Air Conditioning Bad Smell

bradcc · 05-08-2011, 12:09 AM

Ever since I got the car last November, I've been noticing some bad smell from the vents after keeping A/C on for some time then turn off the A/C(but keeping the vent on). Everything smells normal if I don't use A/C at all. Now that summer's coming and that I've had to use A/C quite often lately, I'd like to find out what's causing that odor.

I would understand that A/C might develop odors on older cars, but it's hard to imagine why this would happen to a brand new car. Any one with similar problem/ideas?

buddahson · 05-08-2011, 12:23 AM

This is apparently a common issue with the 350z and 370z. An in cabin air filter should help. Your 2010 may have come with one stock but my 2009 did not. I suggest trying one of the charcoal flters. I got the standard STP one and had ok results but I will get the charcoal one next time.

DIY: DIY: Adding In-Cabin air filter to the 370Z

SE · 05-08-2011, 03:27 AM

It looks like you have a 2010 model. They do come with in-cabin air filters. They usually need replacement every 12 months or so to keep it fresh. I'm 99% sure that this will help solve your problem

memorylasts · 05-08-2011, 03:38 AM

The filter will help but AC forms condensation and if you don't dry that out it will cause the smell regardless if not mold. If I run my AC I will leave it on but turn the dial to hot about a couple minutes before I get to where I'm going along with full blast. I turn the air to vents that don't hit me, I also drive with the windows down 99% of the time, regardless of temp.

nynhex · 05-08-2011, 03:04 PM

I'm having a similar issue on my 09. Dealer says it's the evap canister for the A/C. Wants to charge me 150$ to put a new one in otherwise my car will smell funny.

Any idea if the 09's can utilize in-cabin filters?

roplusbee · 05-08-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynhex

I'm having a similar issue on my 09. Dealer says it's the evap canister for the A/C. Wants to charge me 150$ to put a new one in otherwise my car will smell funny.

Any idea if the 09's can utilize in-cabin filters?

They can. The filter is just not there from the factory. The holder is there and seems kinda strange that they didn't just fit the car from the factory........

chops · 05-08-2011, 04:17 PM

always run the fan without the AC on before you turn off your car. if i use my AC i will press the AC button a half mile or so away from my destination. best way to prevent mildew/mold smells!

abgyak · 05-12-2011, 07:51 AM

I have the same problem... mine is the 09.. So for our Z its the CAF1792?

Ive been doing some ebaying on the CAF1792, but 370Z wasnt in their listing...

Guard Dad · 05-13-2011, 02:01 AM

The cabin air filter is primarily for particulates not odors. I'm guessing that the AC is retaining condensation and that over time unpleasant things are growing in the dampness resulting in the odor you are smelling.

Why does the dealer want to charge you, are you out of warranty? I'm not sure that an evap canister is the answer. I'd get a second opinion.

If it is mold it could be a real health hazard. Some folks are extremely sensitive to mold.

tjlazer · 05-13-2011, 02:57 AM

you could try the Lysol spray in the air vents trick. DO you get a bad smell in the vents?

abgyak · 05-13-2011, 03:48 AM

For me i only get the unpleasant smell within 10sec after i switched on the AC... after that its all good... i did highlight this problem to the dealer recently & they said something about a micro filter or something... i cant really grasp what they were talking about... But i assume the smell came from some condensation formed in the vents.. Any idea how to remove those molds? Is Lysol spray one of them?

SoCalZ · 05-13-2011, 03:51 AM

Stick a Car freshener tree in the air cabin filter....problems solved...lol

roplusbee · 05-13-2011, 05:20 AM

LOL, at least you won't smell the craziness growing in the vents anymore............

BeachZTT · 05-13-2011, 02:36 PM

I agree that it is likely mold in the vent and ducts. I have not tried this but have heard of others having luck with it. My Xterra needs it. I will probably try it there.

How to Clean Mold in a Car's Air Conditioning System | eHow.com

and...

How to Prevent Mold in Your Vehicle's Air Conditioning System | eHow.com

1325 · 05-13-2011, 05:55 PM

1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner - A/C Odor + Bacteria Cleaner

http://detailersdomain.com/carcarepr...maCleaner.html

05-08-2011, 12:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
bradcc Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 37 Drives: 10 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 15	Air Conditioning Bad Smell Ever since I got the car last November, I've been noticing some bad smell from the vents after keeping A/C on for some time then turn off the A/C(but keeping the vent on). Everything smells normal if I don't use A/C at all. Now that summer's coming and that I've had to use A/C quite often lately, I'd like to find out what's causing that odor. I would understand that A/C might develop odors on older cars, but it's hard to imagine why this would happen to a brand new car. Any one with similar problem/ideas?

05-08-2011, 12:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
buddahson Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 272 Drives: 09 370z, 07 R6 Rep Power: 16	This is apparently a common issue with the 350z and 370z. An in cabin air filter should help. Your 2010 may have come with one stock but my 2009 did not. I suggest trying one of the charcoal flters. I got the standard STP one and had ok results but I will get the charcoal one next time. DIY: DIY: Adding In-Cabin air filter to the 370Z __________________ Thanks for the sig EazyD.

05-08-2011, 03:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
memorylasts A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,125 Drives: Cars... Rep Power: 17	The filter will help but AC forms condensation and if you don't dry that out it will cause the smell regardless if not mold. If I run my AC I will leave it on but turn the dial to hot about a couple minutes before I get to where I'm going along with full blast. I turn the air to vents that don't hit me, I also drive with the windows down 99% of the time, regardless of temp. ahova likes this. __________________ somewhat-journal-thingy

05-12-2011, 07:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
abgyak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunei Darussalam Posts: 378 Drives: 370z - 260z - 280zx Rep Power: 16	I have the same problem... mine is the 09.. So for our Z its the CAF1792? Ive been doing some ebaying on the CAF1792, but 370Z wasnt in their listing... __________________ Brunei Darussalam: Abode Of Peace

05-13-2011, 02:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Guard Dad Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Orange County, CA Posts: 422 Drives: 2010 370Z Silver A7 Rep Power: 15	The cabin air filter is primarily for particulates not odors. I'm guessing that the AC is retaining condensation and that over time unpleasant things are growing in the dampness resulting in the odor you are smelling. Why does the dealer want to charge you, are you out of warranty? I'm not sure that an evap canister is the answer. I'd get a second opinion. If it is mold it could be a real health hazard. Some folks are extremely sensitive to mold. Last edited by Guard Dad; 05-13-2011 at 02:06 AM.

05-08-2011, 03:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
SE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 4,236 Drives: 370z/STI/EVO X/IS-F Rep Power: 23	It looks like you have a 2010 model. They do come with in-cabin air filters. They usually need replacement every 12 months or so to keep it fresh. I'm 99% sure that this will help solve your problem

05-08-2011, 03:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
nynhex Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 247 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 371	I'm having a similar issue on my 09. Dealer says it's the evap canister for the A/C. Wants to charge me 150$ to put a new one in otherwise my car will smell funny. Any idea if the 09's can utilize in-cabin filters?

05-08-2011, 04:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
chops A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NA Posts: 1,732 Drives: NA Rep Power: 22	always run the fan without the AC on before you turn off your car. if i use my AC i will press the AC button a half mile or so away from my destination. best way to prevent mildew/mold smells!

05-13-2011, 02:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	you could try the Lysol spray in the air vents trick. DO you get a bad smell in the vents? __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

05-13-2011, 03:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
abgyak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunei Darussalam Posts: 378 Drives: 370z - 260z - 280zx Rep Power: 16	For me i only get the unpleasant smell within 10sec after i switched on the AC... after that its all good... i did highlight this problem to the dealer recently & they said something about a micro filter or something... i cant really grasp what they were talking about... But i assume the smell came from some condensation formed in the vents.. Any idea how to remove those molds? Is Lysol spray one of them? __________________ Brunei Darussalam: Abode Of Peace

05-13-2011, 03:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
SoCalZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 53 Drives: Build #3 40th Rep Power: 14	Stick a Car freshener tree in the air cabin filter....problems solved...lol

05-13-2011, 05:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 22	LOL, at least you won't smell the craziness growing in the vents anymore............ __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

05-13-2011, 02:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
BeachZTT Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 746 Drives: '10 BC ZR T/S/Nav Rep Power: 17	I agree that it is likely mold in the vent and ducts. I have not tried this but have heard of others having luck with it. My Xterra needs it. I will probably try it there. How to Clean Mold in a Car's Air Conditioning System \| eHow.com and... How to Prevent Mold in Your Vehicle's Air Conditioning System \| eHow.com __________________ '10 ZR Black Cherry Sport/Touring/Nav, Swift Springs, Stillen G3s, 15mm-F 20mm-R Spacers, SPC, Spoiler Solutions Rear Wing, Stubby Antenna

05-13-2011, 05:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
1325 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 287 Drives: 10 370Z BLK 6M Rep Power: 15	1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner - A/C Odor + Bacteria Cleaner http://detailersdomain.com/carcarepr...maCleaner.html

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY: Air conditioning for your Sump!.......	Modshack	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	43	06-06-2014 12:15 PM
New Car Smell	OldGuy	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	39	05-01-2012 10:27 PM
Air Conditioning problem	toc2rta	Nissan 370Z Owners Manual / Service Manuals	1	03-31-2010 08:58 PM
AC smell?	zulus370Z	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	9	08-30-2009 07:32 PM
Ah... that new car smell...	370Z Purist	New 370Z Owner	42	06-26-2009 08:44 PM