04 ls430 ac Smelling kinda funky after using it for a while
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 32
From: VA
04 ls430 ac Smelling kinda funky after using it for a while
My AC is working fine, blowing really cold air. I would use it for about 30 minutes, then off the engine then go to lunch. After getting back, the ac would start up but it would funky for like 2 minutes before going back to normal. Any ideas?
Thanks
Vehilce has 104k
Thanks
Vehilce has 104k
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 87
From: Delaware
I would change the cabin filter also.
Additionally, I would get some Lysol (spray), (LYSOL--not Febreeze nor Renuzit, etc!) and with the AC on and the FAN on HIGH, spray several good shots of Lysol from the OUTSIDE, into the air vents near the bottom of the windshield cowling (both sides), down by the wipers in their resting position.
The Lysol will disinfect and kill any mold, etc potentially growing in the air ducts and vents.
Also, another tidbit I swear by, and works, is NEVER to shut the fan OFF, ever! Basically, you always want to keep a small amount of air circulating throughout your vents. You don't need to run the A/C...just don't push the OFF button on the climate control.
When you click OFF, it obviously, totally shuts the fan off. Couple the fan not pushing ANY air thoughout the ducts, and any humidity or moisture whatsoever in your vents = the potential to grow funky!
Once you go funky, it takes a while to get straight..lol
disclaimer--i do not have any stock nor financial interest in Lysol nor Reckitt Benckiser, Inc.
Additionally, I would get some Lysol (spray), (LYSOL--not Febreeze nor Renuzit, etc!) and with the AC on and the FAN on HIGH, spray several good shots of Lysol from the OUTSIDE, into the air vents near the bottom of the windshield cowling (both sides), down by the wipers in their resting position.
The Lysol will disinfect and kill any mold, etc potentially growing in the air ducts and vents.
Also, another tidbit I swear by, and works, is NEVER to shut the fan OFF, ever! Basically, you always want to keep a small amount of air circulating throughout your vents. You don't need to run the A/C...just don't push the OFF button on the climate control.
When you click OFF, it obviously, totally shuts the fan off. Couple the fan not pushing ANY air thoughout the ducts, and any humidity or moisture whatsoever in your vents = the potential to grow funky!
Once you go funky, it takes a while to get straight..lol
disclaimer--i do not have any stock nor financial interest in Lysol nor Reckitt Benckiser, Inc.
Last edited by LS430inDE.; Jul 31, 2009 at 01:52 PM.
Trending Topics
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Ca
If you do a search you'll find more on this.
Common issue with water in the system. When reading other posts, it was suggested to change the cabin filter (i'd take a look at it and see if it looks moldy or smelled back before doing it) and then to turn the car on and run the heater at it's highest setting for 15 minutes or so to help the system dry out.
As with the post above, leaving the system on auto was also suggested to help. Keeping air moving through the system helps keep it dry. One member received this suggestion from a Lexus Tech.
Best of luck!
Common issue with water in the system. When reading other posts, it was suggested to change the cabin filter (i'd take a look at it and see if it looks moldy or smelled back before doing it) and then to turn the car on and run the heater at it's highest setting for 15 minutes or so to help the system dry out.
As with the post above, leaving the system on auto was also suggested to help. Keeping air moving through the system helps keep it dry. One member received this suggestion from a Lexus Tech.
Best of luck!
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
i suggest better under arm deodorant. i keed. i keed.
like everyone mentioned above:
-check filter
-run heat for about 15min
-always keep fan on
-if using a/c...turn it off (not the fan) before reaching your destination to dry any condensation.
i tried the lysol trick. my whole car ended up smelling like lysol. took awhile to get that smell out. i've heard people using 1 part clorox to 10 part water...or even hydrogen peroxide instead of clorox...and spray into the vents under the windshield.
like everyone mentioned above:
-check filter
-run heat for about 15min
-always keep fan on
-if using a/c...turn it off (not the fan) before reaching your destination to dry any condensation.
i tried the lysol trick. my whole car ended up smelling like lysol. took awhile to get that smell out. i've heard people using 1 part clorox to 10 part water...or even hydrogen peroxide instead of clorox...and spray into the vents under the windshield.
I have the same problem and for a while now. Its like a god dam "car cancer". If you dont do nothing it will just get worst. A lot worst. I never used clorox but did try Isopropyl alcohol mixed with water but it didnt do nothing. Changed filters every month. Nothing. Went to autozone and got some spray to clean A/C system, nothing. Only after spraying some lysol in the vents did the smell go away a lil bit.
Can someone explain this [QUOTE=beangrower;4723608]-if using a/c...turn it off (not the fan) before reaching your destination to dry any condensation.
QUOTE]
cuz maybe im stupid but every time i turn off a/c the whole system shuts off (no air inside the car at all) unless i press the button to have the air come in from the outside.
Can someone explain this [QUOTE=beangrower;4723608]-if using a/c...turn it off (not the fan) before reaching your destination to dry any condensation.
QUOTE]
cuz maybe im stupid but every time i turn off a/c the whole system shuts off (no air inside the car at all) unless i press the button to have the air come in from the outside.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
There's another posting on this subject. I remember that the best suggestion was never to shut the car down with the vents in recirculation mode. They suggested by leaving the vents in Outside it would allow the system to dry out.
The heat exchanger is constantely bathed in water from ambient air with moistue condensing on the exchanger. You can see this from the water that drips from the bottom of the car when stopping with the A/C running.
I tried the Lysol caper and it seemed to help me. I did it again a few weeks later. I used a whole can of Lysol and could see the fluid dripping from underneath the car while doing it. I haven't been able to train myself to set the air to Outside when I shut down the car.
I suggest you try the Lysol every week for a few weeks and see if that helps.
The heat exchanger is constantely bathed in water from ambient air with moistue condensing on the exchanger. You can see this from the water that drips from the bottom of the car when stopping with the A/C running.
I tried the Lysol caper and it seemed to help me. I did it again a few weeks later. I used a whole can of Lysol and could see the fluid dripping from underneath the car while doing it. I haven't been able to train myself to set the air to Outside when I shut down the car.
I suggest you try the Lysol every week for a few weeks and see if that helps.
Moderator
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,761
Likes: 72
From: Atlanta, GA
Also try spraying Lysol in the return vent on the passenger side near the floor, I found that it works! I never tried the Lysol on the outside vents like LS430inDE and the others, I keep a can in the rear seat arm rest. (Perfect fit)
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: sc
It it is in recirc, it switches to outside when I turn the A/C off.
You guys can tell me I shoudn't do that but I've convinced myself I'm saving compressors and/or belts.