When I start my car and turn on the vents, the air that comes out smells bad.
We have removed the AC filter behind the glove box and cleaned it, washed the undercarriage at the car wash, and hosed under the hood and let it dry in the sun.
So far, nothing has worked.
Not sure what it smells like, but I don't think it's mold or I would be getting sick from it.
Anyone dealt with this or have any idea what to do?
Thanks for any suggestions, it's driving me crazy.
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
I know exactly what you talking about.
We have tried a couple of things that have helped....
When you get home, crank the heat on high and let it run a few minutes to dry out the vents.
I also leave the fan turned on when I turn the car off to keep the vents open.
The other thing we have done that helps a lot, but be careful if your chemically sensitive....
on the outside of the car at the bottom of the windshield there is an air intake. Turn the car on, turn the fan on high and spray lysol in the outside air vent.
It will get sucked through the vents and kill mold/bacteria in the vents.
NOTE....do NOT sit in the car while doing this. We've had to run it for about 20 minutes while spraying to get rid of the smell.
I am very chemically sensitive and have to let the car air out a day or so before I drive it again.
One of our cars has a factory defect to where the condensation doesn't drain properly and the dealer had to finally install a blower motor inside the vents.
It helped at first, but I can still smell it, so I do the above.
[ 05-15-2012, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: momintexas ]
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Thank you mom,
That's lots of good info! Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Sure! Hope they help some!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Lysol may help kill some germs but it can be terrible for anyone with MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) and they may not be able to ride in the car for months - or longer.
Now, some like momintexas may have to wait just a full day or two before getting into the car - but I rode in a friend's car a couple months after she did a Lysol treatment and I became very ill, for weeks.
At other times, other locations, Lysol (even though I was not there when it was sprayed) has triggered asthma attacks and seizures, in my case, such as in others' restrooms.
Those with MCS can have varying levels of reactions.
There are some citrus based products that may be better for those with MCS but they should not be at all synthetic in nature but
from real orange, lemon &/or grapefruit skin/oils.
For some reason, I think it may be best to avoid orange oil in a car, just in case any air of sweetness might attract unwanted critters. Just my hunch, though.
Some may think of using Thieves' oil but that also makes me rather ill. Not all those with MCS can "do" citrus but the citrus oils seem to be the least problematic approach and are very powerful against molds and germs.
Still, the person with MCS should not be the person to clear out the car vents. Whoever does should wear a good mask to prevent fine DUST and debris from flying into their mouth and nose. Then dispose of that mask. Best not to reuse them.
UV LIGHT, STEAM? I wonder if either of these might be of help? I can see such a thing in my mind but don't know if such "systems" actually exist or would be possible.
Do check for defects in the system that may allow leaks but if they repair it, try first to find SAFE GLUEs, etc. The wrong kind of glue can be the end of the road for someone with MCS. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
CIIN - Chemical Injury Information Network -
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Keebler,
Thanks for the suggestions and the link!
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
If it has anything to do with mold, someone told me ozone blaster works!
I'd love to ozone blast my car but too expensive.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Yes, ozone kills just about everything.
You are right about it being expensive tho'.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Wonder if there are any places that do this to your car or house for you so you don't have to buy the blaster/generator.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Tickled,
Not sure. I will google and see. Thanks.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Did a quick search and there are auto detailing places that do this. I don't know where you live though. I may have this done to my car!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
There are some places here that do it too - something to think about.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Blasting lysol through the air intake vents works great! My car developed this stinky problem a couple years ago. I knew it was mold because I got a headache every time I drove my car. Lysol took care of it and I've had no problem since.
After spraying the intake, I kept the windows down and ran the car vents for awhile to make sure the lysol and stink smell were all cleared out. I hate the smell of lysol (and any fake air freshener type stuff).
Give it a try, it only costs a couple bucks and you should be able to fix the problem yourself!
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
probably not here,,,but if smell is accompanied by a filmy gunky stuff on windshield,,,your heater core could be seeping antifreeze
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