Smell from A/C when first turned on...

[robhurlburt]

I have a mildewy type smell that comes out of my AC when I first turn it on. Someone had posted a product on her before, but I can't seem to find it. You sprayed it in the vents.

I also heard lysol. I will try changing the cabin filter, to see if that helps.

Does anybody have any off the self products that could fix this?

[me]

1Z Klima-Cleaner

http://www.properautocare.com/1zklaircocl.html
http://www.autogeek.net/1z-ein....html

[robhurlburt]

zactly what i was looking for. How does it work? Good?

[me]

I used it once on my vents and it seemed to take almost all of it away. I used my second can in my friend's car and although I haven't checked on it afterwards, he said it worked.

I might buy a couple more cans for it the vents smell again in the future.

[67Customs]

I did this...

I removed the cabin filter and opened all the doors in the car. I then turned the air conditioner on high. Make sure it isn't on recirculation and make sure it is running to the panel and the floor both. You want the air to be pulled from the cabin filter area.

While the air is running, spray a good amount of Lysol into the cabin filter area. It will pull it into all of the vent tubes. I went through at least half a can. I would spray a good 20 seconds and then wait about a minute. Spray 20 more seconds and then wait a minute. I did this until I was satisfied.

I had no more smell from the air conditioner.

[finklejag]

I just bought Clean Air. I used it on my car, and my girlfriends car. It worked really well removing the mildew smell when you first turned on the AC.

You can order it at your local Napa. Autogeek carries it also. They also have a Clean Air fogger. I have read nothing but good reviews on both products.

[robhurlburt]

Quote, originally posted by 67Customs »

IWhile the air is running, spray a good amount of Lysol into the cabin filter area. It will pull it into all of the vent tubes. I went through at least half a can. I would spray a good 20 seconds and then wait about a minute. Spray 20 more seconds and then wait a minute. I did this until I was satisfied. I had no more smell from the air conditioner.

awesome! do you have any idea where the intake would be on a saab, or where it usually is on a car?

[me]

I tried this once with another similar product. The results didn't last that long for me though.

[JrodVW]

BTDT- Really what you need to do is not only disinfect the vents; but you NEED to replace the cabin filter.

[me]

I replaced the cabinet filter as well when I did the air-freshener thing a year ago. It didn't seem to provide a permanent result in my case, although I've read that others have had success with this method.

That said, the 1Z Klima-Cleaner didn't do a "complete" job either, although it has worked better than the air-freshener variation. I might pick up another can of Klima-Cleaner.

I'd guess that your mileage may vary depending on the condition of your condenser.

[67Customs]

Two things you can do to help make the results last. 1) Change the cabin filter each time you change the air filter. For me, that is once every two oil changes or 10K miles. 2) About two minutes before you reach your destination, turn the A/C off, but let the fan run. It will help clear out the vents of any moisture that wil mildew later.

Quote, originally posted by robhurlburt »

awesome! do you have any idea where the intake would be on a saab, or where it usually is on a car?

No, I just did a Saab two weekends ago and I don't remember seeing any inclination of where it might be.

Generally, the A/C compressor fan is under the cowel on the passenger side. The filters are sometimes under the hood and sometimes on the inside under the dash. Some vehicles don't have filters for them.

You need to call the service department for your vehicle and ask them to tell you where the fan for the A/C brings air in. Wherever that is, spray the Lysol in there.

[robhurlburt]

thanks for the info, the cabin filter is on order, and i just go a bottle of lysol.

[robhurlburt]

somebody said lysol can corrode plastics. Any truth to this, i can't find any?

[robhurlburt]

lysol has worked well. I was a little overpowering the first day, but since then has gone down. thanks!

[robhurlburt]

Quote, originally posted by robhurlburt »

lysol has worked well. I was a little overpowering the first day, but since then has gone down. thanks!

OK, new season, and the lysol no longer works. It was overpowering, and i hate to do lysol again. Is there any OTC klima cleaner?

[robhurlburt]

Yeah lysol is just about useless now. I have used a whole can and it comes back within a week. I am going to Autozone and Napa after work, they both have something. hopefully it will last longer than a week.

[67Customs]

There was a product called FrigiFresh. Didn't work for me though. The Lysol worked very well for me, so I didn't go looking for anything else.

I hear that the 1Z works very well. you may just have to go ahead and order it off line.

[pwaug]

I did this...

I removed the cabin filter and opened all the doors in the car. I then turned the air conditioner on high. Make sure it isn't on recirculation and make sure it is running to the panel and the floor both. You want the air to be pulled from the cabin filter area.

While the air is running, spray a good amount of Lysol into the cabin filter area. It will pull it into all of the vent tubes. I went through at least half a can. I would spray a good 20 seconds and then wait about a minute. Spray 20 more seconds and then wait a minute. I did this until I was satisfied.

I had no more smell from the air conditioner.

Saved this old thread and now I need it. When I remove the cabin filter, turn the AC to high, recirculation off, air flow to floor and panel--the air filter housing area is not pulling air it is blowing it so I can't spray the Lysol. Am I doing something wrong??

Thanks!!

[TXR32]

Saved this old thread and now I need it. When I remove the cabin filter, turn the AC to high, recirculation off, air flow to floor and panel--the air filter housing area is not pulling air it is blowing it so I can't spray the Lysol. Am I doing something wrong??

Thanks!!

..... Are you spraying it where the filter use to be? It should be sucking air in from the top side.

[pwaug]

..... Are you spraying it where the filter use to be? It should be sucking air in from the top side.

After I took out the filter I turned on the AC--did not replace the filter cover on the bottom so the air was blowing out of the bottom of the filter housing. Should I have replaced the housing cover and sprayed at the top of the filter housing?? But, I don't see how I could get at the top of the filter housing as it is up in the dash. Please let me know if there is a way to get at it. Thanks!!

[TOGWT]

“Air Conditioner Cleaning” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1447731

[pwaug]

“Air Conditioner Cleaning” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1447731

Thanks TOGWT! When the instructions say turn the AC to "Direct" does this mean recirculation on?

[TOGWT]

Thanks TOGWT! When the instructions say turn the AC to "Direct" does this mean recirculation on?

Direct = Recirculation mode (note to self change wording...)

[pwaug]

Direct = Recirculation mode (note to self change wording...)

Thanks!!! I'm going to try this process with Lysol and will post results.

[Mr Roo]

that 1z klima clean worked wonders on my wife's car. She always had this funny smell when the a/c was on. I took two cans but the smell is gone and hasnt returned in 2 summers.

[pwaug]

Seem to have solved the problem with this process:

AC on in recirculation mode - only the upper vents working. Turned off ingnition.

Removed cabin filter and replaced cover.

Inserted a 24" small diameter plastic tube as far down the center vent as possible.

Sprayed Linen scented Lysol into a glass container -- about 1 oz

Poured Lysol into a syringe, inserted plunger, attached syringe to the tube and injected Lysol into the vent.

Repeated this 4 times.

Allowed to sit for 30 minutes

Started car and ran AC on high for a few minutes then installed new cabin filter.

It's been two weeks and so far it has worked very well, musty smell is gone, slight Linen smell from the AC for a couple of days. I have a collection of medical syringes I use for oiling and gluing in tight spaces from the days I used to sell them but you can find them in cooking stores or you could attach a small funnel to the plastic tube and pour the Lysol in, but might take a while for it to flow down the small tube.

Will update information if the musty smell returns.