strange odor from A/C

Im bringing me outlander in for that recall notice some time next week, but I thought I'd post here if anybody had a solution before I went.

I was just wondering, does anybody get a real strange and terrible odor when ever they turn on the A/C? A friend of mine told me its probably the freon, but this is a horrible stench. I know winter is comming and I wont be using it as much, but when I quick defog with the A/C I know that stench will be waiting. Any thoughts? Should I just change filter? Is there away to flush out and redo the freon?

Its not freon.
Its mold and mildew on the filter.
Just spend the $10 -$20 and change it , its easy and your problem of stinky car will be GONE!

good, thanks tuner

The new filter should do the trick. I get a bad smell when I use the A/C after a long winter, but it goes away soon after.

i, had em' bad odor b-4. i, switched to aftermarket air sys. better and washable.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tuner automotive

Its not freon.
Its mold and mildew on the filter.
Just spend the $10 -$20 and change it , its easy and your problem of stinky car will be GONE!

Is this the intake filter or the cabin filter or what? I just got this outtie in July and I too am getting this funky smell when I turn on the A/C. Thanks.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jewelz

quote:

ORIGINAL: tuner automotive

Its not freon.
Its mold and mildew on the filter.
Just spend the $10 -$20 and change it , its easy and your problem of stinky car will be GONE!

Is this the intake filter or the cabin filter or what? I just got this outtie in July and I too am getting this funky smell when I turn on the A/C. Thanks.

its from the intake box, it will be wise to get rid of your box and switch to open air intake.

Change both....thae cabin filter can get really nasty............!

Thanks y'all.

ps/ besides the hp gain, whats the benefits of switching to an open intake system? I'm more concerned about fuel economy than anything else. Plus anything that might void warrenty is a no go for me.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jewelz

Thanks y'all.

ps/ besides the hp gain, whats the benefits of switching to an open intake system? I'm more concerned about fuel economy than anything else. Plus anything that might void warrenty is a no go for me.

more performance....fuel economy is a no-go, some's good..some's bad...i, mean its air intake, pound more air and ya'll pounding more fuel. for warranty, so far system for the outtie is not regulated yet. b-sides theres only 1-2 company's that makes the intake system.( w/ the exception of K&N drop-inn filter) still consider not legal yet.( yeah ryyte...heard em' 8 yrs. ago) so, that means system (air, aftermarket) will void warranty. but who cares??? "RAIDER" is coming out!!!

I've had about the same gas mileage.........

quote:

ORIGINAL: JMC

I've had about the same gas mileage.........

well thats good, mine aint doin good...esp. the gas price went up again. ( common problems w/ modifications....money and fuel.)

What's the gas at by you dood?

quote:

ORIGINAL: JMC

What's the gas at by you dood?

2.86 reg. unleaded ....so, unfair!!!

ouch

2.70 for regular here

dude...cant cruise anymore, have to stay home and wait.

Thats not that bad guys, considering I pay $1.12/L! SO times that by 3.86 and you get $4.32/gal!

Wow...that's just crazy! Something better be done to solve this gas problem.

ok, after waiting 3 months from time of filter change I learned:

A) its not the filters

B) theres something wrong with the heating/cooling door.

what I mean is, my mechanic told me that the door that switches hot air flow and cold air flow is not shutting all the way. cold air (esp with air condition on) has some mostiure. the hot air that escapes heats up the mostiure and make the bad smell. he said hes seen it happen in a few gallantes and eclipses.

now although he's a petty good general mitsu mechanic, he couldnt do anything for me on this one (as i think it goes a little too deep into the works).

anyways should symptoms persists, see your dealer.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Punisher

ok, after waiting 3 months from time of filter change I learned:

A) its not the filters

B) theres something wrong with the heating/cooling door.

what I mean is, my mechanic told me that the door that switches hot air flow and cold air flow is not shutting all the way. cold air (esp with air condition on) has some mostiure. the hot air that escapes heats up the mostiure and make the bad smell. he said hes seen it happen in a few gallantes and eclipses.

now although he's a petty good general mitsu mechanic, he couldnt do anything for me on this one (as i think it goes a little too deep into the works).

anyways should symptoms persists, see your dealer.

good to go....

It's funny you say that. I too get a nasty odour when I turn on the A/C. Actually I just ordered a new cabin air filter for the stealership. $60CDN can you believe that... Initially I used fabreze anti-Baterial but the odour came back after awhile. I think it's mould. I heard too much mould exposure is bad for you. It can cause everything from ear infections to cold symptoms. Sorry to be such a downer guys, but it's probably true. If you change your Cabin Filter I hear Fram makes one for cheap. OEM part is pricy.

yup. its really bad and I couldnt figure out what was going on. cold winter means defog use which = a/c on...

and its one of those problems where if you take it to the dealers its not there, but the moment you pull off the service bay its there again

anyway, the fix is worth the price. no one needs to suffer through that nasty smell

lolz...once you get done using your a.c., try to leave at least the fan on for couple of minutes. this will flush all freon residue out of your a.c. chambers.

Just get one of those air fresh clips...and put it on the vent.

Roll down the windows... when its really cold the smell wont be as bad as frezzing your ass off.