Hi everyone,

i have a 2008 LS460L with 105k. Approximately 3 weeks ago I noticed my A/C has an extemely bad rotten milk smell when it was on. It smells initially for approximately 15 seconds then it goes away. I went to the dealer and had them clean the drainage tube, used ozium for the vents and changed the cabin filter with one i provided. It was good for approximately 1.5 weeks then the smell came back.

I try to use the fresh air option when i am approximately 2 miles from my destination, to let the system dry out, to reduce mildew and such. When i turn off the car, i don't tend to turn off the a/c. When the i start the car up again, the system automatically goes back into Re-circ mode and the a/c smells like crap for 15 seconds again.

I did some diagnosis myself and this is what I have done:

1. I set the SMOG sensor for the cabin to Low, and it seems to force the system to be in fresh air mode longer and reduces the system to go back in to re-circ mode automatically
2. I noticed if i switch the angle to feet only, then start the a/c and fan, the smell isn't there. Once 15 seconds have passed, i switch it back to the face angle and there's no smell
3. You can smell the rotten milk smell when the car is off and when you put your nose up to the front dash air vents

I brought it back to the dealer today and they said my car needs a charcoal filter to better reduce the smell and they will clean the a/c unit again. my gut feeling is the charcoal filter does not affect it...i think a regular filter will do its job, but we will see.

Any thoughts or have anyone experienced this?

Thanks

 

Thanks for the tip on those filters I was wondering if they were worth the xtra cost!

 

Fact , I have it . Better filtering over reduced airflow for sure .