Musty smell with fresh air

[TruckMan]

Hello: When I run the A/C I get nice fresh clean non smelling air. When I turn off the A/C and just have the fresh air/recirc button pushed, I get this musty smelling air, definitely not clean smelling air. What's up with this? Is anyone or has anyone had this problem? Thanks, TM

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[grumpyunk]

Likely some mold/mildew growing on the evaporator or the inner walls of the HVAC system. You can spray in some bleach water or other fungus killer via the fresh air intake. You want to douse it pretty well and then let the mixture sit for a while, then flush with a garden hose. The liquid should drain from the HVAC via the condensate drain. Don't go overboard or you will have water on the front floor.
There are commercial sprays that can be used that will foam on the evaporator and make the critters loosen their hold and get flushed. Search YT for vidos that demonstrate the procedure.

 

[TruckMan]

Likely some mold/mildew growing on the evaporator or the inner walls of the HVAC system. You can spray in some bleach water or other fungus killer via the fresh air intake. You want to douse it pretty well and then let the mixture sit for a while, then flush with a garden hose. The liquid should drain from the HVAC via the condensate drain. Don't go overboard or you will have water on the front floor.
There are commercial sprays that can be used that will foam on the evaporator and make the critters loosen their hold and get flushed. Search YT for vidos that demonstrate the procedure.

Thank you! TM

 

[KeithVi]

Toyota's had issues with air conditioning duct smells.

I remember reading recommendations to turn off the air conditioner and leave the fan on for the last 30 seconds of your travels every time you use the ac. That was intended to take the chill off the evaporator core and reduce the condensation. I used active charcoal inside air filters and that helped my camry a lot. As the other poster mentioned a spray foam with a fresh scent intended for evaporator applications can be purchased at a parts store.

 

[icegradner]

First thing to try is replacing the cabin air filter.

 

[Vols44]

Lysol for the intake and a new cabin filter every 12k miles are great preventive maintenance tasks.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Hello: When I run the A/C I get nice fresh clean non smelling air. When I turn off the A/C and just have the fresh air/recirc button pushed, I get this musty smelling air, definitely not clean smelling air. What's up with this?

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[TomD]

Hello: When I run the A/C I get nice fresh clean non smelling air. When I turn off the A/C and just have the fresh air/recirc button pushed, I get this musty smelling air, definitely not clean smelling air. What's up with this? Is anyone or has anyone had this problem? Thanks, TM

 

[TomD]

There is mildew in there somewhere. The problem is getting rid of it.

 

[TRUCKHEF]

Been having this problem, want to punch a hole in the ducting after the blower fan but don’t know where to drill one. Any ideas?

Did it once last year by going through the drain port on the bottom of the truck but that was a pain in the ass lifting it and taking off all the aero and heat shields.

 

[Ricketts]

Checked cabin air filter yet?

 

[TRUCKHEF]

Yup filter, and ducting to filter is good. Reason for punching hole is I'd like to spray expanding foam cleaner while fan is running to get a good cleanse, if I can't find a good spot to punch a hole I guess I'll just route the tube from the filter housing down past the fan and let it drip out that way.

 

[Maui]

Bring it to your dealer and report it. More complaints for the same problem will prompt a permanent solution from Ford Motor Co.

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