I finally got around to implementing a longer-term solution to removing the bad smell when switching the A/C off to external vent. I tried the two-step Toyota cleaner. With this one, you don't have to drill any holes in the evaporator housing. Instead, you get underneath the vehicle and spray the foam up the evaporator drain tube. There are two drain tubes for the front evap, one for the rear evap on the ultra. The trick is finding the drain tubes. I had to put the car on stands to get underneath and search for it. If you look about a foot inside of the front wheel (on either side), there is a silver, aluminum cover plate covered with a bunch of tiny dimples. In the front portion of this plate, there's a hole about 1.5" in diameter. If you stick your finger into the hole, you'll feel the drip tube. Following the instructions, I inserted the pointed fitting of the tall spray foam can into the tube so it had a snug fit, then emptied half the can. You have to do it relatively quickly (< 2 min) since the foam turns into a liquid only after a few minutes. The foam started exiting out the other drain tube while I was spraying, but then the liquid drained out both. The instructions say to wait about 5 min, then empty the remainder of the can up the tube. You should be able to perform this procedure to the front evaporator w/o having to jack up the car once you know where the drain tube is! For the rear, the drain tube is about a foot inside the DS rear wheel. It's a black tube that drips into the rear of the plastic cover plate. This evap housing only has one drain tube. I put as much foam as would fit in there (maybe a third of a can...you'll feel it fill up, as it won't take anymore). Then wait 5 min and fill it up again.

Step 2 of the process is to use the small can of refreshener by spraying the entire contents into the air intake. I did this w/ the A/C on with blower on high. Let it circulate for about 5 minutes w/ windows up, doors closed, then air out the car. Definitely much fresher. IIRC, the kit was like $14 at Sewell.

 

This is my dream post I really needed this as I was just about sick of the smell in my car great post man thanks!

 

Request for pt # pls.

 

Not sure what P/N is, but here is the link
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2005/4481.html

The CL price is $14.64 compared to $19.97 list.

 

great post! so want to do this!

 

How do you utilize the cl discount?? What's the code I guess is what i'm asking.

 

You need to create an account, and then when you sign in with your account each time, it will be automatic.

 

BTW, I got my second set of 5-spoke wheels at Sewell using the CL discount. They were like $1900 shipped including center caps, much cheaper than the local dealer!! You can also request prices for odd things such as those little metal brake pad wear sensor clips or the rear optical air filter.

 

Sometimes I can still smell the former owners cigarettes...I think I may try this! Thanks for the info....

 

to create a sewell account and to receive the discount, you must provide them your club lexus user name.

 

nice work..you should post some pics for the location of the tubes. Also did a lot of dirty liquid drained out? and did you notice any change