Sort of, Kind of, solution to A/C Stench

[captainm27]

So for the past few weeks I've been trying out ways to get rid of the infamous A/C stench. I've tried keeping it on Recirculate, still smells. I've tried spraying the Lysol in the intake vents....smells good for about 2 minutes, then the smell comes back. I've tried the cabin air filter, still stinky. But, I believe I have found not a permanent fix, but a more stable temporary fix. Basically, I keep the fan at 3 or 4 all the time. I never use 1 or 2. Here's what happens:

I'm cruising down the highway and the A/C is nice and cold....but maybe it gets a bit cold, so I turn it down a notch. About 15 seconds later, the stench comes. :-( So I have to switch it back to speed 3.

I keep mine at Recirculate, at speed 3 or 4. If it gets too cold, I just adjust the temp gauge, but keep the air blowing. If it actually does start to stink, I just switch to outside air for a 1 minute, then back to recirculate. Anyone else notice this? This seems to work for me, and I am happy, because I love A/C, and it's getting hot in NJ.

[ryota]

i think i've used my AC 5 times since i got the car... is the stench really that bad? i've never smelled anything

[captainm27]

Oh yeah, the stench is THAT bad! I'm the type of person who has the A/C on like from April - October. Something about that nice, dry air is really enjoyable to me.

[xtremesniper]

I know that even a BMW 6 series has the A/C stench. I don't know what the solution to it would be, but I haven't had the need to use A/C in my Yaris just yet, as this summer has proven to be not too humid. Nothing some windows down can't fix, anyway.

[kuyachris84]

well start by adding a cabin air filter.

second.

grab a shit load of these products and leave it in your car for awhile...

http://www.damprid.com/

And grab some lysol with neutra air ... for back up.

:thumbup:

[ern-diz]

i experience it too...i also like cool dry air so, i run the a/c almost all the time...both of the sedans my sister owned had it too...it literally smells like piss...i only get it when i switch to outside air tho, regardless of how hard i have it blowing so, i just keep it on recirculate all the time to avoid the smell...

[1stToyota]

Yes, start with a cabin air filter, and while you're at it place something like a Glade Plugin gel refill on top of the filter (I put membrane side down)...I did this about 2 weeks ago and I still get a nice fresh scent when I use the blower, instead of the normal stench I was getting. I tried a Vanilla Bug, but that didn't work as well, plus the Vanilla started smelling kinda foul after a while.

[auxmike]

Mine sometimes smells like acetone. Kinda a chemical minty smell.:iono:

[captainm27]

Yes, start with a cabin air filter, and while you're at it place something like a Glade Plugin gel refill on top of the filter (I put membrane side down)...I did this about 2 weeks ago and I still get a nice fresh scent when I use the blower, instead of the normal stench I was getting. I tried a Vanilla Bug, but that didn't work as well, plus the Vanilla started smelling kinda foul after a while.

How long do you think the glade plug-in would last?

[1stToyota]

How long do you think the glade plug-in would last?

Maybe a month? I bought a 3-pack, should almost get me through the stench season.

[ern-diz]

Maybe a month? I bought a 3-pack, should almost get me through the stench season.

LOL @ 'stench season'