Interior Odor - TundraTalk.net

AU Ryan · 03-23-2008, 10:22 PM

Does anyone know what would cause my A/C to create a moldy odor? Could it be the interior air filter? Thanks in advance

Nukedog · 03-23-2008, 10:39 PM

My darn Trailblazer had a slight moldy smell to it. Never figured it out in 2 years...

goneballistic · 03-23-2008, 10:42 PM

The filter is easy enough to check, directions are in the owner's manual. Do you happen to run your A/C on recirculate a lot? I've read that this can cause mold to propagate in auto A/C systems.

iamnid · 03-24-2008, 01:28 AM

I've got the same problem... changing the filter didn't help at all. If you find something that helps... let me know.

20TRD07 · 05-17-2008, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamnid

I've got the same problem... changing the filter didn't help at all. If you find something that helps... let me know.

Hate to say it but that is a Toyota for ya. All of mine have always had a weird smell.

GreenMeanCM · 05-17-2008, 04:30 AM

Had that problem with different vehicle, solved it by turning on the heater for a few minutes! Maybe it'll work

RunItHard · 05-17-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Ryan

Does anyone know what would cause my A/C to create a moldy odor? Could it be the interior air filter? Thanks in advance

The mildew smell is caused by just that... mildew that grows as a result of condensation in the ducts. This occurs after the air conditioner is turned off. The humidity in the warmer abient air condenses and sits in the ducts with dust and dirt particles that collect there and quickly grows mildew

Dark A/C ducts with warming condensed moisture in them are perfect breeding grounds for mildew.

sxd45 · 05-17-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Ryan

Does anyone know what would cause my A/C to create a moldy odor? Could it be the interior air filter? Thanks in advance

Maybe you should shower more often, just playing! change the filter and get some air freshener is about it. Maybe you could try to cook it out with the heater. Good luck.

Deznutjob · 05-17-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunItHard

The mildew smell is caused by just that... mildew that grows as a result of condensation in the ducts. This occurs after the air conditioner is turned off. The humidity in the warmer abient air condenses and sits in the ducts with dust and dirt particles that collect there and quickly grows mildew

Dark A/C ducts with warming condensed moisture in them are perfect breeding grounds for mildew.

This is exactly it! There a coule of things you can do and one is to have the dealer flush out the A/C ducts. Another thing you can do is purchase a deoderizer spacifically for this problem from Auto Zone or any auto parts store. All my Toyotas have had the same problem. That's what you get from an a/c that blows ice cubes!

Phoenix · 05-17-2008, 02:30 PM

"Goneballistic" has the right idea. In Arizona, if you set the A/C to RECIRCULATE most of the time, you are smelling your own concentrated breath (kind of disgusting, huh?).

When the smell starts to build up, turn RECIRCULATE off and crack one of the rear windows open for a minute or two to allow fresh air to be drawn into the vehicle.

Also, most people down here turn off RECIRCULATE and slightly open one or more of the windows when they first start their cars, to allow the "superheated air" to escape until the A/C evaporator coils start to chill down. This also dries out the condensation on the coils that remains from when you previously turned off your car.

SRT8TUNDRA · 05-17-2008, 03:27 PM

Zep sells an air sanitizer that works well.

I'm in Florida, and we all have a habit down here to leave the air on recirculate. It does help to turn this off once in a while.

Hawaii 5.7 · 05-17-2008, 05:45 PM

I've been known to leave strange odors in vehicle interiors... espesially after some TACO BELL!!! he he he.

jc534a · 05-21-2008, 04:46 PM

You can reduce the problem, if not eliminate the problem by taking the AC off of the recirculation feature right before you shut your vehicle off. This leaves the system open to outside air and allows the moisture to evaporate in the ducts. You will need to wait till you hear the blower drop down so that you know the internal door has opened in the system.

2008_CrewMax · 05-21-2008, 04:52 PM

someone sh*t in the vents

dman · 05-22-2008, 10:54 AM

Had the same problem with my new 08 DBLcab. Let the dealer spray some stuff in the ductwork. I think it smells worse than the mold. Everyone has said the same just let it dry out before shutting down and that seems to work well.

03-23-2008, 10:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
AU Ryan Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	Interior Odor Does anyone know what would cause my A/C to create a moldy odor? Could it be the interior air filter? Thanks in advance

03-23-2008, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nukedog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jax, FL. Posts: 234	My darn Trailblazer had a slight moldy smell to it. Never figured it out in 2 years... __________________ 02 Busa...Turbo...Get some! 08 Tundra DC 5.2 2wd USN Retired 1987-2007 IYAOYAS

05-17-2008, 04:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
GreenMeanCM Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 88	Had that problem with different vehicle, solved it by turning on the heater for a few minutes! Maybe it'll work __________________ 2007 5.7 Crew Max TRD w/Tow Pkg Sliding Roof K&N CAI (Nothing Fancy)

05-17-2008, 03:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
SRT8TUNDRA Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,513	Zep sells an air sanitizer that works well. I'm in Florida, and we all have a habit down here to leave the air on recirculate. It does help to turn this off once in a while. __________________ *White Tundra Club Member #3*

05-17-2008, 05:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
Hawaii 5.7 Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,162	I've been known to leave strange odors in vehicle interiors... espesially after some TACO BELL!!! he he he. __________________ 2007 TUNDRA 5.7 CREWMAX TRD 4X4 Revtek 2.5" Leveling Kit, Truxxedo Bed Cover, Billet Grill, Airhorn, Tints, Smoke Inchannel Visors & Bug Gaurd, Flowmaster Muffler w/ Custom Y-Pipe, debadged except for the 5.7's Plus more to come... ALOHA! Remember to search before you start a new thread, and play nicely!

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03-23-2008, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
goneballistic Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 207	The filter is easy enough to check, directions are in the owner's manual. Do you happen to run your A/C on recirculate a lot? I've read that this can cause mold to propagate in auto A/C systems.

03-24-2008, 01:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
iamnid Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 32	I've got the same problem... changing the filter didn't help at all. If you find something that helps... let me know.

05-17-2008, 02:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Phoenix Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 128	"Goneballistic" has the right idea. In Arizona, if you set the A/C to RECIRCULATE most of the time, you are smelling your own concentrated breath (kind of disgusting, huh?). When the smell starts to build up, turn RECIRCULATE off and crack one of the rear windows open for a minute or two to allow fresh air to be drawn into the vehicle. Also, most people down here turn off RECIRCULATE and slightly open one or more of the windows when they first start their cars, to allow the "superheated air" to escape until the A/C evaporator coils start to chill down. This also dries out the condensation on the coils that remains from when you previously turned off your car.

05-21-2008, 04:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
jc534a Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 11	You can reduce the problem, if not eliminate the problem by taking the AC off of the recirculation feature right before you shut your vehicle off. This leaves the system open to outside air and allows the moisture to evaporate in the ducts. You will need to wait till you hear the blower drop down so that you know the internal door has opened in the system. __________________ 07 Tundra 4x2 CrewMax 5.7 Ltd, JBL Nav, Tow Package, Leather, 20" Chr Wheels 1931 Ford Vicky 1939 Mercury Conv.

05-21-2008, 04:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
2008_CrewMax Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,504	someone sht in the vents __________________ White Tundra Club Member #2*

05-22-2008, 10:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
dman Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 41	Had the same problem with my new 08 DBLcab. Let the dealer spray some stuff in the ductwork. I think it smells worse than the mold. Everyone has said the same just let it dry out before shutting down and that seems to work well. Last edited by dman : 05-22-2008 at 10:57 AM.

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