Wet rag smell every time

[perkins1]

I leave my truck in Auto mode and it always seems to default to drawing outside air. I know I would always have to press the recirculate button every time I got in the truck. I believe that if the truck is using max A/C it will be using the recirculate mode. I see you live in texas so that may be the reason why yours defaults to recirculate

Water coming in from cab vents in back wall of cab. That was my issue. I can visually see it.

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[sts90]

Anyone know a way to eliminate the wet rag smell? Every time I turn on the AC I smell it. I’ve replaced cabin filters and that helps but it doesn’t do away with the smell when I first turn on the unit

This:

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

My truck does this too - definitely not a recirculate thing because on auto mine is pulling in outside air. I've never seen it use recirculate unless I manually switch it.

It was first noticeable near the end of last summer, then it went away with the winter. Now it's starting to come back again. Today I sprayed some Febreze in the cowl vents with the heat on high, hoping that helps.

When it warms up again later this week I'm going to make absolutely sure the drain isn't plugged. I doubt it is because I don't park under trees or anything, but always a chance I guess.

Auto does use recirculate from time to time as needed it cycles on and off as well as modulating the blend doors.

The key point is this.

Turn auto OFF before turning the truck off. Select vent. This allows the evaporator and its casing to dry out. This SOLVES this smell as long as you don’t have a cabin leak that is creating a wet carpet issue.

 

[js312]

Auto does use recirculate from time to time as needed it cycles on and off as well as modulating the blend doors.

The key point is this.

Turn auto OFF before turning the truck off. Select vent. This allows the evaporator and its casing to dry out. This SOLVES this smell as long as you don’t have a cabin leak that is creating a wet carpet issue.

Does it do it without lighting the recirculation button up? Because mine definitely doesn't light that on its own.

 

[Goldeneye36]

Does it do it without lighting the recirculation button up? Because mine definitely doesn't light that on its own.

Yup, when in Auto the recirc light stays off on my truck no matter what it's doing. I wish it worked the other way and showed what the truck is doing. I'm also not sure if pressing the recirc button while in Auto actually does anything or not.

 

[js312]

Yup, when in Auto the recirc light stays off on my truck no matter what it's doing. I wish it worked the other way and showed what the truck is doing. I'm also not sure if pressing the recirc button while in Auto actually does anything or not.

It definitely changes things in mine. If I am following a vehicle that burns oil up a hill or go past a dead skunk, as soon as I hit recirc the smell stops being drawn into the cab. You can also hear the dampers move in the dash when you hit the button.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I've used this A/c cleaner spray and it works really well and has a much better scent than Lysol. Lasts about 6-8 months before I need to do it again. I also don't bother with spraying it in the A/C vents just 1/3 of a can in the air inlet under the passenger side cowl. Open the windows and leave the vent fan on full with A/C off for about 10 minutes then shut it off and let the truck air out for a couple hours. Since doing this no wet rag smell when starting up the A/C during the summer.

InterDynamics Certified A/C Pro Vent and Duct Cleaner

I also change the cabin filter out every six months with one of these to block most of the exhaust and other odors from outside that seep past even when in recirc. This filter doesn't restrict airflow much like some others do but still does a really decent job at stopping odors as well as filtering out the smell of your kid's McDonald's happy meal.

FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

 

[js312]

I've used this A/c cleaner spray and it works really well and has a much better scent than Lysol. Lasts about 6-8 months before I need to do it again. I also don't bother with spraying it in the A/C vents just 1/3 of a can in the air inlet under the passenger side cowl. Open the windows and leave the vent fan on full with A/C off for about 10 minutes then shut it off and let the truck air out for a couple hours. Since doing this no wet rag smell when starting up the A/C during the summer.

InterDynamics Certified A/C Pro Vent and Duct Cleaner

I also change the cabin filter out every six months with one of these to block most of the exhaust and other odors from outside that seep past even when in recirc. This filter doesn't restrict airflow much like some others do but still does a really decent job at stopping odors as well as filtering out the smell of your kid's McDonald's happy meal.

FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

Toyota and Subaru have a two part kit that cleans the evaporator and also sprays into the cowl vent. The Subaru branded kit is about $25 shipped. I might give it a try. I replaced the cabin air filter about a month ago, but will keep that odor eliminating one in mind for next time around.

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