smelly vent or A/C ?

[08 Hilux Surf]

I got a 08 Sports and changed my cabin air filter not long ago, but when turning on my vent or AC I get this odd(unpleasant) smell most of the time... noticed it when it became warmer and not too much during the winter. Any advice what could be the problem or eliminate this smell??

 

[morphius909]

Common complaint. I get the smell all the time in thw winter with the heater on, rarely in the summer with AC. I don't think anyone has been able to figure it out.

 

[Darklight]

There is an AC cleaner kit you can buy from the dealership parts center. It costs about $21. plus tax. pretty easy to do. I just did mine last weekend and the ac feels stronger and smells fresh. Costs about $79. for the dealer to do it. Atleast locally

this is a 2 can process 1 large, 1 small:

The large can is a foam cleaner that comes with a hose attachement you put in the ac drain hose, (located on the passenger side under the hood near the bottom little black hose about 3" can't miss it).

attach and spray the can in the drain hose, after about 10 minutes the foam liquafies and the gunk inside will come out.

The small can you spray in the cowl vents while the AC is on. These are the vents that are under the hood near the window. There should be 1 on eachside and a center one as well. Make sure the ac is on high and letting the outside air in.

That should clear up any smell and clean out the unit.

 

[IK13]

There is an AC cleaner kit you can buy from the dealership parts center. It costs about $21. plus tax. pretty easy to do. I just did mine last weekend and the ac feels stronger and smells fresh. Costs about $79. for the dealer to do it. Atleast locally

this is a 2 can process 1 large, 1 small:

The large can is a foam cleaner that comes with a hose attachement you put in the ac drain hose, (located on the passenger side under the hood near the bottom little black hose about 3" can't miss it).

attach and spray the can in the drain hose, after about 10 minutes the foam liquafies and the gunk inside will come out.

The small can you spray in the cowl vents while the AC is on. These are the vents that are under the hood near the window. There should be 1 on eachside and a center one as well. Make sure the ac is on high and letting theoutside air in.

That should clear up any smell and clean out the unit.

Can you get to the AC drain hose from the top or need to lift the car and go from underneath it?

 

[Darklight]

You can get to it from under the hood on the pass side. No need to lift the 4Runner as it is right there. Here is a pic of the a/c drain hose:

 

[IK13]

My dealer offers the service, but not the the kit. The parts lady couldn't find anything in the computer and after talking with several people.
Is there a part # I can refer to for the a/c cleaning kit?

Called dealers in 20 mile radius - nobody sells these kits.

 

[borgzman]

1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner, air duct cleaner, auto air conditioner cleaner
:lookout:

 

[Darklight]

Parts i used: Part #000540008 from Toyota parts department.

 

[morphius909]

sorry to rehash an older thread, but I washed the rig today adn boy oh boy did the Heater STINK. I almost passed out and opened the windows even though it was -22 this morning.

Going to get the Kit this week to recitify the situation!

 

[nated05]

I have also noticed the smell starting last month. I dont notice the smell if it is below freezing outside but once it gets into the mid 30s, I have to roll down the window. I will try the cleaning kit, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[08 Hilux Surf]

Toyota's AC Cleaning Kit

You can get to it from under the hood on the pass side. No need to lift the 4Runner as it is right there. Here is a pic of the a/c drain hose:

I got some help last year from Darklight, but actually was not able to get the AC cleaning kit. However, I finally got one from another dealer today! I found the drain hose where I spray the first large can, but my question is the second-small can... Exactly where do I spray this 2nd can. I recall it was instructed to spray into the (cowl) vents with the AC on. Is it simply those open vents on the top underneath the hood near the wipers? Or is there another place I can actually spray with this 2nd can? Just wanted to make sure so I don't be spraying into the wrong area and making my smell even worse... Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Darklight]

The small can gets sprayed into the cowl vents. These are the vents where the hood meets the windshield under the wiperblades, you will have to pop the hood to get to these.There is 3 of them 1 on eachside and 1 in the center. Open them up by sliding them. Make sure your vehicle is on, ac is on and blowing on HIGH with the outside air recirculating or coming in! Do this 2 times, once with the coldest setting / once with the heat on. Also, switch from floor vents to body vents. Spray in all 3 vents on those settings and you should be good to go. While spraying sweep side to side in each vent.