Description: Here I will discuss Top 6 reason why air conditioner smells musty fix it. If you’ve ever turned on your car’s air conditioning switch and been greeted by an unpleasant odor, you’re not alone.
Common Reasons Your Car Aircon Smells
Many drivers find themselves asking, “Why does my car AC smell bad?” or “Why does my car aircon smell musty?” The good news is—there’s usually a simple explanation and solution I will provide, what to do for this situation, let’s break down the topic.
1. Mold or Mildew Growth
This is growing on your car’s evaporator cooling coil inside very slowly due to moisture. That’s a main reason behind the problems, while you’re on the switch, suddenly this smell comes and hits your nose directly.
2. Dirty Cabin Air Filter
If you feel that the air flow is less and some dusty air is coming from the AC vent while you are on the AC switch, that means the cabin air filter is clogged and should be replaced. A dirty cabin filter is also harmful to us because the cabin’s cold and hot air at all times, which can cause fungi or bacteria.
3. Bacteria in the Vents
Bacteria and fungi are mainly located inside the air vent, especially in warm weather. While you are on the AC, you feel the smell and few seconds you feel not well. You can clean the AC vent periodically while going for service or maintenance, and if possible, you can clean it with air pressure.
4. Leaking Refrigerant
Sometimes refrigerant leak is in the evaporator assembly, and a chemical or sweet smell comes into the cabin. This is a serious issue; you want to go professional auto AC centre. Leaking refrigerant but you delay, these smells are very harmful to the human body.
5. Organic Debris or Dead Animals
Leaves and vegetables, or even small animals, can get into the car’s air conditioning system on the recirculation mode flap side. If something organic is decomposing in the vents or near the intake, you’ll definitely smell it. hot, atmospheric area, these types of animals do not come, cold areas and long parking areas are coming these small animals.
How to Fix a Bad-Smelling Car AC
Replace the Cabin Air Filter
This is the cheapest item in the AC system for smell-related or air flow-related components. If this one has clogged, replace it if not available with the same part number or size, you can clean it by air properly.
Use an AC Cleaning Spray
Nowadays are many disinfectant sprays designed specifically for car AC evaporator cleaning systems. These kill mold and bacteria in the vents with the evaporator inside fins and improve the smell and air quality.
Get a Professional AC Cleaning
If the smell is coming strong, you want to go car AC service centre and want to be clean of mold and bacteria, or fungi, and remove the evaporator and clean it with water or some AC combo cleaner chemical spray coming in the market, you can use, it’s cheap price and effective.
Check for Leaks or Blockages
A professional can check the AC system have any leakage or any blockage, and he will make a quotation as per the technician’s recommended items that should be replaced. If have is any blockage in the refrigerant line should be cleaned properly. The parts can be cleaned with gasoline for cleaning purposes.
6 Tips to Prevent Car AC Odors
1) Run the blower fan (without AC) for a few minutes before shutting down the engine. This helps dry out moisture that leads to mold.
2) If your car remote starts better 5 minutes before you can go start the car and down all the power window glass.
3) Change your cabin air filter periodically. Every 12,000 to 15,000 miles is a good rule of thumb.
4) Keep the interior clean and dry. Avoid leaving food or wet items inside the cabin, if possible, to ensure a clean interior at the professional car care centre.
5) Use AC disinfectant sprays occasionally, especially in humid climates. It cleans the AC evaporator and comes with a good smell.
6) Always park the car under the shed, because under the shed car interior temp a little lower compared to direct sunlight.
FAQ Air conditioner smells musty
Q) Why does my car aircon smell like wet dog?
A) Because sometimes the air conditioner recirculates flap side, some small animals come inside the evaporator unit and also eat some leaves or vegetables. After disposing of this item, such types of smell that come inside the cabin.
Q) Car AC smells bad when first turned on?
A) The main reason is evaporator inside has bacteria and fungi due to cold and hot temperature variation, you should clean the evaporator and the cabin filter.
Q) How to remove smell from car AC?
A) An easy way is you can start the car without AC, only the blower on at full speed, and all the power windows down few seconds later, all smells go away automatically.
Q) Why does my car air conditioner smell like chemicals?
A) That’s is very serious concern. Your car’s evaporator has some leakage due to chemical and sweet smell coming from the freon gas. You want to go professional AC repair shop and check properly.
Q) Why does my car aircon smell like poop?
A) Some time after long parking such type of smell coming because rat coming in your car and doing poop, eating leaves that is a main reason such type of smell.