Pungent Odor from AC Use?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2
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From: CA
Pungent Odor from AC Use?
I did an extensive search and to the best of my knowledge, no one has posted this question yet. I have a 2002 RX300 and since the weather's been warm in CA, I've used my AC quite a bit. I've recently noticed that when I pull into my garage at the end of the day, my car lets out this really pungent smell. It smells like perhaps coolant is leaking?? That's my guess. Anyone else with the same problem/issue?
its mold growing in your AC vents. Spray all of your vents with Lysol and let it drip down into them.... in a day or so you will have no odor.
I did that to a musty 94 Supra.... smells new now no nasty AC smell anymore!!
I did that to a musty 94 Supra.... smells new now no nasty AC smell anymore!!
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
If the smell is "damp/moldy" I would reccomend running heater at high. But since EllenRx said pungent ... like vaporized coolant ... I will not do the heater (that may make the situation worse) till there is some surity that the coolant level has not dropped.
Salim
Salim
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
I noticed a similar smell in my own last week at the track and also noticed a slightly lower coolant level, maybe the length of nickel (for lack of better measurement). This was coming out of the engine bay, but I noticed no leaks, just the lower coolant level. I added just a little coolant in the reservoir and smell was gone.
That smell that comes out the vents can be killed with Lysol.
That smell that comes out the vents can be killed with Lysol.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 3
From: Boca Raton, FL
yea i've noticed that down here in FL im forced to use my a/c some days. I really hate a/c so i love opening the windows. and whenever its just too hot and i use the a/c...i get smells that arent from this world. i mean, one time i got a gas smell, but it transformed into like a toxic liquid smell, not that I know what that smells like, but that's my guess.
So i just sprayed some lysol and it's mainly better...but i may change out all the filters some day.
So i just sprayed some lysol and it's mainly better...but i may change out all the filters some day.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
Thanks everyone who replied. The smell isn't coming from the vents. I can smell it when I get out of the car after I've parked it in my garage (enclosed space). I've checked the coolant level and it looks fine. My car is a CPO so I'm going to take it the dealership but thought I would arm myself with as much info as I can get before tackling the guys at the dealership.
Thanks again! I'll keep everyone posted as to the dealerships diagnosis.
Thanks again! I'll keep everyone posted as to the dealerships diagnosis.
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Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
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From: Houston, Republic of Texas
It looks like you've covered the usual suspects. If it smells like coolant, in extremes of heat your radiator cap may be allowing "expansion" into the overflow or coolant recovery tank. This is a temporary condition - as the engine cools and the pressure drops, your coolant will be sucked back into the system from the tank, and the level will appear normal. You can check it by VERY CAREFULLY touching the overflow hose or the coolant recovery tank to see if it is hot (coolant will be near boiling temp) indicating your coolant is temporarily expanding into the tank.Expansion indicates the presence of air in the system, which can usually be confirmed by observing the tank when the engine is cold. There should be an inch or two of coolant in the tank at this point - locking air out of the system. If the tank is very low or dry, check and refill the tank to the indicated mark (hot or cold).
Top off with a 50-50 mix of recommended anti-freeze and water, as prescribed for your climate. In fact, this time of year a good drain and flush might be in order as preparation for the winter months ahead.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
It looks like you've covered the usual suspects. If it smells like coolant, in extremes of heat your radiator cap may be allowing "expansion" into the overflow or coolant recovery tank. This is a temporary condition - as the engine cools and the pressure drops, your coolant will be sucked back into the system from the tank, and the level will appear normal. You can check it by VERY CAREFULLY touching the overflow hose or the coolant recovery tank to see if it is hot (coolant will be near boiling temp) indicating your coolant is temporarily expanding into the tank.Expansion indicates the presence of air in the system, which can usually be confirmed by observing the tank when the engine is cold. There should be an inch or two of coolant in the tank at this point - locking air out of the system. If the tank is very low or dry, check and refill the tank to the indicated mark (hot or cold).
Top off with a 50-50 mix of recommended anti-freeze and water, as prescribed for your climate. In fact, this time of year a good drain and flush might be in order as preparation for the winter months ahead.
Regardless of that fact, that may be a reason the smell that I described earlier is a little bit stronger and more detectable since no water in the mix.
I actually should add that I also add a few bottles of Redline WaterWetter to the mix.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Lil4X is so right!
Also look for crud around the radiator cap and overlflow pipe to the aux reservoir. That would be the place where the vapors are being released and solids are being left behind.
Salim
Also look for crud around the radiator cap and overlflow pipe to the aux reservoir. That would be the place where the vapors are being released and solids are being left behind.
Salim
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Dec 8, 2008 01:28 PM
ac, air, antifreeze, automobile, bad, car, conditioner, conditioning, lexus, odor, on, pungent, smell, smells, vaporized, vent
