Musty smell out vents on start up
06-25-13, 02:53 PM
#1
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Musty smell out vents on start up
Anyone getting a sour, moldy, or musty smell when the car starts and the air is pushed out the front vents. I know its getting hot and humid here in midwest but kind of started before and smell got gradually worst with humidity. It goes away in like 15 seconds but its a pain to have a new/used care and it smell like a 16 year boy when you start up. Though the AC filter might be moldy or has some funk on it.
06-25-13, 03:18 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Bought mine in May of last year, but thankfully I don't have that problem.
I had it with my old car, a 2000 Dodge Neon. Stunk to the high heavens, so I can empathize.
I'd let the dealer fix it.
I had it with my old car, a 2000 Dodge Neon. Stunk to the high heavens, so I can empathize.
I'd let the dealer fix it.
06-25-13, 03:19 PM
#3
Anyone getting a sour, moldy, or musty smell when the car starts and the air is pushed out the front vents. I know its getting hot and humid here in midwest but kind of started before and smell got gradually worst with humidity. It goes away in like 15 seconds but its a pain to have a new/used care and it smell like a 16 year boy when you start up. Though the AC filter might be moldy or has some funk on it.
06-25-13, 05:36 PM
#4
Anyone getting a sour, moldy, or musty smell when the car starts and the air is pushed out the front vents. I know its getting hot and humid here in midwest but kind of started before and smell got gradually worst with humidity. It goes away in like 15 seconds but its a pain to have a new/used care and it smell like a 16 year boy when you start up. Though the AC filter might be moldy or has some funk on it.
What I do w all my cars is to shut off the AC a few blocks before my destination and let normal air circulate thru the cabin/ AC filter. Try it at least once in a while to see if it helps. I do this 90% of the time and none of my cars smell.
06-25-13, 06:32 PM
#5
This happens when you stop the engine with the AC running. Do this over a number of times and the residual condensation start to smell.
What I do w all my cars is to shut off the AC a few blocks before my destination and let normal air circulate thru the cabin/ AC filter. Try it at least once in a while to see if it helps. I do this 90% of the time and none of my cars smell.
What I do w all my cars is to shut off the AC a few blocks before my destination and let normal air circulate thru the cabin/ AC filter. Try it at least once in a while to see if it helps. I do this 90% of the time and none of my cars smell.
06-25-13, 07:22 PM
#7
So I guess the AC can still be on when you shut down the car as long as you switch it out of recirc mode and let some fresh air through the system prior to you arriving at your destination and shutting down your car. On my car when I shut off the AC it automatically goes out of recirc mode.
I like shutting off AC before coming home because I think it also minimizes condensations that drips from the car after you shut off the car. I don't like water dripping and forming a puddle in my garage.
Last edited by mso4; 06-25-13 at 07:59 PM.
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06-27-13, 07:57 AM
#8
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I took it to the dealer for oil change and told them about it. When I returned they stated the treated the AC with a spray to clean up anything build up in the system. When i started there was no smell and again this morning there was no smell after sitting off in the heat.
06-27-13, 08:00 AM
#9
I would not turn off the A/C here in Houston at all (except for that one week of winter we get). It is not norrmal for there to be a musty smell if the cold air box drains properly.. IJS
06-27-13, 09:26 AM
#10
I took it to the dealer for oil change and told them about it. When I returned they stated the treated the AC with a spray to clean up anything build up in the system. When i started there was no smell and again this morning there was no smell after sitting off in the heat.
06-27-13, 10:31 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Shutting the AC off every time is a PITA. You did the right thing by taking it back...
08-29-13, 05:55 AM
#13
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How's this issue going with everyone? I just hit 12,000 miles and my a/c is starting to get worse and worse. I just replaced the cabin filter with no impact. I have owned many cars and never had this issue. It is quite embarrassing to get a puff of curry and jockstrap every time you turn on your car. I'm curious if there is a fix out there. Shutting the a/c off prior to parking is not an option and a complete inconvenience.
08-29-13, 07:06 AM
#14
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Lol that's what I was thinking. I can't even sit in car for more than 2 mins in the garage without the AC on. Houston is hell light and I've never had that issue with any car and I've never turned off the AC before turning off the vehicle.
08-29-13, 07:20 AM
#15
I remember having an unpleasant smell in the morning a few months after I got it. It was so bad that I had to guide the blow away from me. It lasted a while then went away. I have AC on and keep inside circulation on all the time and haven't changed anything. I'm not sure what made it disappear. Me thinking maybe something was new and during "the burning in process" created this unpleasant smell. In any way, I'm glad it's not there anymore.
Very interesting point about circulating air from the outside in... My wife is very sensitive to smell. She can immediately tell when the air gets in.
We rented the new GL for our last trip. She asked why I let the outside air in. I knew that I didn't. So we paid attention... After a while the GL will automatically switch to let outside air circulated in. I'm not sure if this is by design or malfunction. We had to keep switching it back to inside circ only.
Very interesting point about circulating air from the outside in... My wife is very sensitive to smell. She can immediately tell when the air gets in.
We rented the new GL for our last trip. She asked why I let the outside air in. I knew that I didn't. So we paid attention... After a while the GL will automatically switch to let outside air circulated in. I'm not sure if this is by design or malfunction. We had to keep switching it back to inside circ only.