Hi Guys,

When I turn on my A/C I get a unpleasant smell for the first 30 seconds or so. Then once the air gets nice and cold the smell is gone.

Any ideas?

 

Do a search here and on the net for evaporator treatment.

 

I've heard of running the heat at full power for a minute or two (with windows down of course).

 

get a new cabin filter or make one yourself.

 

sorry, its located behind the glove box. open up the glove box and remove the plastic cover and youre on your way.

 

Check out DWD2 evaporator cleaner. I did my 96 ES300 today with the kit. Took me 1 1/2 hours to instal the kit and do the cleaning procedure. No more musty smell!!

 

there is a kit? where do you get it at and how does it work?

 

Can you send us a link? Pic? Thanks.

 

Do a Google search for DWD2. The links will give you info.

 

But those links don't have specifics on our cars. Does anyone have anything on the 3rd gen Lexus GS?

 

I would try changing the cabin filter as well, there is also disinfectant treatments some car dealerships and detail centers offer to get rid of any mold that may be causing the odor, but I have never tried it...

 

Last summer I had this problem. I changed the cabin filter and even tried the can of lysol sprayed in the windshield intake every day for a week but the smell remained. The odor was distinctly that of old urine. Turns out a mouse had wee'ed in the duct system. I have to assume that it was a rodent because the technician said he found mouse droppings under the hood. Anyway, I took it to my dealership because they had just started offering this misting service. They place a box in the car and it creates a mist similar to the old ultrasonic humidifiers. The mist infiltrates all the ac system, ducts, carpets, everywhere and removes the bad odors. I was skeptical but it worked beautifully.

Previously when I had my 02 ES, I would get an odor similar to old socks, a simple change of the cabin filter eliminated this smell. From that point on, I routinely changed the cabin filter annually and never had the odor again.

Do a search here and on google for "cabin filters" or "foul ac odors" and you will find tons of threads dedicated to the bad smells and their erradiction.

steviej

 

I know this topic has been discussed a couple of times. I've done a thorough search on the message boards.

I just recently purchased the DWD2 Evaporator Cleaner from the Toyota Dealership, but does anyone have detailed instructions on how to install the kit and use the cleaner foam? (specifically for the 3rd Gen GS)

If not, can someone post a picture showing me where I'm suppose to drill a hole in the cabin between the evaporator and the fan?

Thanks!
Michael