Musty Smell Coming from Air Vents

[RocketFistMooga]

I have a terrible musty smell coming from my air vents. I have tried the Lysol spray trick both direct to the cabin air filter slot and exterior intakes. I have also tried the KOOL-IT evaporator and Heater foam cleaner but I honestly feel like it just made it worse. I called my dealer and described the issue and they went on and on about how it could be water under the floor mats which is obviously not the issue. It only smells when the air vents are on. And the smell is coming directly from the air vents. Not sure what to do next. Wife is refusing to ride in the truck because she thinks she is getting poisoned LOL. Any ideas?

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[Ricksc]

Have you checked your cabin air filter? Saw a thread about them getting wet

 

[INADAZE]

Have you checked your cabin air filter?

Also, there was a thread recently discussing the drainage holes in the engine bay near the firewall that get clogged easily and can cause water to enter the cab.

I'll try and link it once I find it.

 

[RocketFistMooga]

Have you checked your cabin air filter?

Also, there was a thread recently discussing the drainage holes in the engine bay near the firewall that get clogged easily and can cause water to enter the cab.

I'll try and link it once I find it.

Fresh new air filter. I also can see plenty of water exiting the drain hole when the AC is running. Leads me to believe a clog is not the issue.

 

[Joe_Lee]

I am having this issue with my ‘23 F150 but mine is only at start up. There is a very distinct smell like something is wet and has mold and mildew but no where in my truck is wet, I’ve checked multiple times.

I’ve also checked all the drainage areas and have not found any obstructions. When my truck is running, the condensation drips freely on the ground.

I changed the cabin filter last week and it absolutely helped but his morning I could smell it again.

Just one thing to note about cabin filters, I replaced mine with a “hepa” filter from Oreilys and it heavily restricted the air flow and the fan speeds on high did not produce much flow out of the vents. I replaced it today with a “standard” Wix filter and the normal air flow is back, just FYI.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have a terrible musty smell coming from my air vents. I have tried the Lysol spray trick both direct to the cabin air filter slot and exterior intakes. I have also tried the KOOL-IT evaporator and Heater foam cleaner but I honestly feel like it just made it worse. I called my dealer and described the issue and they went on and on about how it could be water under the floor mats which is obviously not the issue. It only smells when the air vents are on. And the smell is coming directly from the air vents. Not sure what to do next. Wife is refusing to ride in the truck because she thinks she is getting poisoned LOL. Any ideas?

Good afternoon, Clay! I would be glad to help you out with this must smell concern. Just shoot us a PM with your VIN and dealer name/location, and I'll get right on it. To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation". Thank you!

 

[Mtntrls]

For what it’s worth I also noticed this from my air vents of my 2021, and went through all the same troubleshooting to no avail. Dealer also dismissed it.

 

[Calson]

What worked with my truck was spraying Febreze that is designed to kill odors. A single application was 100% effective and it cost less than $10 for the spray bottle.

 

[crazywayne311]

this is very common and discussed either on this site of the other F150 forum...
anyway, running your AC cool and then exiting the vehicle causes the system to condensate...i know we all know this but for some reason, something in the system houses that musty smell.

i've found a way to remedy it though. we shouldnt have to do this but it does work/help.
right before turning the system off and exiting the vehicle, run the temp up. you dont have to run yourself out the truck with heat but i usually go 70-75ish for about 3-5 min.

 

[Hammertime]

It’s the cloth piece in your sunroof. Remove it (small plastic clips at the bottom) soak it in your mold killer of choice let it dry and reinstall.

 

[Severdog]

I have a terrible musty smell coming from my air vents.

I have the same. I have no interior leaks and have to assume that it's condensate in the interior passages of the vents. I run the A/C all the time regardless of temps and that likely contributes to it. I think I'll try the Febreze route.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have the same. I have no interior leaks and have to assume that it's condensate in the interior passages of the vents. I run the A/C all the time regardless of temps and that likely contributes to it. I think I'll try the Febreze route.

Hi Craig! I can look into your F-150’s concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your F-150’s VIN?

 

[22F150XL]

Check the under hood on the passenger side cowl drain point, see photo. It will clog and water will leak into the cabin air filter area.

 

[Kshort62]

Welcome to owning a new Ford … my ‘22 Limited smells so bad the last long road trip that we opened the sunroof and windows .. been to the dealer twice so far , they know it’s coming back … bullshit on Ford’s part

 

[RocketFistMooga]

Check the under hood on the passenger side cowl drain point, see photo. It will clog and water will leak into the cabin air filter area.

Can you zoom out to better understand what I am looking at/for?

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