Bocatrip

I replaced my cabin air filter 12 months ago. I drove approximately 5,000 miles. It now has that moldy smell common with the a/c filter when it gets dirty. I haven't checked the filter, but wouldn't it be really soon to change a cabin filter after only 5,000 miles? Here in Florida the a/c never shuts off. Could it be an inner component that needs to be sprayed or cleaned as well? Thanks all.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

It's not the filter it is mold in the evaporator. Toyota makes a product that you can pump into the evaporator to clean it. I spray 70% rubbing alcohol down the fresh air intake to clean mine. I have a thread on here somewhere with the procedure.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Here is a link to another earlier thread. It seems to be somewhat common is the South where it is very humid and if you keep your AC on recirculate all the time.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...hs-use-it.html

Bocatrip

Thanks for the link Lavrishevo. It was quite helpful. I will be going with the alcohol method rather than the refresher kit. I too am not keen on inhaling the chemicals from the refresher kit. I'll give the alcohol spray a try and post back.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

The alcohol method works well and it only cost a few dollars.

XJSFan

I did this yesterday and my air in the LS is now soooo fresh. LOL. I then followed up with the Lysol fresh linen spray. This whole procedure works very well....

Jabberwock

2-3 times a year I check and vacuum out the cabin air filter. About every other year I might replace the filter depending on how it looks.

Bocatrip

I tried the alcohol method today. So far so good but it's early yet. Will report back after a week or so.

Jabberwock

Certainly no harm in doing this occasionally but a little caution may be warranted. High concentration isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) can damage rubber with long term exposure. I would not use anything higher than 70%.

Bocatrip

The bottle reads 70%. I sprayed a little less than half the bottle. Hopefully I should be good and am not planning on doing this on a regular basis.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I do mine every 3-6 months or so. The first time when the smell was particularly bad the color of aftermath coming out of the drain tubes was green... If you leave your AC on recirculate all the time it seems to promote the issue. Since then I just clean my smog sensor regularly, set it to max sensitivity, and leave it on auto switching. That is another easy and great diy. Cleaning the smog sensor.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ml#post8410737

LSDoc

Lav,
That looks like a great idea!
Where do I look to find that sensor???

Jabberwock

Sounds good - I'll try this method next time my HVAC gets the funk.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

It's mounted right in front of the radiator right next to the horn.