Hi. I rarely use the airconditioner on my 2002 SC430. When I do, it smells very moldy for the first 10 minutes or so. I assume that some part might be wet and moldy and I should take it out and soak it in chlorinated water or something. I already changed the air-filter in the back of the glove compartment and that was not it. Any ideas?


Thanks!

-mz

 

They sell a spray at AutoZone that you spray into your outside vents to help kill all the bacteria and what not...
depending on how bad it is... you might have to go through 2 or 3 cans

Also what I do to prevent any of that smell ever happening is... whenever I'm using the AC and I'm getting close my destination (maybe 30-45 seconds away), I'll turn off the AC button and change the circulation so the outside air comes in, but I leave the fan on. That way all of the really cold air is out of the vents, and when the car is shut off, the ducts won't sweat. If they do sweat the water will collect and after a while mold will start to grow.. and then you get the smell..

 

Exactly, listen to him.

Switching the a/c off then switching from recirc 'max cool' to outside air intake helps to dry out the evaporator core box before you stop the car.