cabin air. I know this sounds silly too but if you go to a car wash, the one that does the wax that has 3 different colors and smells like fruit stripe gum, run the air during the time that the stuff is sprayed on your car. It makes the car smell nice... well, like gum actually. At least it doesn't smell like feet. Happy smellin'!

Answer 4

Car Ac Smell

Answer 5

OK there are a lot of new cars out there with a filter called a cabin air filter.. this is a air filter inside your vehicle, in witch all the incoming air goes through. in most vehicles it is located behind/ or under the glove box.. some other models have it under the hood near the windshield on the passenger side. the smell could be from something caught in there or something worse.

Answer 6

for those that said change the air filter... air filters filter the air to the combustion chambers or commonly known a cylinders... they actually make a product for that, you spray it in the intake of the ac system which does on new cars have a changable filter which is under the hood, ... You spray it when the car is on, ac on and the settings are set for fresh air to come into the cabin. It is a like a antifungal (lysol)..

Systems for the deodorization, sanitation or disinfection of the interior or air conditioning system of a vehicle are widely known and have been disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,297,988 to Nishino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,034 to Ripple et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,045 to Freedman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,520 to Freedman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,902 to

Answer 7

is there an air filter for your airconditioner?

try changing that puppy

then ask the mechanic where it is - maybe you have an animal using it for a litter box

Answer 8

try putting a plate full of charcoal at the cabin area and leave it there for a night.
this may absorb unpleasant smell...
Hope this helps

Answer 9

if the car is only 8 months old, I would take it to the dealer and have them check it out because it should be under warranty.

Answer 10

you could check your air filter