4th gen mold smell??

[yabedude]

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.

x2 here. Same old smell and ran out of Lysol. I think there is a pocket of stall water within the vents that feed the 2 front vents. That's where the stench is and nowhere else.

 

[TXRN1]

Our '08 we picked up pre-owned recently has the smell of dried piss when you turn on the vents with the fan on HI. It goes away after a while, but the next day the odor returns.

 

[LeesO4]

craziest thing. i replaced my cabin air filter and the smell went away. drove home from work with the heater on and could smell that funny heater mold smell. replaced filter and the next morning no smell with the heater.

 

[T4RBoarder]

I have this exact smell when I have my heater on and with the vents on my face...it doesn't do it for any other setting. I was going to replace the filter but that seems to not be the solution. Keep us posted

 

[Seatown]

Mildew smell

Same problem here! I'll be going to the dealer in two days for spark plugs and i'll ask about the mildew smell and see what they offer up; i'll post their response or course of action to see if it works.

p.s. lift goes on in 4 days!! (sorry i just had to tell someone:

 

[audiqtr]

: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.

Uneek is right in his diagnose. In terms of treating it, Change your cabin filter, and spray Ozium in your vents. I also spray it around the cabin filter and the housing as well. Ozium will kill the bacterial build up that is caused by the humudity and moisture build up in there. In terms of ongoing maintenance, turn on your AC system periodically to let it circulate ans make sure it functions properly. Ozium smells good as well. Hope this helps...

 

[yabedude]

I've been told that it's the type of foam tape that was used to join the vents in the center console. That the type of foam is susceptible to deterioration and results in a mold like smell. Only way to solve is to replace the foam tape.

 

[The Wanderer]

I also have had this problem and what I found works for me is to crank the heat full temp and fan speed on high. Let this continue for a minimum of 30 minuets or more, This will kill the bacteria growing in the duct. Best way to avoid this nasty smeel is to turn the a/c off before reaching your destination and let the blower continue pushing air through the plenum. You need to remove the moisture, if it sits the water will start growing more bacteria.