AC smells

[lnirenberg]

I've been forced to drive my Chevelle in the Northeastern monsoons as my daily driver is laid up for a few days. I don't often use the AC as I like to drive windows down but had to run it full blast to keep the windows from fogging up. Smells, like a cross between wet dog and mildly aged garbage, flow from the ducts. Any ideas what may be the root of this evil?

[CamaroAJ]

1 of 2 ways to fix the problem and both are simple. 1 use 1 cap full of bleach to 1 qt water. spray on the evaprator to kill the oder causing bacteria.

2. you can go to a GM dealer and get the oder eliminator spray, its like $60 bottle and will do the same thing but smells a little funny at first.

also before you turn your car off run the blower on high with the a/c off to dry the evaprator so the smell doesn't come back. GM does this on new cars with what they call an "after blow" that turns the blower motor on for a few after the car is turned off.

[lnirenberg]

I appreciate the detailed response and will get to work on it this weekend.

[John Wright]

Also make sure that the condensate drain isn't stopped up. May have some damp carpet adding some smell to the car.


CamAJ,
Isn't there a filter that can be replaced for the incoming air on newer cars?....I've heard about it, but never actually seen it or know where it is located. My wife's Tahoe is in need of such a replacement.

[CamaroAJ]

CamAJ,
Isn't there a filter that can be replaced for the incoming air on newer cars?....I've heard about it, but never actually seen it or know where it is located. My wife's Tahoe is in need of such a replacement.

there is on most new cars. depending on the year tahoe and options package it has one (well its 2 piece) you have to remove the lower black plastic on the passenger side footwell. then there is 1 or 2 5.5mm screws on a 1 inch plastic strip that holds them in. then you slide the filters out then slide the new ones in.

OT/ the smell has nothing to do with not having a filter.

[Pabst]

you can use lysol. that's what i use and it works well. and can make the interior smell nice for a while when you use the fan.

[turbo kid]

I bought my smell good stuff at auto zone.just follow the instructons on the bottle.Also my drain was clear but it did stink really bad after driving in the rain.