A/C mildew smell

[ThyDayWalker]

Get this smell in 22 Limited PB . Had the dealership look at while they had for another issue. Tech said he couldn’t find anything .. but put some kind of fragrance in my system and is not appealing to me and my family.. the smell is still there . So now I’m not sure what to do . I refuse to shut my AC off or not run it in Auto … this system isn’t new and should work as it supposed to.

Took mine to a dealer... Again... They said nothing found..said no one else has complained / this is the first they hear of it?? I call BS...

Anyway, I bought a little ozone machine and l run that for a few minutes while on Max AC with recirc and it removes the odor... Can take 1-2 weeks for the ozone (rain-like) smell to go away, but I just spray leather/new car scent every day until that goes away. Been doing it every few months now... Another temporary Fix for the only legitimate thing I hate about my truck!

Sponsored

 

[loganlaporte]

@theday

Took mine to a dealer... Again... They said nothing found..said no one else has complained / this is the first they hear of it?? I call BS...

Anyway, I bought a little ozone machine and l run that for a few minutes while on Max AC with recirc and it removes the odor... Can take 1-2 weeks for the ozone (rain-like) smell to go away, but I just spray leather/new car scent every day until that goes away. Been doing it every few months now... Another temporary Fix for the only legitimate thing I hate about my truck!

You know I was wondering if an ozone machine would help and for how long.

 

[ThyDayWalker]

@theday

You know I was wondering if an ozone machine would help and for how long.

It works a lot better than the only other method I've found, which I call the "spray a crap ton of Lysol into the A/C intake" method, for sure. But it's still a few times a year...

I also got to use it on other stinky areas of the house and it's worked wonders! Once the "rain" (ozone) smell clears (which is days to weeks) it's usually no previous nasty odor... Call me a believer...

 

[loganlaporte]

It works a lot better than the only other method I've found, which I call the "spray a crap ton of Lysol into the A/C intake" method, for sure. But it's still a few times a year...

I also got to use it on other stinky areas of the house and it's worked wonders! Once the "rain" (ozone) smell clears (which is days to weeks) it's usually no previous nasty odor... Call me a believer...

I may go get a machine on amazon. This musty smell is the worst part of these trucks.

 

[DcnPat]

I've been battling this issue this summer. Started when the truck was about 15 months old. We bought a Subaru Outback 6 months before we bought the F-150. Both are stored in the same conditions and driven similarly. The Subaru has air from the HVAC with zero odor anytime while the F-150 knocks you out with mold/mildew odor about 80% of the time you first start the HVAC for the day.

After 4 go-rounds with the dealer service department claiming all they get is some pet odor (like I don't know the difference between dog smell and mold/mildew - apparently they don't) I finally got one of the service managers to say they could do an evaporator cleaning on my dime for $290 but won't guarantee it fixes the smell (but according to them there is no smell).

Ford needs to do better and get a solution to this before someone has a fatal mildew inducuced asthma attack and they get sued.

 

[Jaredr821]

Same issue. 2022 rocky ridge lariat trim. Had the wiper holders replaced with no fix. Gets worse when hot/raining. Tried everything.

 

[Jaredr821]

Same issue. 2022 rocky ridge lariat trim. Had the wiper holders replaced with no fix. Gets worse when hot/raining. Tried everything.

Update I tried cleaning the screen for sunroof. It smelled terrible and was very dirty. Smell is much better.

 

[Brown1000]

This is an old video but it still works for Ford vehicles. I use it and it works to keep from getting that smell...

 

[ThyDayWalker]

This is an old video but it still works for Ford vehicles. I use it and it works to keep from getting that smell...

Oh yeah the old reliable "inconvenience 101 that I've never had to do on any vehicle" of turning off the AC before every single time you turn your vehicle off. Effing Ford (or the govmnt if you believe the video).....

 

[Rockman5159]

Hey everyone, looking for some help. Tried looking up this topic and didn’t find much. I imagine I can’t be the only one.

I have a 2021 XLT with 12k miles. Shortly after being new it developed a mildew AC smell when the truck is first started. It lasts about a minute or two when started and seems to go away. I’ve changed the cabin air filter, sprayed Lysol into the vents on the wiper cowl, and have tried turning off recirculation more often. Nothing has gotten rid of the smell.

This is my third F150 with the same climate and AC use and the first time experiencing this issue. I live in South Florida so my AC is usually on the lowest temperature.

Let me know if anyone has any ideas or solutions!

I had a 1999 F150 ,yeah that old, that did the same thing. About once a month I'd roll the windows down ,turn the heat on wide open for about 30 minutes and the smell would go away for a month or so. I'm guessing that the heat dried up any moisture and mold in evaporator housing. I have a 2021 and havent ever had a problem with that musty smell

 

[Mosey]

Oh yeah the old reliable "inconvenience 101 that I've never had to do on any vehicle" of turning off the AC before every single time you turn your vehicle off. Effing Ford (or the govmnt if you believe the video).....

I don’t have the issue but I absolutely agree this is caused by going to water based chemicals. Paint peeling to also a common issue with water-based paints.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I use this stuff and spray it in the passenger side cowl inlet once or twice year as needed. I don't bother with spraying it in the A/C vents just the fresh air inlet. Just pull out the old cabin filter and put the cover plate back on, spray about 1/3-1/2 a can down towards the passenger side air inlet with the blower on max. Let the fan blower run with the A/C off for 5 or so minutes with the windows open and then shut it down for and sit about 30 minuets then install a new cabin filter and let it blow for for another 5 min. No more musty smells on startup. There will be a light clean laundry smell from the vents for a few days after that. Much better smelling than Lysol and works just as well.

InterDynamics Certified A/C Pro Vent and Duct Cleaner

I also use this cabin filter as it does a pretty good job at removing other odors from the cab.
FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

 

[Jimko]

Check out TSB-19-2345. I did the condensate drip line portion. Part was $7. Took me about 35-40 minutes last year.

Also did Lubeguard 96030 Kool-It Evaporator and heater foam cleaner. Have not had the issue come back in over a year.

 

[VRFlyer]

Same issue. 2022 rocky ridge lariat trim. Had the wiper holders replaced with no fix. Gets worse when hot/raining. Tried everything.

I’ve posted in this thread what worked for my truck, I haven’t changed that filter as of today, still keeping that towel mildew smell out. ??

Sponsored