Air Condition Smell

[ice2000]

My 2000 4Runner has 89K, yet there is a unique smell that is coming from the A/C vent when I turn on the A/C. My last 4Runner (1997) did the same thing at around 90-100K. A local tire shop mechanic sprayed "something" into the vents, and it took care of the stench. Any ideas?

 

[Larry]

For a first step, run your heater full blast when the engine is warm. Do this every day for a while while you drive and just as you stop. This can cook out any moisture in your vents.

This has worked for me, and now I do this about once or twice a month. If it does not work maybe you will make it eayser for a mechanic to complete the task.

 

[ice2000]

Thanks Larry!
I'll give it a try.
Thanks,
Leroy

 

[CMiYC]

To prevent it from happening, don't leave your air handling on "recirculate." After 90,000 miles its too late. However if you perodically make sure you open the "fresh air" while running the a/c, it'll help prevent moisture from building up.

 

[ice2000]

Thanks!
I always had the AC on recirculate!
Thanks,
Leroy

 

[live4swell]

There is a similar thread about 4th Gens

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6706


Basically spray lysol in the vents under the window with the fans on high and set for fresh air, should suck it in and clean up the smell

 

[spo0587]

Does your model have a cabin air filter? When I changed mine, I found all kinds of stuff, bugs, pine stray, and a midnight black filter. My musty smell that came on when using the AC went away upon changing it.

 

[schmidterhead]

Thanks I have a similar question!

 

[Toyojay]

My 2000 4Runner has 89K, yet there is a unique smell that is coming from the A/C vent when I turn on the A/C. My last 4Runner (1997) did the same thing at around 90-100K. A local tire shop mechanic sprayed "something" into the vents, and it took care of the stench. Any ideas?

Try starting your truck, running the AC on max and spraying plain Lysol into the air intake on the cowl, it will disinfect and hopefully kill whatever bacteria is causing the odor. Depending on how bad it is, it may take a couple of times. The parts house sells a spray for that, but Lysol is basically the same thing and is usually cheaper. Works pretty well in my truck.

 

[MFreund]

Try starting your truck, running the AC on max and spraying plain Lysol into the air intake on the cowl, it will disinfect and hopefully kill whatever bacteria is causing the odor. Depending on how bad it is, it may take a couple of times. The parts house sells a spray for that, but Lysol is basically the same thing and is usually cheaper. Works pretty well in my truck.

Beat me to it. We did that for my wife's Traverse. Also shut off the air conditioning and run the fan to dry out ducts before you shut the vehicle off.