Does anybody know?

[godale03]

Hey Guys,

I have an 06 Tacoma and I am sure that it is running that new refrigerant... R something or nother? Anyway, it cools great, but after I run the AC and then turn it off, and just run the fan I get this really foul odor. I don't get the odor when the AC is running, just when the fan is running afterwards. Now it doesn't last for more than 20 minutes or so but it still stinks. I thought it was just my car... but I drove my Mother-in-law's new Mercedes and it did the same thing. Does anybody know what the hell is causing that smell, and is it normal? Thanks

Tom

 

[jon2]

Hmm...new Air filter?

I had the same thing happen because of a certain air freshener. It smells great but if I left the AC on to blow right over it, it would start to smell bad. I stopped putting by a vent and the smell went away.


MMMM now it smells great!!

This happens to any of the cars I have worked on.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

The refrigerant is called R-134 and it doesn't contain the CFC's that older refrigerants had that were killing the ozone layer.

As for the odor, that's a head scratcher, my man. Never experienced it in my Tahoe, but I'm inclined to go with Jon2's idea. I know when I had my air freshners by the vents it changed the way it smelled after some time.

 

[Rolex]

Here's your answer............
You have created a swamp in the ductwork. When you run the AC, the ducts get VERY cold. When you turn it off and walk away, humidity in the air condenses on them and in them like the water droplets that run down on a cold drink.

Every time you get close to your destination, go from AC to VENT, and run the fan high until only warm air comes out.
It only needs to run for 30 seconds to a minute to warm up the ductwork, and that will prevent any condensation from forming.

As far as the current smell, as long as you follow these guidelines and don't allow it to swamp up and revive what's already formed in there, it will eventually go away.

 

[godale03]

Thanks man. I will give that a try. Anything is better than having to smell that nasty swamp smell.

Tom

 

[RevoME]

See if you have an internal air filter for pollen (above& inside the glove compartment) and have it replaced (if installed). You may have a dead bird or mouse trapped within the ducts.
My BMW has one and I change it every year/ 20000 miles, as it is a very fine filter and the smell can really get devastating.
Otherwise Rolex's explanation is 100% correct and a longtime approved method of getting rid of the "basement smell"...
Good luck!

P.S: Mercedes do have these filters too

 

[godale03]

See if you have an internal air filter for pollen (above& inside the glove compartment) and have it replaced (if installed). You may have a dead bird or mouse trapped within the ducts.
My BMW has one and I change it every year/ 20000 miles, as it is a very fine filter and the smell can reall get devastating.

Good luck!

P.S: Mercedes do have these filters too

Thanks Revo... I will look to see if I have one installed. Thanks man.

Tom

 

[Monkey Wrench]

P.S: Mercedes do have these filters too

Yeah, my Tahoe has one of those as well....called the window!

 

[godale03]

Yeah, my Tahoe has one of those as well....called the window!

LMAO!! HA!


Tom

 

[Rolex]

You can speed up the process of removing the smell by also getting a pump bottle of neutralizer that's made for drapes and carpeting. Pick the flavor of your choice. Don't do it during the day, only when you're in for the night. Use the squirt AND the spray setting into all the ducts, and as long as you run the vent every time you turn off the AC, you should smell nothing in a few days.

 

[FastEddy]

Quit blowing air out of your snag nasty swamp ass with the windows closed.

I have a filter in my Benz and also in my Nissan Murano. I use a little wire and secure an air freshener onto it every few months.

 

[Rolex]

I've never had this problem in my Bentley, but it has happened in my Ferrari Enzo once or twice. It only cost about 9 grand to fix it, but they also checked my washer fluid.

 

[jetmechG550]

Not to be left out, my bimmer has a cabin filter as well!

 

[robmob]

Real men don't need cabin filters.

 

[kwong2001]

Does it smell like rotten eggs? I know some corollas have had that problem, but i think it was caused by a bad sensor or something I dunno.

 

[HeartBreak]

Real men don't need A/C - they use the window in the summer, and a barrel with charcoal bricketts in the winter.

 

[godale03]

You guys are a trip! Laughing my Arse off as we speak! I guess other than making sure I fart with the window open, and using some smelly stuff there is not much I can do.... I wonder if I not bathing regularly might cause it?

Tom

 

[jetmechG550]

Tom, you may also want to watch what kind of "passenger" you picking up on the side of the road! A lot of "those" kind tend to be not so clean!

 

[ImBroken]

Are you one of those flip flop/floor vent, tree huggin hippies? There's your odor right there...