New car, funny smell from the AC even after disinfectant and perfume bomb.
After switching on the AC, after a few minutes theres a funny smell that comes from the vents, it's not a strong smell but it's definitely there. Then the smell gets worse after switching the AC off and just using vents. It's been back to the service where they disinfected the AC the system and proceeded to let off a perfume bomb inside the car while the AC was on but still hasn't made a difference. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
My car has 1200 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to provide some insight. The smell you are getting may be a small amount of water that sits in the air conditioning system. After you shut it off, it will start to grow mold. As soon as you start the car and turn on the AC, you will have this water evaporated and blown into the passenger compartment. I recommend looking in the cowl area under wiper arms at bottom of windshield to see if there are any leaves or debris that may grow mold and have it removed and area cleaned. This is where your AC sucks in out side air. Make sure to use recirculating air so you recirculate the inside air and use less outside air.
If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Check your cabin air filter: Your car has a filter that removes dirt, dust, particulates, and odors from the air it`s pulling into the cabin (this is separate from your engine`s air filter). If you smell something foul, swap it out with a new one.
The Belt-Drive Motor Is Overheating
These systems have a rubber belt with them and can wear out over time and cause a burning rubber smell. Solution: These rubber bands will eventually need to be replaced, so if you notice a burning smell that also smells rubbery, it is likely time to do so.
There are different possibilities that could contribute to the plastic smell. The smell could be caused by a coolant leak, an electrical issue, the A/C compressor overheating, or simply an outside smell. Sometimes, plastic bags tend to get stuck to the exhaust system and melt.
Air conditioners generate condensate as they remove excess indoor humidity. This moisture drips into a drain pan, where mold and algae can form. This blocks the drain and can also generate an unpleasant odor when you run the AC for the first time.
Empty and clean the drain pan
If you have a mouldy smell coming from your air conditioner, the first thing to do is check your drain pan. If it`s full, empty the water out, and it`s also advisable to give it a quick clean with soap and water to remove any possible build-up of mould inside.
Compressor Burnout
A compressor can burn out from high temperatures that causes its components to fail. If a compressor burns out, the oil turns highly acidic and there will be an acidic smell. The burnout can be severe or mild, and the technician needs to access.
That`s completely normal. After sitting for months, dust will accumulate in your system and the AC just needs to burn everything off. If you`re still smelling something funny after a few days, it may be time to give your HVAC technician a call.
In short, a musty smell indicates bacterial growth build-up, which forms on the drain, evaporator coil, or in the drip pan or drain line of your AC. Your evaporator coil is a dark and humid location, so all sorts of mold and mildew can grow, which causes that unpleasant, musty smell.
If you notice a burning odor, turn off the air conditioner. Check around the house to see if there is another source responsible for the odor such as cigarette smoke. If not, keep the system off and call for AC repairs.
HFC-134a is a nonflammable, colorless gas or liquified gas with a faint ethereal odor. The odor, characterized as weak and nonirritating (Shulman and Sadove 1967), may not be noticeable for most individuals and thus will not serve as a warning property.
A burning odor from an HVAC unit is usually a sign of a faulty compressor, electrical wiring, or fan. These parts of the HVAC system are manufactured from an array of metals and chemicals. Therefore, exposure to such smells is potentially harmful to your health.
Getting a Moldy or Musty AC Smell? A stale and dingy smell is by far the most common and foul smell experienced from ACs. If your AC smells musty, the general cause is the accumulation of water in the drain pan or drip lines (or ducts in case of ducted systems), which can cause fungus or mildew to grow.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
New car, funny smell from the AC even after disinfectant and perfume bomb.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to provide some insight. The smell you are getting may be a small amount of water that sits in the air conditioning system. After you shut it off, it will start to grow mold. As soon as you start the car and turn on the AC, you will have this water evaporated and blown into the passenger compartment. I recommend looking in the cowl area under wiper arms at bottom of windshield to see if there are any leaves or debris that may grow mold and have it removed and area cleaned. This is where your AC sucks in out side air. Make sure to use recirculating air so you recirculate the inside air and use less outside air.
If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
2007 Nissan Altima motor mounts are new the motor vibrates a lot went the car is in drive with the ac on went I turn the ac off it
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that you have a vacuum leak or perhaps the transmission mounts are loose, as usually these symptoms are common with worn out motor mounts. When the AC is activated, it does create additional drag on the motor, which can make a small vibration even worse. It’s probably a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your location and try and replicate the symptoms you are describing by completing a car is shaking or vibrating inspection.
When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
We have a new battery, new alternator, new coil pk, new master fuse and the car still won’t hold power.
ANSWER : Hi there. The only thing that I could think possible is causing your problem is that something may not have been correctly installed while your son was completing this maintenance. However, if your engine was difficult to start before this service, it’s possible there are different components that are damaged that simply didn’t resolve the issue. The only way of knowing what is going on with your Trailblazer would be to have one of our mobile mechanics in your area come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.
My car cranks but will not start. I try to do fix the car myself. I put new battery, new alternator, and new ignition coils.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the spark plugs and see if they are worn or burned. If the plugs are good and they have a good spark, then the engine compression could be low causing a no start situation. If the spark plugs are not emitting a spark, then the crankshaft position sensor could have failed or disconnected. Check the crankshaft position sensor wiring harness and make sure that its plugged in. Check the sensor and make sure that its not broken or damaged. If you need further assistance with your engine not starting, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
I have a mini r53 s (supercharged) runs fine but when car stop and AC is on for a wile car overheat
ANSWER : Your question makes me think of a case I ran into a few years ago. The owner had modified his car but when he installed his fans, one of them was wired backwards so the fan ran in reverse. The two fans were fighting each other which was just like having no fan at all, so the car heated up while it was sitting still then it cooled off when moving. Check the rotation of both the fans before you check anything else. If that’s OK, you may be able to track down the problem with a non-contact thermometer, follow the course of the coolant with the beam. The radiator should be about 30 degrees or more cooler at the exit than at the entrance. If you need help with this, contact Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home to check out your overheating problem and let you know what can be done for it.
Car cabin smells of AC refrigerant at times and now the AC is not cooling after about a month of filling it .
ANSWER : If you have detected a refrigerant and oil mist in the cabin, then an evaporator "area" leak is likely. However, any time there is one leak, the entire system should be pressurized (whether pre or post repair) and tested for leaks in order to ensure trouble free operation. To request diagnosis and repair of your system, please use YourMechanic’s a/c diagnostic service page and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
when I turn my ac on my cars idle drop and stalls out and the ac is hot
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Although the pulley is still spinning, the compressor has likely failed. If it is not properly regulating pressure in the system, one of the first signs is a warm air conditioner. Considering yours is not cooling off, the pressures are not correct. If you believe the compressor is working correctly, you may want to check for a clogged line before replacing it. Keep in mind, a blocked line has likely put extra strain on the compressor, and may cause premature failure. For more help with testing or replacing the compressor, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
