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bad smell from AC vents

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by zeeman, Oct 9, 2008.

  1. zeeman

    zeeman Member

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    after car was sitting for a while and I get in the car and turn the AC on I get bad moldy smell. the smell used to go away but now it dimimishes after minute or two but it is still there.
    yap, it is getting worse lately.

    my first thought was the AC drain, but maybe i need to check the cabin air filter?


    can anyone point me in the direction of how to find AC drain, and how to inspect any other items related to AC bad smell?

    car is less than 8 months old, mileage is arond 7500 and car lives in Southern California with a very dry climate.

    TIA
     
    #1 zeeman, Oct 9, 2008
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Do you park under trees? Debris can accumulate in the air intake areas. To clean you have to remove wiper arms and the large black plastic plate under them. Even mice can get in the car through these openings, and one fix is to put metal mesh over them.

    To get to the cabin filter, empty the lower glove box, press the sides in and lower it a bit, unhook the dampener (right side of box door) and remove the door. The cabin filter is in the plenum behind the box door. You can see the access door to it now.
     
    #2 David Beale, Oct 9, 2008
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The drain is going to be under the car on the passenger side, near the firewall.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Oct 9, 2008
  4. zeeman

    zeeman Member

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    yes, i do park under trees, during my lunch hour I get in the treeshade and read something. I noticed that there is some debree from the trees falling on my windshield. This could be it.
    i'll try that



    i guess i need to jack up the car for this?

    thank you for the tips
     
    #4 zeeman, Oct 9, 2008
  5. Bear68

    Bear68 Member

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    For the drain, look inside on the passneger floor pull the carpet back and you should see the tube going into the floor near the center of the car.
     
    #5 Bear68, Oct 9, 2008
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I doubt it's the drain. It's most probably leaves in the cavity under the plastic (under the wiper arms). The leaf debris will get thick enough to plug the water drains for those cavities after awhile, and if water accumulates there it becomes obvious what's wrong.

    If it's mice, they tend to nest in the plenum, and you should see evidence if you remove the cabin filter.
     
    #6 David Beale, Oct 9, 2008
  7. bobonlsd

    bobonlsd New Member

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    This is a fairly well-known (on PriusChat at least) issue that is caused by mold growing in the vents. Do a search for "mold". I have a problem with this myself -- 2008 Package 2.
     
    #7 bobonlsd, Oct 14, 2008
  8. zeeman

    zeeman Member

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    well, i pulled the carpet back and inspected the drain hose and it seems clear.
    i pulled out the cabin air filter and i found couple of leaves on top of it.

    it must be the water drains are plugged.
    do i have to remove wiper arms to remove plastic covering?

    are there 2 drains, one on each side or is there a single drain?

    why does the smell come inside the car when AC is on, is AC system pulling the air from those plenums?
     
    #8 zeeman, Oct 17, 2008
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Yes, you have to pull the wiper arms (see how the plastic goes over the wiper arm shafts?). You can find pictures of the fix on this site (do a search) and over on hobbit's site (Prius heat-efficiency mods).

    Yes, the air system, heating and cooling, does draw air through those plenums when it's not on recirc.

    Ask your dealer if he can clean it out for you under warranty. Never hurts to ask. ;)
     
    #9 David Beale, Oct 17, 2008
  10. zeeman

    zeeman Member

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    well, i pulled off wiper arms, removed the plastic cover and ... did not find any debree.
    well, i ran water hose on either end of drain and then put it all together, then i drove it to a store, some 15 miles away.
    on the way there the smell was comming back. when i drove the car back from the store the smell was so bad that i had to pen the window and turn the AC off.

    i just can't figure it out :( the AC drain seems to work fine as i have seen a little puddle of water below the AC drain hose.

    the smell gets worse after car is driven longer so i think there may be some alien life form growing around my evaporator core.
    i am thinking the more AC is on, more moist will evaporator core get and if any alien life is present there -- it may begin to stink more.
    i cannot see anything else being a problem.


    anyways, i will take the car to the dealer on Monday.
    this is bit over my head

    thanks for the link, i will read the article now
     
    #10 zeeman, Oct 18, 2008
  11. zeeman

    zeeman Member

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    thanks for pointing me out in right direction

    i am reading the thread and it sure sounds like mold problem .. on a 6 months old car?!!
     
    #11 zeeman, Oct 19, 2008
  12. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

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    I live in Central Florida and my air is always on. I might have turned it off once maybe. I almost always use the recirculating option. If you use the fresh air sometimes you can dry out the AC system a bit. I do that when I think of it and it takes care of the causes of the mold smell.
     
    #12 Sheepdog, Oct 20, 2008
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