Rep Power: 276

Everytime i start up the A/C there is a weird nasty odor coiming from the a/c. its not only when it starts, everonce in a while it will come back. does anyone know what it could be

2004 EX Sedan, 35k

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 379

maybe someting die in your vents

 
Rep Power: 276

nah i dont think so, cuz it comes and goes

its not constant

 
Rep Power: 276

I just talked to one of my boys, he has an older civic, he said he had the same problem and that it was freon that was leaking? Does freon smell funky? i will probably take it to the dealer

 
Rep Power: 0

got the same problem.......

just need to "boost" it to high...and it will go away....

consider checking our ur cabin filter?

 
Rep Power: 337

how many miles do you have? As zen master said, check the cabin filter behind the glove box. When I checked mine at 25K miles, there was a lots of pollen, some dead bugs, leaves, dirt,.... it was black. haha

 
Rep Power: 447

change your cabin filters

 
Rep Power: 811

It's not the cabin filters. Mildew forms in the system when you use the a/c alot and keep it on recirculate mode. Use fresh air mode instead and even leave the fan **** open instead of closed/off when you shut off the car. For now, run the heater full blast for 5-10 mins to get rid of the mildew.

 
Rep Power: 347

filter chage after 30m dealership says

 
Rep Power: 452

exactly. The filters only reduce the amount of pollens, dirt, etc... from entering the air in the vehicle.

Most likely the mildew is building up in the evap drain that runs to the bottom of the car. That is where alot of condensation builds up. What you can do is go under the car and check to see if that drain is plugged or you can do a system cleaning with wynns AC cleaner, or however its called.

 
Rep Power: 288

what gearbox said
press the little button that uses outside air for a little. Sometimes its good to use the ac with outside air. That should get rid of the smell.

 
Rep Power: 0

i doubt it....

i've been trying to do that from a long time ago..

HOWEVER...one should probably realize that it never happened during winter.....that's when we use the heater all the time....LOL...

so...there's gotta be something with the AC....

 
Rep Power: 284

freon is oudorless.... i have it sometimes when my A/C is on to but not very often..

 
Rep Power: 0

not the freon....but the compressor or the tubes which colden the air......

or probably the vent....even though i doubt that....because, if it's about the vent, then it should be smelly EVERYTIME i use the AC..

however, it comes now-and-then......not regularly...

 
Rep Power: 0

after u turn on ur ac...before u turn off ur car, let the vents blow at full speed...not the a/c..juss the air...then turn it off so all the cold air gets out and mildew will not form...

 
Rep Power: 276

thanks everyone, i will everything but if it doesnt do **** i will just take it to the dealer,

i do have to change the cabin filters, i have 35k on my vic

 
Rep Power: 0

how much do the new cabin filters run? and where do i pull it out?

i've got my car in for service and they want to charge me $90 to change it and there's no way i'm shelling out that kind of cash for something so simple.

 
Rep Power: 811

take out, vacuum in each crease, and reinstall. free.

 
Rep Power: 307

what gear box said, just use the air from outside and not the recirculating air. My car has 50,000 miles on it and the only time i've ever have that problem is when im stuck behind and old car with all the smog coming from it. I close my vents so it recirculates the air. when i forget to open them up after i park, come back turn on the A/C and it smells. so leave ur recirculating air button off if u dont like it smelly.

 
Rep Power: 276

i tried it and it worked

havent smelled it since