Cabin air smell when Ac is off and outside air is on

[kayaker2637]

Hot humid summer, I mostly use the auto setting on my truck. I noticed the air was starting to smell, and was planning on cleaning my AC evaporator. I also checked the cabin filter and AC drain and both are clean and clear.

My issue is when the AC air is on, it doesn't smell. I am only getting the smell when I turn on the blower and allow outside air in, like on a cool morning.

is that smell still coming from my AC evaporator, our do I need to clean somewhere else?

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[Billflangjr]

Hot humid summer, I mostly use the auto setting on my truck. I noticed the air was starting to smell, and was planning on cleaning my AC evaporator. I also checked the cabin filter and AC drain and both are clean and clear.

My issue is when the AC air is on, it doesn't smell. I am only getting the smell when I turn on the blower and allow outside air in, like on a cool morning.

is that smell still coming from my AC evaporator, our do I need to clean somewhere else?

Check the Filter !!

 

[obert]

Usually a dirty cabin filter behind the glove box. I change mine once a year.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Dirty filter or mildew development in the HVAC system. Get a new filter and use a cleaner product like this HVAC cleaner/deodorizer. Can also use it or Lysol a couple times a year to kill the mildew growing in the accumulator coils. Open the windows, pull the cabin filter out and replace the access cover, kick the fan on max fresh air and spray a decent amount down the passenger side cowl inlet from about middle of the windshield then shut the system off for 20-30 min then kick the blower back on to vent it out.

I do this a couple times a year and no musty smells form the AC.

 

[Retired#One]

I had the mildew smell. I put in a HEPA filter but it was still there.
I used Frigi-fresh

https://www.amazon.com/BG-Frigi-Fresh-5-5-oz-156g/dp/B0777TWFG5

Smell was drastically reduced. Applied a second time and it was gone.

 

[Texas2022XLT]

Hot humid summer, I mostly use the auto setting on my truck. I noticed the air was starting to smell, and was planning on cleaning my AC evaporator. I also checked the cabin filter and AC drain and both are clean and clear.

My issue is when the AC air is on, it doesn't smell. I am only getting the smell when I turn on the blower and allow outside air in, like on a cool morning.

is that smell still coming from my AC evaporator, our do I need to clean somewhere else?

Kind of ironic you posted this as I was looking for something this week as well. Mine started with the evaporator needing cleaned. When I first turned the AC on I would get that musty/moldy smell. I clean the evaporator last month and that fixed that issue but when running just the vent on outside air I would have some kind of smell. It didn't smell like the musty/moldy smell but it wasn't great either. I tried the Lysol and AV Vent Pro sprays, but it just covered the smell and it was back in a couple of days.

I started searching this week and came across a Ford Maverick forum and there was a person having the same issue. Someone told him to turn the heat up all the way and blast it changing from out the front vents to the defroster to the floor vents for around 20mins. The person stated on the first day it was improved and by the second day of doing it their issue was fixed.

I tried that starting Wednesday but didn't test it Thursday. I did the heat thing again Thursday on my way home and I have to say testing it this morning the smell was not there or did not appear. I can't say this is a permeant fix but I was shocked and surprised if it's really this simple. Maybe give that a shot and I'll post back next week if the issue stays gone.

 

[kayaker2637]

Thanks for all the comments.

I bought a new cabin filter, BG Frigi-Fresh, and Lubegard Evaporator and Heater Foam Cleaner.

I drove to autoZone and back with max heat on.

Going to blast the shit out of the evaporator today and hopefully kill the smell.

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