Musty Smell From Air Conditioner

[skyace888]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post or if any Meguiars product can help, but here goes anyways. Someone in my family has an '04 Acura MDX that is in good condition. Recently, there seems to be a musty odor coming from the air conditioning system. Turning off the cabin circulation button seems to mask the odor with other unpleasant odors from outside. The dealership couldn't pinpoint the problem last time they brought it in. Could the Meguiars odor eliminator maybe help in this case? If not, what else can we try?

Thanks,
Al

[SiriusRIMZ]

Check the Cabin Air Filter, your owners manual should indicate where this is. While you have a faily new car, sometimes water and wreak havoc with these cloth filters. Should be an easy fix if thats the case.

Odor eliminator works extremly well for me, take a couple time of religious use, then the odor is gone! I'd say its worth a shot.

[Five Star]

It's not a Meguiar's recommended service,
but this is what I would do.


1. Remove the cabin air filter from underneath the glove box.

2. Turn on the A/C and while running ,introduce Odor Eliminator into the Air Intake, usually located in the engine compartment under the windshield.

3. Let it run for a few minutes

4. Install new cabin air filter.

5. Enjoy a fresh smell

[romulus]

Five star comments certaintly works. To add a bit of info, Honda/Acura vehicles are notorious of the musky smells if you run most of the time the A/C. Most of the time the smells goes away when you have the A/C on. But as soon as you turn off the A/C the smell comes back. One way of dealing this, once in a while turn your fan vent on and with fresh mode. Let it run for awhile. With that you will dry out any condensation water in your system. If that doesn't works most likely the A/C water drain is plugged. The way you can check is craw down on the passenger side (since it's a MDX you have plenty of ground clearance. You might not need to jack up the vehicle.) Near by the firewall, look for a small rubber hose sticking out from the firewall. With a coat hanger wire, push it in the hole back a forward several times about 6 or 7 inches. If your drain tube is clogled you will see water come out with a bunch of debries. Oh make sure you don't stare directly otherwise you will get shower of junk and stale water on your face (been there done that )
hope this helps
Cheers!

[skyace888]

Thanks for the tips everyone. The vehicle is at the dealer being worked on for something else so they are taking a look at the air system as well. If they don't fix it, I will have to take action myself.

[99GrandTouring]

you can also get a mold/mildue spray at most automotive stores that works very well too.
If you want to have the system fully serviced there is a company galled BG Products that makes products that most dealerships use that is injected into the condensor box (air conditioning box under teh dash) and it foams up the condensor disolving all the gunk, gum, and other stuff on it, and flushes it out through the A/C Drain tubes.

Just some other options, depending on how far you want to go..

[02RSX]

This must be a common problem with many Acura's, because my RSX has the same problem. It is still under warrenty, so I will try to get them to fix it, eventually. The problem is finding a time that I can go without my car, which I use to commute to school and work. I don't think that they will give me a loaner (although it is part of the certified used program), because I am 19 years old .

[CEason06]

hmm my 93 Ranger has same problem...

[everglo]

Many makes have this problem but Honda/Acuras are notorious for this problem. A number of friends with H/As have this malodor. Usually smells a bit like urine.

May I recommend once you've removed the odor that you shut off the A/C a minute or so before you arrive at your destination to evacuate the condensation. I always do this and have never had an issue even on 2 Hondas. Hope it works for you as well.

[Jack230]

Originally posted by everglo
Many makes have this problem but Honda/Acuras are notorious for this problem. A number of friends with H/As have this malodor. Usually smells a bit like urine.

May I recommend once you've removed the odor that you shut off the A/C a minute or so before you arrive at your destination to evacuate the condensation. I always do this and have never had an issue even on 2 Hondas. Hope it works for you as well.

I agree,It's work.

[CJ3B]

I use some stuff for my 10 year old Montero... I buy it at the supermarket, and it's called Damp-Free.

It is used for mildew smells and humidity smells as well. I had once a problem of a small water leak, and as soon as the smell hit, I found water beneath the carpet.

Bought the stuff, and man, did this work.

What I do is park the car in the sun, with the windows rolled up (car outside all day). Then, drop in the Damp Free in the car. The flakes (white brittle flakes) absorb moisture in the air, as well as smelss, and converts to a thick liquid (clear/whitetish stuff; as always, don't allow this stuff to come in contact with your clothes or carpets/seats).

This liquid "stains" the blacktop for a while; don't ask how I know, but once you start getting liquid on the plastic container, drain it and put the container back.

In no time, you'll have a smell-free car. It'll take a couple of days, but trust me, it works, at least down here in sunny and hot Puerto Rico.

Best regards,

Jorge
San Juan, PR
USA

[gofastman]

The A/C evaporator is an excelant enviroment for mold and mildew to grow on, nice and moist with alot of surface area. If it turns out it is not you cabin air filter, try to find an A/C cleaner spray at your auto parts store near the A/C recharging kits, one brand is Pure-Air, if you cant find it a can of Lisol will work but it isn't as effective and smells bad IMO.
Turn the A/ C on high with the windows down and empty ~3/4 of the can into the air intake cowl at the bottom of the windsheild, next tyrn the system to receculate and find the intake duct under the dash (dont confuse it with the outlet duckt for the FLOOR setting) empty the remaining contens into the inlet. Shut of the car and let it sit for 10 minuts then tyrn the car on ad ryn the system on high with the windows/ doors open for about 10 minuts to thourghly air out the car.

[cjps17]

Re: Musty Smell From Air Conditioner

Alot of shops that do AC service will have a spray that goes on the cabin filter and then cycles through the AC vents. usually citrus scented, though!!

[everglo]

Re: Musty Smell From Air Conditioner

The A/C evaporator is an excelant enviroment for mold and mildew to grow on, nice and moist with alot of surface area. If it turns out it is not you cabin air filter, try to find an A/C cleaner spray at your auto parts store near the A/C recharging kits, one brand is Pure-Air, if you cant find it a can of Lisol will work but it isn't as effective and smells bad IMO.
Turn the A/ C on high with the windows down and empty ~3/4 of the can into the air intake cowl at the bottom of the windsheild, next tyrn the system to receculate and find the intake duct under the dash (dont confuse it with the outlet duckt for the FLOOR setting) empty the remaining contens into the inlet. Shut of the car and let it sit for 10 minuts then tyrn the car on ad ryn the system on high with the windows/ doors open for about 10 minuts to thourghly air out the car.

Wow, a whole can. I would check the VOCs on it before doing so. As bad as mold and breathing in mold spores can be VOCs are just as bad if not worse.

[2008es350]

Re: Musty Smell From Air Conditioner

found my cure by using Frigi-Clean and Frigi-Fresh. Was reccommended in other forum. Bought it and worked. found www ac-evaporator-cleaner.com