ac smell

[jhnybgood47]

I have a 2011 Corolla le and there is a smell that comes out of the ac intermittently. It smells moldy and I have no idea what is causing it.

I have sprayed everything I can think of in the car and ac. The smell has been happening for about 3 years. I've also changed the air filter and no change.

The smell goes away if I turn the outside air on or turn the ac off so it blows room temp air or if I turn the ac knob from 1-4 multiple times.

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be?

[lyodbraun]

I have same issue with my tacoma... Tried the spray in the ducts and other things nothing seems work for long and it comes back...

[jhnybgood47]

I'm thinking about pouring lysol in the top vent on the outside of the car. I'm that desperate.

[af90]

Does it have an afterblow option? Most modern cars will turn on the fan after the car has been off for sometime to assist in removing odors and condensation in the HVAC system.

[jhnybgood47]

No it does not. I've ran the car with the heat on and outside air and the smell went away for a couple days but it came back.

Now she drives with the outside air on most of the time. A couple minutes after the outside are is off, the smell comes back.

But like I said above, the smell lasts for maybe 3-5 minutes tops then goes away for a while then comes back.

[cardaddy]

That'll be mold and mildew in the AC system, specifically the condenser core down behind the dash.

Check out this thread. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...w-removal.html

Also, this. 1Z Einszett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Treatment

[AeroCleanse]

First, make sure the drip tube isn't blocked. Second, 1z-Klima Cleaner - 1Z Einszett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Treatment

[jhnybgood47]

Why does the smell go away when she changes the speed of the air coming out of the vents?

[Zwolf]

I have used this stuff before in the past. On my truck I bought from my grandpa that smoked. This made a huge difference. The smell is usually coming from evaporator core. They get dirty and are constantly wet from the ac condensation. That causes mold and bacteria. You should have seen the junk that came out of the evap drain.
IMG_2549.jpg Photo by skylinegtr09 | Photobucket

[jhnybgood47]

So do I just spray this stuff into the vents or other places as well?1Z Einszett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Treatment