Stank A$$ AC Smell...

[FloridaOccifer]

Ok, I am about to bring my 4Runner in to the shop after owning for 8 months with less than 6k miles on the odometer for an AC smell straight out of the gym locker room. I know I live in Florida and I am well aware of running the AC on fresh for at least 5mins prior to parking for the night so I am hoping someone else has run into this issue? I spoke to my neighbor who is a service adviser for Lexus and he says they are offering charcoal filters for their 2014's due to the same issue...

Anyone? I am getting tired of blowing out and febreezing the cabin filter :wacko:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Sounds like you have mold growth in the HVAC box, I would see if you can get a 2 part HVAC cleaning kit. I hear they work well.

 

[Danimal]

Indeed, something is growing in there. Detergents or stuff like Fabreeze only stand to make a mold/mildew growth issue worse, so don't spray anything in to your vents or air box.

Frigiclean or similar supposedly works well. However, if it's under warranty, they may fix it for you.

 

[FloridaOccifer]

Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order... I will let you know how this goes.

:dammit:

 

[uood8]

my past 3 tacoma's have done the same thing, i always replace them with a fram fresh breeze charcoal cabin filter and it fixes the problem. No sure if they are made for the 4runner, ive only had mine a few months.

edit: looks like they do.

http://www.amazon.com/CF10285-Fresh-Breeze-Cabin-Filter/dp/B001CEG90I

 

[buchaja]

I've given this advice several times and everyone seems to ignore it. But, FWIW mold can be eliminated with Lysol. I got this from Click and Clack, the mechanic brothers on PBS.

Just spray it into the intake vents (if they are the same as my Avalon, they're located under the wipers in the cowling) with the system on full fan and fresh air and then repeat in recirculate mode directing the spray into the intakes located at the center section in the footwells. You can feel the air pull into the intake vents, at least on the inside. You want to saturate the evap/condensor coils, so give them a good long shot.

I've done it. It works. You will smell Lysol for a few days in your vehicle, so pick a scent you like. I prefer the original.

 

[Saker]

Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order... I will let you know how this goes.

:dammit:

Also, check to see also if your AC is dripping water, seems it would need water collecting to grow mold or mildew in your air box!

 

[FloridaOccifer]

Great advice everyone. I am on this:boxing:

 

[willie655]

I have the same problem; however, it is not year round. It only happens on extremely hot days (90+) and only at start up. After a few minutes, the smell goes away. I have changed my cabin air filter, but this did not help. Next spot to check is the evaporator. Let us know what you determine.

 

[B...]

I've had this problem in multiple toyotas (4runner, tacoma, corolla). I found the smell was related to over-using the recirculate function. I stopped using re-circ except for when I really need it (very hot inside the vehicle or stinky outside). This dried the system out and the stank went away.

 

[Stifler]

does it by chance smell like bacon?:behindsofa:

 

[1000MPH]

Sounds like you have mold growth in the HVAC box, I would see if you can get a 2 part HVAC cleaning kit. I hear they work well.

This!
Not surprised the OP's Lexus neighbor doesn't know jack.

 

[NJSalsaRed]

Any big box hardware store near you will carry evaporator cleaner. The trick is you need to spray it onto/into the evaporator coil.

 

[Saker]

This!
Not surprised the OP's Lexus neighbor doesn't know jack.

Yep!

That's the stuff that works, had to have that done to my Taco once!

 

[MAXISTYLES]

Need Fresh Air

OP, Once the smell is gone afer whatever method you use try putting your AC on fresh air few miles before you get home you will never have this smelly problem again.

 

[Nolarola]

I'd suggest a shower.

 

[Saker]

I'd suggest a shower.

Heya Nola,
That's what you tell people from New Orleans.....he's lives in Florida! ound:

:jk:

:hiding:

 

[FloridaOccifer]

Oh boy...

Bacon, yes... powdered donut smell too sometimes or even fritters...

Ebolarola thanks for your enlightening post. I will value it as much as most advice I got from the big sleezy back in my military days.

As for the fresh air comment, I suggested in my original post this has been done since the first time the AC was turned on yet I am still dealing with the dreaded scent of unkept laundry leftovers.

 

[macgyver_ga]

you can also try this stuff. It pretty much does the same thing as the toyota brand stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007PHD0S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used two bottles of it on my wife's new (to us) 4th gen about 30 minutes apart. The AC was pretty funky smelling. 2 weeks later it smells pretty neutral. No more bad funky sock smell. The junk that drained out was pretty nasty. I don't think the previous owner ever replaced the cabin air filter. it was full of leaves and debris when I changed it.

you spray it up the condensate drain hose and the foaming action cleans the evaporator. The junk that drained out was pretty nasty. I probably could have used a 3rd can because the stuff that drained out the 2nd time was still a little dirty but way less dirty than the first time. I'll give it a few months and do it again if the smell comes back.

 

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Where is evaporator hose located on our rigs? I'd like to do this 2 can cleaning as well. AC stinks like coyote urine