AC SMELL HAS RETURNED

[Kshort62]

Well as the weather gets warmer the AC in my truck is being used and the moldy smell has returned. My wife is to the point she’s not willing to take/use my truck for anything. The smell subsided after a few minutes of use but it’s very strong with initial turn on. Has anyone gotten Ford to fix the issue. I refuse to buy more stuff to make my truck work like it should. 22 Limited PowerBoost.

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[Bandit Heeler]

Check to see if the carpets in your front passenger side footwell are wet.

 

[Calson]

What works surprisingly well is Febreze that was created to deal with odors. A single bottle with a spray pump is all that you need. I had a mouse make a nest in my truck's vents and the smell was terrible. I tried many solutions but what worked was the Febreze spray. One treatment and the smell was gone even when the truck sat out in the sun.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

check cabin filter maybe?

 

[powerboatr]

I have found in the humid summer
About 3 miles from home
I turn off the recirc do it draws fresh air in
To aid drying off coil

But that is only on those really humid days
Rest of time ac stays on recirc

It opens when truck is shut off to let fresh air in as well

I would agree with checking carpets for moisture. Etc
As well
Make sure no drains are clogged

 

[nikon858]

It’s frustrating that this is the first car I’ve had that has had that smell, from what I’ve read the dealer fixes are only temporary.

https://a.co/d/fpq7NP3

It sucks to need to do it, but this little ozone generator works great to rid the smell. I turn the a/c on recirc and let it run for 30 minutes. Just did it today, last time I had to do it was 4-5 months ago.

 

[Hans Moleman]

Pro tip: try to use outside air as most as possible instead of recirculate

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

I have found in the humid summer
About 3 miles from home
I turn off the recirc do it draws fresh air in
To aid drying off coil

But that is only on those really humid days
Rest of time ac stays on recirc

It opens when truck is shut off to let fresh air in as well

I would agree with checking carpets for moisture. Etc
As well
Make sure no drains are clogged

Be very careful, if you're turning off recirc when close to home, Skunk smell will get you!

 

[FORDTEXAS]

I have found in the humid summer

I turn off the recirc do it draws fresh air in
To aid drying off coil

yep this is a trick some don’t know about ?

 

[whizkidder]

In my previous vehicles with this problem, the musty smell coming primarily from the vents stemed from a build up of dirt/pollen/etc., or a wad of lint or insulation that was getting damp/wet. Bleach sprays may kill the mold temporarily, and ozone/Febreze treatments may reduce the smell for a while, but as long as the source (lint/dirt/insulation) is still there, it will return. If you can, look at/under the evaporator in the HVAC box to see if you can determine if there is any contamination there that will hold dampness/water. In one case (my 2018 F-150), the HVAC box drain did not seal properly, and was leaking water back down the drain tube through the firewall onto the carpet and jute backing under the passenger footwell. in this case, the truck smelled musty all the time -- not just when the HVAC was turned on.

 

[Kshort62]

Carpets are dry , it’s a 22 parked inside when not driven which daily . New cabin air filter less than a month ago. The system should work.. it’s rocket science and some kind of new technology… it’s complete crap on Ford’s part .

 

[pjc123]

This is the only product I was able to get to work on my Honda Accord. Other treatments only lasted a little while, when at minimum at least I get a year using this. It doesn't just cover up the smell, it scrubs the evaporator clean. It's available at Amazon:

"Nextzett Klima Cleaner Pro".

 

[TruckBubba]

The musty bad smell is from excess moisture that isn't draining out from the evaporator well. Suggest insuring that the drain hose isn't obstructed-leaves, dust and dirt can accumulate and block the drain. Like how mm e hvac systems, it is possible for algae to accumulate and grow and contribute to a blocked drain.
Check the drain from under the truck during heavy use and/or high humidity and if you do see any water that's a sure sign the drain is blocked.
A product I have used before is Lysol spray; get a variety with minimal or no fragrance and spray the heck out of the outside air intake. It can actually fix the problem stopping further microbial drain blocking g growth

 

[HammaMan]

In my previous vehicles with this problem, the musty smell coming primarily from the vents stemed from a build up of dirt/pollen/etc., or a wad of lint or insulation that was getting damp/wet. Bleach sprays may kill the mold temporarily, and ozone/Febreze treatments may reduce the smell for a while, but as long as the source (lint/dirt/insulation) is still there, it will return. If you can, look at/under the evaporator in the HVAC box to see if you can determine if there is any contamination there that will hold dampness/water. In one case (my 2018 F-150), the HVAC box drain did not seal properly, and was leaking water back down the drain tube through the firewall onto the carpet and jute backing under the passenger footwell. in this case, the truck smelled musty all the time -- not just when the HVAC was turned on.

Don't spray your AC coil with bleach. Aluminum and bleach aren't friends.

Try this stuff https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-96030-Evaporator-Heater-Cleaner/dp/B0007PHD0S

 

[Kurt V]

Well as the weather gets warmer the AC in my truck is being used and the moldy smell has returned. My wife is to the point she’s not willing to take/use my truck for anything. The smell subsided after a few minutes of use but it’s very strong with initial turn on. Has anyone gotten Ford to fix the issue. I refuse to buy more stuff to make my truck work like it should. 22 Limited PowerBoost.

This is from consumer reports. How to Get Rid of Musty Smell From a Car Air Conditioner - Consumer Reports

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