Moldy/Mildewy Smell AC

[TRUCKHEF]

So after a year started getting that smell everyone knows about, decided to clean off the Evap coils with a foaming cleaner. I’ve done this for all my cars and it’s usually just find the AC drain spray and forget. NOT FOR THIS CAR! At least on the hybrid it’s in the center between driver and passenger footwells behind the heat shield…tons of screws have to come off for the engine bay undertray and then the left side undertray and then finally the heat shield, enough so that you can drop it and pull back and to the side behind the exhaust pipe. Now everything smells fresh and clean, I figure living in SOcal this will be a once a year thing to do. A better way to clean it would be drill a small hole after the blower motor before the evap coils. Does anyone know where I can drill a small hole after the blower motor to clean the coils better without all the work?

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[MakinDoForNow]

So after a year started getting that smell everyone knows about, decided to clean off the Evap coils with a foaming cleaner. I’ve done this for all my cars and it’s usually just find the AC drain spray and forget. NOT FOR THIS CAR! At least on the hybrid it’s in the center between driver and passenger footwells behind the heat shield…tons of screws have to come off for the engine bay undertray and then the left side undertray and then finally the heat shield, enough so that you can drop it and pull back and to the side behind the exhaust pipe. Now everything smells fresh and clean, I figure living in SOcal this will be a once a year thing to do. A better way to clean it would be drill a small hole after the blower motor before the evap coils. Does anyone know where I can drill a small hole after the blower motor to clean the coils better without all the work?

Would putting AC on recirculate and misting a cleaning solution in the intake where ever it is work???

 

[BlueSpec1]

Living in HUMID Houston area I may need to figure this out.

Odor Control
- https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/a-c-smells-like-vinegar-not-teen-spirit.76675/

1. NOTE: Identify the source of the odor.
• Check the evaporator core drain tube for restriction.
• Check the passenger and driver side carpet for moisture. If moisture is found, A/C odor treatment is not necessary. Diagnose for a water leak as needed.
• Check the cabin air filter and cabin air filter cover for moisture resulting from water bypassing the cowl baffling system. If moisture is found, A/C odor treatment is not
necessary. Diagnose for a water leak as needed.
• Check the inner cowl drain area and air inlet screen for material obstruction or standing water. Inspect the area removing any standing water and cleaning the air inlet screen if
possible, by using a wet/dry vacuum.

2. Open all vehicle windows and doors.
3. Make sure the A/C is off.
4. Remove the cabin air filter (if equipped).
5. NOTE: To avoid damage, do not spill or spray this product on the blower motor speed control.

Remove the blower motor speed control.

6. NOTE: To avoid damage, do not spill or spray this product or water on the blower motor speed control.
Add water (Distilled or deionized water is preferred. Do not apply tap water) in bottle and apply with the A/C Odor Remover Flexible Applicator Tool. For the correct odor removal tool applicator.

7. NOTE: Observe the drained water till the water appearance turns to a clear or clean look.
Insert the noozle into the evaporator housing and direct the spray toward the evaporator core face.

Spray the deionized water to entire evaporator for 5 - 10 minutes.

8. Select REGISTER/PANEL mode ( A/C off).
9. Adjust the temperature setting to full warm.
10. Adjust the blower motor speed to HI.
11. Run the engine for 25 minutes to dry out the A/C system.
12. Turn the ignition OFF.

13. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the vehicle interior, do not spill or spray this product on any interior surface.
NOTE: To avoid damage, do not spill or spray this product on the blower speed control.
NOTE: Only Motorcraft® A/C Cooling Coil Coating (YN-29) is approved for use on Ford vehicles. No other coating is approved. Use of other coatings may cause damage to the factory coating and more odor issues.

Add one full bottle of Motorcraft® A/C Cooling Coil Coating (YN-29) to the A/C Odor Remover Flexible Applicator tool. For the correct odor removal tool applicator,

14. Insert the nozzle into the evaporator housing and direct the spray toward the evaporator core face.

Spray the entire evaporator core face until empty.

15. Install the blower motor speed control.
16. Repeat Steps 8 through 12 to cure the cooling coil coating.
17. Install a new cabin air filter (if equipped).

 

[FunctionSpec]

After 14k miles, I got a mildewy smell and decided to replace the cabin filter since it was a bit dirty. Found a cabin filter with "activated carbon". Used this on my old cars and they worked great. Hoping it works well with the Maverick.

 

[Bushpilot]

Is there an "afterblow" setting in ForScan? If so, enabling that would help.

 

[TRUCKHEF]

I don’t know about an “after blow” setting but a good thing to do once a year would be to flush out the evap coil. Easiest way to do this is drop the glove box and drill a small hole to fit the applicator tube into the duct. I used Nextzett Klima Cleaner. Moldy mildew smell is gone without having to do all the labor of coming in from the bottom . Finish by slapping on some duct tape or cap over your new cleaner hole that you’ll be using once a year.

 

[Exranger]

Also helps to turn ac off for last 5 minutes of trip and leave fan on high blowing outside air. This dries out the internals somewhat and may extend cleaning intervals. Also increase frequency of cabin filter changes.

 

[Maui]

f

If your vehicle is still under warranty, don't hesitate to get a file on record with Ford before it is too late.

 

[ParkCityMav]

I don’t know about an “after blow” setting but a good thing to do once a year would be to flush out the evap coil. Easiest way to do this is drop the glove box and drill a small hole to fit the applicator tube into the duct. I used Nextzett Klima Cleaner. Moldy mildew smell is gone without having to do all the labor of coming in from the bottom . Finish by slapping on some duct tape or cap over your new cleaner hole that you’ll be using once a year.

Did this solution work? Where is this spot located that I need to drill this hole? Bad air smell is driving me crazy.

Thanks!

 

[TRUCKHEF]

yup it worked, stuff coming out of the drain hole was nasty...you can drill a hole anywhere in the ducting after the blower fan, just make sure the fan is on full blast so it pushes the foam into the evap coils. The hole I drilled in pics is right behind the glove box, can't miss it.

 

[Aherpa]

So after a year started getting that smell everyone knows about, decided to clean off the Evap coils with a foaming cleaner. I’ve done this for all my cars and it’s usually just find the AC drain spray and forget. NOT FOR THIS CAR! At least on the hybrid it’s in the center between driver and passenger footwells behind the heat shield…tons of screws have to come off for the engine bay undertray and then the left side undertray and then finally the heat shield, enough so that you can drop it and pull back and to the side behind the exhaust pipe. Now everything smells fresh and clean, I figure living in SOcal this will be a once a year thing to do. A better way to clean it would be drill a small hole after the blower motor before the evap coils. Does anyone know where I can drill a small hole after the blower motor to clean the coils better without all the work?

My dealer uses BG Frigi-Clean. They spray it into the outside air vents between the base of the hood and the bottom of the windshield. It foams up and drains out the evap drain pipe.
They used it on my Grand Marquis years ago and it fixed the problem for sure. The odor never came back.
They said the crap that came out the evap drain was nasty. It worked so well, they don't use the Ford product they had been using. . . .

 

[Ryom]

Looks easy enough for the most part.

 

[TRUCKHEF]

My dealer uses BG Frigi-Clean. They spray it into the outside air vents between the base of the hood and the bottom of the windshield. It foams up and drains out the evap drain pipe.
They used it on my Grand Marquis years ago and it fixed the problem for sure. The odor never came back.
They said the crap that came out the evap drain was nasty. It worked so well, they don't use the Ford product they had been using. . . .

You don't wanna apply in that location, its gonna get all over your filter and blower motor and potentially fry some electronics.

 

[OleFordGuy]

f

If your vehicle is still under warranty, don't hesitate to get a file on record with Ford before it is too late.

Oh my, that looks like a nightmare

 

[scotty]

I don’t know about an “after blow” setting but a good thing to do once a year would be to flush out the evap coil. Easiest way to do this is drop the glove box and drill a small hole to fit the applicator tube into the duct. I used Nextzett Klima Cleaner. Moldy mildew smell is gone without having to do all the labor of coming in from the bottom . Finish by slapping on some duct tape or cap over your new cleaner hole that you’ll be using once a year.

That is a good idea. Actually thank you for product also.I don't know how you found out that is where the coils are, but glad.
So that flexible hose you move from left to right hoping the hose will position itself over the coils.

End result mildew on coils is what you were removing. But when mildew drop from coils, doesn't the mildew find a new home, which would maintain the smell?

I though the smell would find its way to the felt material on the shield guard under the car.

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