Cleaning A/C ducts?

[Dezert4Runner]

Since I got my new to me 96 4Runner in April, the A/C smells when turned on. Moldy/ B.O. type of smell :barf:

I saw this thread with the same issue, but too many different suggestions for what to use to clean out the vents for me to determine what will work best.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/72171-stinky-c.html?highlight=smell+from+ac

Anybody who's done this have any recommendations on what to use and where to buy it? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Nobody?

 

[StreetKill831]

Have you replaced your interior air filter yet? I imagine that would make a huge difference. I believe it is located under the glove box. You could try finding the intake for when you have the AC set to cycle the inside air and while it is running spray febreze in there.

 

[bak3rme]

Have you replaced your interior air filter yet? I imagine that would make a huge difference. I believe it is located under the glove box. You could try finding the intake for when you have the AC set to cycle the inside air and while it is running spray febreze in there.

i dont think the 3rd gens has these cabin air filter..though i may be wrong

 

[StreetKill831]

i dont think the 3rd gens has these cabin air filter..though i may be wrong

Really? I was almost positive they did. I guess I'll search it.

I was wrong, I guess it's a newer thing. Could still try spraying febreze into the fan intake while it's running.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I was pretty sure there was no cabin air filter or I woulda tried that before posting a thread. I take it Lysol or something anti-bacterial should work. I just wanted to see if there was a purpose-specific product available. I'll give the Lysol or Febreeze a go & let everyone know how it works.

 

[Dous]

I was pretty sure there was no cabin air filter or I woulda tried that before posting a thread. I take it Lysol or something anti-bacterial should work. I just wanted to see if there was a purpose-specific product available. I'll give the Lysol or Febreeze a go & let everyone know how it works.

If you switch it to bringing in outside air,on high, you can then spray Lysol through the intake beneath the windshield, just in the vent deal. I did that with mine, and it smelled good for a while.

 

[lekiboy]

hi,
just have 1 question:

why is that when my outside air vent is closed, i can still smell the odor and smoke from the outside, especially if traffic is bad and there are cars in front of me?

thanks.

 

[Singtoe]

Since I got my new to me 96 4Runner in April, the A/C smells when turned on. Moldy/ B.O. type of smell :barf:

I saw this thread with the same issue, but too many different suggestions for what to use to clean out the vents for me to determine what will work best.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/72171-stinky-c.html?highlight=smell+from+ac

Anybody who's done this have any recommendations on what to use and where to buy it? Thanks in advance.

It really depends how bad you really want to remove the smell. The problem is the evaporator has growth on it. You can buy this stuff and clean the evaporator through the drain tube.

Or you can remove the blower motor, and spray the evaporator down with a bathroom cleaner (mold remover) and let it drain out the drain tube. Rinse with a plain water spray. Blow dry with a hair drier. Reinstall the blower motor.

 

[Singtoe]

hi,
just have 1 question:

why is that when my outside air vent is closed, i can still smell the odor and smoke from the outside, especially if traffic is bad and there are cars in front of me?

thanks.

There is a foam gasket on the flapper that seals and with age, the foam breaks down and doesn't seal anymore or the flapper is just not closing all the way.

Nothing you can really do unless you want to remove the dashboard and then remove the HVAC assembly to inspect and repair.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Nobody?

My reply to the other thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/72171-stinky-c.html#post616239

Should work OK.

Also to keep it from happening again, make sure you turn off the AC before you shut off the engine (3 - 5 minutes before.) You want to let the warm air flow into your AC ducts before you park the vehicle. That will prevent the condensation which offers the environment for mold to grow.

 

[BOSSIND]

It really depends how bad you really want to remove the smell. The problem is the evaporator has growth on it. You can buy this stuff and clean the evaporator through the drain tube.

Or you can remove the blower motor, and spray the evaporator down with a bathroom cleaner (mold remover) and let it drain out the drain tube. Rinse with a plain water spray. Blow dry with a hair drier. Reinstall the blower motor.

BEST ANSWER! yes either mask the smell but still breath in mold that smells better, or do what Sting suggests and get rid of the problem. Might be something one could do each spring as a regular upkeep.

 

[Singtoe]

My reply to the other thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/72171-stinky-c.html#post616239

Should work OK.

Also to keep it from happening again, make sure you turn off the AC before you shut off the engine (3 - 5 minutes before.) You want to let the warm air flow into your AC ducts before you park the vehicle. That will prevent the condensation which offers the environment for mold to grow.

The AC System generates condensation all the time (when it's running). Turn off the ac 3 - 5 minutes before is more of an hassle then anything. It will just make you uncomfortable before going to work or going outside. Your Evaporator might be up to ambient temperature but it still going to be wet.

It would be like taking a full glass of Iced Tea, removing the ice cubes and using a hair drier to dry the condensation off the sides of the glass. It would take longer then 3-5 minutes for it to be completely dry.


It is perfectly normal for the ac system to condensate. This why you always see puddles of water under cars in parking lots, stoplights and what not.

 

[cfranck1]

We have this stuff at work. Works damn good, doesn't smell bad but is sorta expensive.

BG Air Condition Frigi-Fresh|BG Products|Zip Corvette Parts

You might also check your local dealer and they might sell you some too.

BG Findashop - Search for an authorized BG service center near you!

 

[Dezert4Runner]

It really depends how bad you really want to remove the smell. The problem is the evaporator has growth on it. You can buy this stuff and clean the evaporator through the drain tube.

Or you can remove the blower motor, and spray the evaporator down with a bathroom cleaner (mold remover) and let it drain out the drain tube. Rinse with a plain water spray. Blow dry with a hair drier. Reinstall the blower motor.

We have this stuff at work. Works damn good, doesn't smell bad but is sorta expensive.

BG Air Condition Frigi-Fresh|BG Products|Zip Corvette Parts

You might also check your local dealer and they might sell you some too.

BG Findashop - Search for an authorized BG service center near you!

^^^This is the type of product I was looking for. I was just about to get a can of Lysol when I saw these posts today. Thanks for the help guys!