Topic: Raunchy A/C Odour

[Wetson]

I don't use my A/C very often but when I do, a really raunchy odour comes out and lasts for about 20 sec. then disappears.  The only thing I can describe it as is sewage.  I checked the A/C drain tube and it's all good.  It's draining.  I phoned the dealer and they said to spray lysol in the vents.  Which vents?  The intake vents on the outside of the windshield?  Are there any intake vents on the inside of the vehicle? If so, where?  It doesn't make sense to me to spray the vents on the dash or defroster vents since air only comes out of them and the lysol won't make it to the condensing unit.  

Is there an alternative antibacterial spray to use that doesn't reak like Lysol?  I would prefer something odourless if possible.

This problem seems to be only occuring on my 05 Accord and not the 03.  

HELP!

[citydude]

I usually leave the FAN ON and AC OFF for a minute before I turn off the car.

Citydude

[Wetson]

That's a great suggestion City... I'll do that from now on, but I still need to get rid of the raunchy odour.

[exserviceguy]

Hi Ho Thewetson,
The raunchy odour is caused by mold/mildew growing on the evaporator coil located in the heater/ac box under the dash.  High humidity levels accompanied by the right overnight temps provide a real good feed for the grow.  Almost all car makers have issued tech bulletins on accessing the evap coil and spraying it with everything from lysol to toxic sprays.  But this is only a temporary measure as the growth will come back.  To get rid of it without any sprays, turn the heater temp all the way up and leave the car running with the windows down on a dry day.  The heater core is located next to the evap coil and the heat and dry air will 'kill' the growth.  Depending on the weather you may have to do this regularly once a week.  Also check and make sure your ac condensation drain is working, (with the ac on you should see water dripping under the vehicle behind the engine usually off to the right, (just in behind the right front wheel).  If not, the drain might be plugged and supplying more moisture to the feed for your mold/mildew.
To find your heater/ac air intake with the lysol spray, with the heater fan on, (engine off), spray the lysol at the base of the windshield into the wiper cowl or at the top of the firewall, (engine side), the running heater fan will draw the spray into the box.

[Wetson]

You're awesome Exserviceguy!   I checked the AC condensation drain and it's dripping water so it's working fine.   When I turn the heat on full how long should I let the car run for?

[exserviceguy]

Run the car with the engine on, the temp at max, and the fan speed at 2 or 3, (setting it on high will cause the heater to cool down slightly) for 10 minutes or so.  If possible, leave all the windows cracked open slightly overnight.  For the first run, you may have to repeat this daily for a few days until the odour abates.  But with the majority of the sticky weather of summer behind us, you shouldn't have this problem for much longer this year.

[safristi]

Wotz wrong wif "RAUNCHY-dressing!!!"...now "Funkie" is somethik' else.........

  Just long enuf ta dry the moldy yok strap in yer
front seat...!!!??

[Wetson]

OH GROSS!!!!!  Saf... youze gota sic mind.

[Wetson]

Run the car with the engine on, the temp at max, and the fan speed at 2 or 3, (setting it on high will cause the heater to cool down slightly) for 10 minutes or so.

I can do this on the drive home from the office.  It's about a 10 - 15 minute drive.  I'll keep you posted.  I'm also going to spray lysol down the intake vents... of course with the fan on and engine off.  

[safristi]

What happened to all that dog barf.....did the shout it out Fairy....aaawww... nevermind......!!!!

[Wetson]

Geeze Louise...

[Giant Dwarf]

Thewetson, this must be a common Honda problem.  My parents' Accords used to be inflicted by this, and my wife's Civic also once in a while.  

The heat-cranked-blast helped their situations too.

Best of luck!

[barrie1]

There is also a Product made by Wynn's which you spray in the vents to kill the bacteria and freshen up the odours from this area of the car.

[Wetson]

Thanks Jeff 1.  I wonder if it's a random occurance.  My 03 Accord isn't afflicted with this .... but it's parked in direct sunlight during the day so perhaps the heat evapourates all the water out before anything with cooties has a chance to grow.  I park the other one underground all day and its parking spot at home is very well shaded.

(Message edited by thewetson on August 24, 2005)

[Wetson]

It worked!  WOO HOO!  I turned the ignition on without turning over the motor and turned the fan on high then I sprayed lysol into the fresh air intake vents.  The car smelled pretty nauseating for a few minutes until I started to drive with all the windows down. (I don't like the smell of lysol).  I also turned on the heater on high heat and medium fan for the drive home.  (It felt like we were in that heat wave again).  When I got home, I opened one of the back windows just a crack and left it overnight.  When I got in this morning and turned on the A/C to check.... just the faint faint odour of Lysol which I'm certain will dissipate.

Thanks Exserviceguy and everyone else who contributed!

[safristi]

Here BOY...nice doggy...wanna go fer a fast twisty ride in Wetsons car...now finish off these bean dipped Burritos....!!!!!

[Wetson]

Lovely... just lovely.

[safristi]

Hey I'm NOT the one with the bordello cum !! Kennel fer a car.........ya need ta borrow yer grannies plastic couch & seat covers man...maybe the I-POD in yer car is gestating into a full blown one of these..shops of HORROR......

[Wetson]

Woof Woof Woof

[safristi]

OH THRO..I MEAN GROW UP WETSON...!!!! it's almost 4:30 a.m !!!! FRIDAY when yer nite-Mares begin...........I TAUNT I taw a puddy Tat...!!!!

(Message edited by safristi on August 25, 2005)