Logan Vincent Healy 4 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I'm not sure if this isthe correct section to be posting this, but here it is. My girlfriend has been telling me about a gross smell coming from her A/C when it is on. She says it smells like feet or mildew. I haven't experienced this for myself, been driving my Cruze, but I do believe her. Could this be the air filter? Or mildew in the A/C system? If so how do I fix this? Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 It could be. I would remove the air filter and check first. I would also pull up floe mats and check for water. Link to post Share on other sites
Widget 36 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 If an A/C system goes unused for a while there will be a smell once it strats getting used again, it should disappear with a bit of use. Logan Vincent Healy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Logan Vincent Healy 4 Posted May 27, 2013 Author Share Posted May 27, 2013 If an A/C system goes unused for a while there will be a smell once it strats getting used again, it should disappear with a bit of use. She said it's mainly when she turns it on, but she's used it almost everyday so IDK. It could be. I would remove the air filter and check first. I would also pull up floe mats and check for water. I'll definitely have to check that, where is the air filter located on the Spark? I know on the Cruze it is in the glovebox. Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Just need to flip down the glovebox and remove it. Then the filter is right there can't miss it. Link to post Share on other sites
Logan Vincent Healy 4 Posted May 27, 2013 Author Share Posted May 27, 2013 Just need to flip down the glovebox and remove it. Then the filter is right there can't miss it. Thanks, I checked it out and it seemed to be clean, very little dust or dirt, as she has only had the car for about 2,000 miles. I turned it on and didn't smell anything but she's pregnant and can smell anything for miles so hopefully it's nothing serious. Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Mine has had a little scent a few times but nothing real bad. But after running it now since its summer here in FL it is totally gone. Logan Vincent Healy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Trancer07 30 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 (edited) I'm not sure if this isthe correct section to be posting this, but here it is. My girlfriend has been telling me about a gross smell coming from her A/C when it is on. She says it smells like feet or mildew. I haven't experienced this for myself, been driving my Cruze, but I do believe her. Could this be the air filter? Or mildew in the A/C system? If so how do I fix this? This is exactly how my mother's 2010 Volkswagen Jetta's A/C smells. It does smell kinda gross for a few minutes but it goes away. I doubt there's much you can really do to eliminate it. Edited May 28, 2013 by Trancer07 Logan Vincent Healy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
NoSprak 17 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I used to have to Lysol out the HVAC yearly in my Taurus. For some reason, it would always mold up really bad. You couldn't smell or see anything with the cabin air filter pulled, but when you turned on the AC ... wow! What I would do is turn the A/C on (not MAX AC or Recirculate ... important) and turn the blower motor to high, then just spray some lysol into the ducting. It would suck it in and do an excellent job of killing the smells. Logan Vincent Healy and Retired old Gearhead 2 Link to post Share on other sites
austex04 48 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 There is stuff specific for ac evaporator coils that is enzyme based mold inhibitor, that you spray into the ducts with the fan running and the filter removed. Ask anyone who owned a Taurus, those are the worst for mold and ac smells. I haven't noticed any musty smells yet. Logan Vincent Healy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Vicvector 2 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) My 98 Jeep Wrangler had that same smell problem. Just before shutting the Jeep off I would turn the A/C off and run the heater on high through the vents for about a minute or two. Did this for a couple of days and that pretty much took care of it. Hope this helps. Edited June 12, 2014 by Vicvector Link to post Share on other sites
Jarome Iginla 0 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Your ac unit needs to be maintained regularly to ensure its proper functioning. You can also carry out the maintenance process of your ac all by yourself. The condenser of the ac unit is the main component that need proper cleaning. In addition to all this, you also need to get your ac repair performed from time to time Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Yup..I too have that musty smell..BUT ONLY when I have the recirculate button pushed to on. My solution was to remove the filter in the glove box and spray the filter with Fabreeze or Lysol or Lavender spray. That pretty well worked for us and lasts a few months. If I run the AC without recirculate on..no smell at all and what some others have mentioned about spraying the vents sound like a good idea for those that have not used the AC for a while...Mind you here in Miami we pretty well use the AC 10 months of the year or more. I sometimes use the same sprays on our central home A/C filters and it gives the house a nice fresh smell. Pinesol works well to kill germs and bacteria, but, well..not quite sure if you want the car or home smelling like a Pine Forest...If you get my drift? To be honest with you..I prefer to open the home windows at night when not too humid..Nice ocean scent without the chemicals. Link to post Share on other sites
sheldomsmith 0 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 This is due to the air filters not cleaned properly.Do filter cleaning once a month after having regular air conditioning. This will prevent the smell coming from the air conditioning unit. Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Never argue with a pregnant girl. If she says it smells..it smells. 'Nuff said... Link to post Share on other sites
Gossamer 50 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Somewhere in one of the A/C threads I mentioned that there is some sort of TSB or repair for this problem. I believe I posted the number for it. Sorry I don't have the information about it available right now. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now