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Musty A/C smell


JAWMKZ

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Before I do the Lysol trick, anyone else having issues with their A/C smelling musty? I plan on doing the In cabin air filter replacement as well, but just curious if anyone else is experiencing a musty smell when the recirculation is on for Max A/C? I saw a couple forums that advised to check the evaporator hose, but where is that located?

 

Thanks!

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I had or still have the problem.... I brought in my 15 with the A/C smell.. I actually brought it in on a hot day and had the service guy smell the problem.. I showed them the TSB but it was told it was not for the 15 model  :drool:​. They kept my car for a day and they sprayed stuff through the system... . That lasted for 2  days and the smell was back.  Returned to the dealer and this time they kept the car for 5 days and replaced the evaporator...I dont think this worked ... Had some warm weather last week and used the A/C steady for about 3 hours  and I could start to smell the odor once I turned the system off and then back on... not as strong but I think in time it will get worse ...I am going in for an oil change in 2 weeks.. I will bring it in on a hot day so that I can duplicate the issue and get some manager or supervisor involved... Still cant figure why they will not except the TSB on the 15.. Its the same car same issue as the 13-14  :drool:

Edited by Robert Iggy Cerami
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Brought it in and the dealer was fully aware of the TSB and issue associated with the A/C smell. I asked them to install a brand new in cabin air filter (at my cost as I requested it) if they do the TSB service, which they did end up completing the TSB and they did install a new filter. So far no smell, but we shall see as time goes by. Looking at the work involved to do an in cabin air filter change myself, I highly recommend you spend the < $30 for an in cabin air filter replacement if you take your car in for the A/C TSB, as they will already have the dash apart and be able to install the new filter for you.

 

If you do not fall under the TSB and feel adventurous, some forums on the issue suggest spraying Lysol into the outside vent with the air running (and all windows down). A quick search brought back that Lysol sells an unscented version. This might be an option compared to the dealer service and cost for them to spray whatever chemicals into your air system.

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 Instead of spraying Lysol into the air intake, you might want to try Frigi-Fresh, which is made specifically for this purpose.  This company also makes Frigi-Clean, which is a more involved process.  See here.

 

Another recommendation is shutting down the A/C after use and letting the car idle for a couple of minutes with just the blower on to dry out the evaporator.

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 Instead of spraying Lysol into the air intake, you might want to try Frigi-Fresh, which is made specifically for this purpose.  This company also makes Frigi-Clean, which is a more involved process.  See here.

 

Another recommendation is shutting down the A/C after use and letting the car idle for a couple of minutes with just the blower on to dry out the evaporator.

 

I looked up the product...  do you know if this is sold at auto part stores ?.. It only showed it was sold through authorized dealers and auto repair shops.. Thank's

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I had a discussion on the topic with a Ford employee and he too advised turning off the A/C a little bit before the car was turned off. He also mentioned to park the car with the window cracked to let the moisture escape the vehicle. I told him that I turn everything off before I turn my car off as I am of the old mindset, don't overload the starter, but he quickly countered that was not needed anymore due to the electronics of today's cars and by leaving the items on, the system will do what it needs to do on it's own.

 

I had to laugh though, the loaner MKS they gave me blasted me with a foul A/C smell each time I turned it on.

 

In researching a quick solution, there are a few cleaning sprays, just like Drolds1 mentioned. If I ever have to tackle this again, I would like to try the unscented Lysol first to see if that will work. $8 a can. Heck it kills H1N1.....

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  • 2 years later...

I had this TSB performed on my 2013 for the same problem. Yet, it did NOT solve the problem as it stinks more now than before. I am starting to feel that the dealer never changed the evap and used Frigi-fresh instead! My car sits a lot without being driven, so I faithfully vent the doors and the roof while it's in the garage. It's either a bas design, or I got "flat-rated" at the dealer.

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I had it with my 13 TSB did nothing for it.. Had it with my 15 dealer changed the Evap it helped but not for long... I have it on my 17 but not as much as previous models .. But summer is approaching so I am sure it will get worse.. I noticed that it happens when I turn off the AC to smoke and then turn the AC back on it last for a few minutes then goes away.. Just used to it and figured not much the dealer can do...

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