AC Hygene

[zen_]

Getting our first 90 degree days in the Midwest, and while bringing a friend back from lunch I got into a pretty good tussle about turning the AC off, and the fans on high a few minutes before parking the vehicle for more than 3-4 hours. Maybe once a month during the summer I mist some lysol through the intakes too to kill any bacteria. I don't like breathing bacteria and musty air, and I can sure survive a few minutes without AC.

This fella seemed absolutely incredulous about drying out the system a bit before parking, but I was also amazed that someone was so terrified about going a whole 90 SECONDS without air conditioning before stepping outside, to go right back into a climate controlled building. My god, what can you even say. Am I the grumpy old man now, and am I doing it wrong venting out the AC?

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[inline_five]

I'm pretty fanatical about turning off the a/c 4-5 minutes away from parking for any length of time. I also turn up the fan speed to help clear/dry the evaporator off.

I also use the best/highest quality cabin air filters I can find (Motorcraft brand FPP-89).

I've had to replace an evaporator on a vehicle before and it was not fun at all. Keeping it dry when parked helps get rid of the nasty smells that accumulate later in life, and keeping it clean prevents buildup for happening which will lead to leaks.

Keep in mind per the Ford manual you should run the a/c a few minutes per month to keep the seals from drying out.

If you don't plan on keeping the vehicle for the long term, ignore the above advice and just use it as needed . If you have a hybrid the compressor is a scroll type and very durable.

 

[Benilla]

AC is an all or nothing affair. Once you decide to turn it on, that's it because as soon as you turn it off, it stinks!! I've emptied an entire bottle of cleaner only for it to return after a few drives

 

[TomBill]

WTF are you all talking about? Drying out the AC? I feel like people make these nit picky ideas in their head. Run it or don't

 

[KEMeyer]

Here in Iowa we get plenty of heat and humidity from late Spring to early Fall. I must be lucky because I just set the temp control where I want it and let the system do its thing, and I haven't have any odor issues.

 

[heady]

This is probably a sensible idea to dry off the evaporator after each use to extend the coil cleaning intervals, not sure about the lysol spray - but it's nothing I've ever done myself. Your vehicle, your rules though - if the passenger doesn't like it, walking is good cardio.

 

[Exranger]

Yes it’s a real thing, run the fan with no ac for the last mile of your drive. Believe me now, thank me later.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

This is probably a sensible idea to dry off the evaporator after each use to extend the coil cleaning intervals, not sure about the lysol spray - but it's nothing I've ever done myself. Your vehicle, your rules though - if the passenger doesn't like it, walking is good cardio.

'Rollin is better than strollin'

As someone once told me when I apologized for the little jump seat in my extended cab Ranger.

 

[heady]

Hah! That reminds me of the seats that came in the bed of the Subaru Brat - any unruly passenger just stick them in the bed!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Hah! That reminds me of the seats that came in the bed of the Subaru Brat - any unruly passenger just stick them in the bed!

And tell them to hang on and shut up.

 

[Ryom]

There are sprays you can use to kill biofilm that grows from the condensate sitting in the warm darkness of the HVAC system after the vehicle shuts down. Remove the cabin air filter and spray in the foaming coil cleaner, let it sit to drain for 30 minutes and then run the heat for a few minutes to dry the system out. This is usually more useful in areas of the country where you don't use the heat much or at all. There are specialty made products for this purpose.

Black mold and biofilm in an A/C system is going to happen sooner rather than later. I've seen some truly horrifying mini-split heads that never got serviced and were absolutely leaking death.

 

[Cherokee]

I leave my AC set on 72 degrees. My Dual zone Auto A/C is fantastic.
I don’t turn it off.
Your buddy is possibly a paranoid schizophrenic.
Tell him if he touches or bitches about your A/C again he can walk.

If you’re worried about bacteria your immune system is not getting exercised properly.
Get rid of all your antibacterial soaps and get a dog.
Stop using listerine, it kills the good bacteria in your mouth making you more susceptible to infections.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

meh, I live where I have never once watered the lawn and green algae grows on the side of houses. (HUMID!) and have run the A/C from March up to November, and never worried about that.

I've seen some people here complain about how the system won't stay on "recirculate"- it's been programmed to let fresh air in as needed. Good enough for me

 

[TRUCKHEF]

Spraying Lysol down the intake doesn’t do anything. It’ll just hit your filter/blower motor. That’s not where mold and bacteria accumulate.

Your friend is right about running the fan to dry off the coils from any condensate it’s good practice but ain’t nobody got time for that, you will still eventually get the smell.

My solution was to punch a hole in the air box after the blower motor and twice a year (once before and after summer) spray some foaming cleaner while the blower motor is on full blast. Cleans everything and drips out the AC drain, I’ve seen some nasty stuff coming out.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/moldy-mildewy-smell-ac.30722/#post-893802

 

[Dave O]

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