Musty Smell Coming from Air Vents

[edavis4798]

I think I found the solution to this once and for all. I've had this same problem all summer with my truck. I live in FL where it gets very hot and humid so my AC is on LO almost anytime I run the truck. I've tried the lysol trick, the evaporator cleaner trick, etc and nothing worked. The smell/mold eventually got so bad it started to make me and my girl have horrible allergies in the truck. Thats where I drew the line, I finally decided to bring it into the dealer and they found the evaporator box (housing?) was full of mold. They replaced that and so far after having the truck back for a few days I haven't smelled that god awful smell anymore after leaving the truck sit overnight. What I'm going to start doing is trying to shut the ac off a few minutes before i get where I'm going if I plan to leave the vehicle off for an extended period of time to try to dry some of that evaporator and housing out. I will update you if the smell comes back in the future.

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[FirstFord]

Any chance that you might now which housing the offending mold was found in?

EDIT: I tried to post a picture, but it would not upload. So, posting link instead:

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/c...porator-hvac-unit-case-30l-p-ml3z19850h?pdp=y

 

[TarnishedCopper]

I think I found the solution to this once and for all. I've had this same problem all summer with my truck. I live in FL where it gets very hot and humid so my AC is on LO almost anytime I run the truck. I've tried the lysol trick, the evaporator cleaner trick, etc and nothing worked. The smell/mold eventually got so bad it started to make me and my girl have horrible allergies in the truck. Thats where I drew the line, I finally decided to bring it into the dealer and they found the evaporator box (housing?) was full of mold. They replaced that and so far after having the truck back for a few days I haven't smelled that god awful smell anymore after leaving the truck sit overnight. What I'm going to start doing is trying to shut the ac off a few minutes before i get where I'm going if I plan to leave the vehicle off for an extended period of time to try to dry some of that evaporator and housing out. I will update you if the smell comes back in the future.

 

[TarnishedCopper]

Mine was not nearly as bad as what you describe. breathing mold can kill you! I removed the filter and used my little Inspection Camera to look around down in the area. I then used an air hose to liberally blow out the area using a piece of rubber fuel line to make it "bendable. I also blew out the area under thehood that has been pointed out it drains from. Replaced the filter and all has been good. I do note now every time I park it, I see a wet spot directly around the right front wheel, so it is draining.

 

[Texas2022XLT]

I think I found the solution to this once and for all. I've had this same problem all summer with my truck. I live in FL where it gets very hot and humid so my AC is on LO almost anytime I run the truck. I've tried the lysol trick, the evaporator cleaner trick, etc and nothing worked. The smell/mold eventually got so bad it started to make me and my girl have horrible allergies in the truck. Thats where I drew the line, I finally decided to bring it into the dealer and they found the evaporator box (housing?) was full of mold. They replaced that and so far after having the truck back for a few days I haven't smelled that god awful smell anymore after leaving the truck sit overnight. What I'm going to start doing is trying to shut the ac off a few minutes before i get where I'm going if I plan to leave the vehicle off for an extended period of time to try to dry some of that evaporator and housing out. I will update you if the smell comes back in the future.

How long was it in the shop? I thought they had to pull the whole dash to replace that.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I think I found the solution to this once and for all. I've had this same problem all summer with my truck. I live in FL where it gets very hot and humid so my AC is on LO almost anytime I run the truck. I've tried the lysol trick, the evaporator cleaner trick, etc and nothing worked. The smell/mold eventually got so bad it started to make me and my girl have horrible allergies in the truck. Thats where I drew the line, I finally decided to bring it into the dealer and they found the evaporator box (housing?) was full of mold. They replaced that and so far after having the truck back for a few days I haven't smelled that god awful smell anymore after leaving the truck sit overnight. What I'm going to start doing is trying to shut the ac off a few minutes before i get where I'm going if I plan to leave the vehicle off for an extended period of time to try to dry some of that evaporator and housing out. I will update you if the smell comes back in the future.

this philosophy works. Ran into this problem while I lived in Florida for 15 years. Took a couple years to figure it out but never had the smell again in five different cars. I had the last 12-13 years down there.

 

[edavis4798]

How long was it in the shop? I thought they had to pull the whole dash to replace that.

Nope, if they had to replace the evaporator itself then yes, they would have to strip the dash off. However just to replace the housing for it they were able to do so without pulling the dash. They said if the smell returns they will have to pull the dash and replace the evaporator and do an ozone treatment.

 

[edavis4798]

Nope, if they had to replace the evaporator itself then yes, they would have to strip the dash off. However just to replace the housing for it they were able to do so without pulling the dash. They said if the smell returns they will have to pull the dash and replace the evaporator and do an ozone treatment.

My service advisor says he sees this issue often with vehicles especially here in Florida where we use our A/C 95% of the year and Florida is humid year round, therefore our evaporators are sucking out so much moisture it doesn't all drain out. It sucks that our trucks have this issue. I don't know anyone else who has this issue with their vehicles.

 

[edavis4798]

this philosophy works. Ran into this problem while I lived in Florida for 15 years. Took a couple years to figure it out but never had the smell again in five different cars. I had the last 12-13 years down there.

I hope so. I feel like its an unnecessary step that shouldn't have to be taken because of a poor design flaw

 

[edavis4798]

Mine was not nearly as bad as what you describe. breathing mold can kill you! I removed the filter and used my little Inspection Camera to look around down in the area. I then used an air hose to liberally blow out the area using a piece of rubber fuel line to make it "bendable. I also blew out the area under thehood that has been pointed out it drains from. Replaced the filter and all has been good. I do note now every time I park it, I see a wet spot directly around the right front wheel, so it is draining.

Good to note. God forbid I have this issue again in the future I'll have to go get myself one of those cameras and check out where the mold/mildew accumulates.

 

[edavis4798]

Any chance that you might now which housing the offending mold was found in?

EDIT: I tried to post a picture, but it would not upload. So, posting link instead:

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/c...porator-hvac-unit-case-30l-p-ml3z19850h?pdp=y

I'm not too sure. From what I understand its the housing that's around the evaporator.

 

[Texas2022XLT]

I'm not too sure. From what I understand its the housing that's around the evaporator.

Was it the lower part of the box? I thought from the videos online that was all one unit, any PNs from the service sheet you could share?

 

[TarnishedCopper]

Good to note. God forbid I have this issue again in the future I'll have to go get myself one of those cameras and check out where the mold/mildew accumulates.

I got mine at Harbor Freight years ago. They now have ones that attach to your smart phone. I have used that thing for looking into spark plug holes, walls of the house, you name it they are handy and not very expensive.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

My service advisor says he sees this issue often with vehicles especially here in Florida where we use our A/C 95% of the year and Florida is humid year round, therefore our evaporators are sucking out so much moisture it doesn't all drain out. It sucks that our trucks have this issue. I don't know anyone else who has this issue with their vehicles.

well, with your philosophy, we shouldn’t have to lock doors or houses. There’s a log against breaking and entering and stealing. However, we lock doors, cars, garage, houses to prevent unwanted theft.

It’s an extra step. We must do only enter or leave a car or truck or house, but, it’s necessary.

 

[RocketFistMooga]

Update: been working with my dealer and they have gotten approval from ford to replace the housing or whatever part it is that may be harboring all the (what I assume to be is) mold. Hoping the part comes in this week. Will provide any updates

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