4th gen mold smell??

[Camprunner]

I am getting some sort of mold smell from the air vents on my 4th gen ....... most of the time it's when I set the dile on defrost? any idea on a solution??

I change the cabin air filter on a reg basis also so I don't think it's that???

 

[pipspeak]

perhaps some condensation got down into the defrosting vents/ducts, mixed with dust and grew some mold?

 

[sharp4runr]

If mine sits (especially under the pine tree) for a while and I run the AC, it has a different smell to it. After running for the day, it goes away though.

 

[yabedude]

I am getting some sort of mold smell from the air vents on my 4th gen ....... most of the time it's when I set the dile on defrost? any idea on a solution??

I change the cabin air filter on a reg basis also so I don't think it's that???

Isn't that special. I too have the same issue. It happens with AC on and only comes from the vents in the dash. Been occurring for over a year. I also change the cabin/hepa filter frequently, and it's not that. In fact, there is no foul scent in that location.

 

[Neil]

I had this problem the first 2 years. I took it to the dealer before the warranty expires and they said that it is caused by a bacteria so they pour an anti bacterial solution in and run it through the ac system. I got it back after a few hours and I haven't had the problem since.

 

[noLimits]

I also had this same issue. Where do you put the antibacterial and can I do this myself or does the dealer have to do it.

 

[pipspeak]

I'm not sure what sort of antibacterial it might be but the usual way to rid ducts of odor and bugs is ozone. Find out if you dealer has an ozone generator... good detailing shops often have one.

Just be sure the dealer's not simply putting in some sort of odor masking agent.

 

[yabedude]

Would a radiator flush accomplish the same thing? I was planning on doing this anyway as it seems to be time.

 

[blindside]

No smell here so far after a year.. i always press the fresh air mode before i shut the car off so doesn't leave any funky smell on my AC

 

[Mark86]

The problem is that you are probably not using the A/C compressor a lot since the weather has been cooler. When you turn on the compressor, the A/C compressor is automatically turned on so that is why you are getting the smell. You can just change the filter to get rid of the smell. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure the unit is not on recirculate. Set your temperature really high so it doesn't go into recirculate automatically. Every few weeks, it doesn't hurt to turn on the compressor either.

 

[cmar]

I know this thread is about the ac but does anyone also get a smell when they turn on their heat?

 

[SupraTuRD]

I've always been in the habit of shutting off the AC at least 5 minutes before turning off the rig. Switch off the AC, but keep the fan blowing to help dry out any condensation in the system. I know exactly what that mold smells like... it's nazty.

A friend's car had the mold odor issue... we ran the fans at full tilt, then sprayed a ton of lysol into the vent below the windshield and basically fumigated the interior... worked great. Do this at your own risk though. :

 

[Uneek]

I've always been in the habit of shutting off the AC at least 5 minutes before turning off the rig. Switch off the AC, but keep the fan blowing to help dry out any condensation in the system. I know exactly what that mold smells like... it's nazty.

:iagree:

When the AC is runnig the evaporator is pulling the moisture out of the air before it enters the cabin, thus on a hot a day it's not unusual to find a puddle of water underneath the car. I get the smell in any car if the AC is shut off and left in recirculating.

Some have said spraying Lysol by the cowl (between windsheild and hood) while running your fan on fresh-air/intake could help. This supposedly can kill the bacteria. I don't know if Lysol has any effect on the plastics of the interior when it's spewing out of the vents.

 

[Neil]

I was actually experiencing this problem more when the heat was running then the ac but I think the entire system runs together. I am not sure though. I don't know what antibacterial material was used but I haven't had the problem in 18 months.

 

[LeesO4]

My heater has a strange odor regardless of which vent it comes from, if the a/c is on or off, or recirc or fresh air. This all started last winter.

 

[yabedude]

Sure wish I knew what antibacterial liquid I could use in the rad to clean this out.

 

[bzizzi]

My 05 Sport did the same thing and If you open up the vents to allow outside air to come in and spray Lysol or similar antibacterial spray into the intake vents in the cowl,it will make this smell go away.Just turn fan to Hi and start spraying.I let it sit for about a half hour and then do it again with FreeBreeze to make it smell good.It worked great for me !!!

 

[blkexp98]

I have a similar problem on my 2007 4runner. I usually run it with recirculate on and always on AC. If i dont run the heater with the AC on it will have a smell and almost have a heavy feel. Using the AC on make a huge difference in how the air smells and feels and it still gets hot.

So are yall basically saying i could try going to the dealer and explain the issue and they may use some antibacterial spray to stop it? That way i can actually use the heat without the AC on.

 

[yabedude]

Lysol spray into the vents beneath the windshield certainly took care of the smell. Time will tell whether it also killed the mold and mildew that must be present.

 

[VolFF]

I have this problem as well. most noticeable out of my center vents with the heat on, but I get i get a faint odor most of the time. I have brought it to the dealer for vent sanitizer too many times to count, and have left it over night at the dealer for the ozone generator. that has done nothing. I have recently unloaded 2 cans of Lysol, 1 into the heater intake under the windshield and the other right in the fan (where the filter goes) - that only seemed to help temporarily.

Once it warms up out here I will rip the ducting out of the truck and clean it because nothing else is working and the dealer is not being any help - go figure. If it solves the problem I will post it.