Getting rid of HVAC odor

BrandonT · 06-25-2011, 06:44 PM

Wondering if there is any mod or fix specific to the 370Z that can stop the odor of the HVAC? I've seen the sprays and threads on other cars but since mine only does it when you turn the AC off and about a minute later it smells for about 5 more minutes. So I assume there is a specific place building moisture (and mold) until you turn off the AC and air start flowing through this area?

1325 · 06-25-2011, 07:25 PM

Here's what I used and it helped to a degree: 1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner.

The odor is back though, especially after a day of sitting in the sun. I must've applied mine three months ago and may need another treatment.

ukmastermind · 06-25-2011, 07:57 PM

I installed a Cabin Filter with Baking Soda already in it and 80% of the smell went away.... still bugs me when I try to get "frwsh" air into the car

WhiskeyHotel · 06-26-2011, 10:22 AM

I just looked these up the other day. I have no first hand experience with them though.
Odor bombs

kenchan · 06-26-2011, 11:48 AM

I think the best way is to keep the ac on auto and let it dry itself out. Keep it in defrost setting for a few weeks so that the ac is forced to turn on constantly.

Also check to see if the evaporator hose is blocked under the car where condensation drips out.

On my Z there is no smell. I set the temp to 75-78F in the summer and 65-67F in colder months.

wilsonp · 06-26-2011, 02:06 PM

Turn the a/c off a minute or two before parking.

happytheman · 06-26-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyHotel

I just looked these up the other day. I have no first hand experience with them though.
Odor bombs

I cannot imagine setting a fogger off in my Z. You first! Report back with your results, k?

WhiskeyHotel · 06-26-2011, 08:44 PM

My thoughts exactly.

kenchan · 06-27-2011, 03:16 PM

lol yah, let's fix the source first, not just cover it up with some stink bomb.

cheshirecat · 06-27-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilsonp

Turn the a/c off a minute or two before parking.

The 350 had this same problem- the above suggestion ended up being the only fix that worked 100%.

kenchan · 06-27-2011, 03:50 PM

that's werd cause neither my 04 G35C nor 09 370Z have this problem..

no trick for me, just kept it in auto at the temps i noted. no smell.

cheshirecat · 06-27-2011, 04:55 PM

From what I experienced, it only happened on very hot days with the AC blasting. More condensation=more smell.

Luckily my 370 hasn't exhibited this yet. Maybe it's some kind of draining issue.

fuct · 06-27-2011, 04:58 PM

you need to keep the outside circulation on when you turn off the car. that lets the rest of the moisture evaporate. if not it collects and smells.....

Bonzo · 06-27-2011, 05:23 PM

My post may be totally useless for this car, I don't know. But I can tell you that it totally worked on my old Chevy Tahoe. I had a nasty moldy smelling air conditioner, and couldn't figure out how to fix it. One day I read an article by the car guys in the newspaper, and what they said to do totally fixed my problem, 100%. What I did was mix a 20% bleach 80% water solution and then poured it down in front of the windshield. As it turns out, the drain path for water going down in front of the window also rinses through the air conditioner water drain, which is where the smell was coming from.

Again, not sure if the Z is made this way, but it certainly worked on the Tahoe. Might be worth a try. Can't see how it would hurt.

kenchan · 06-27-2011, 06:21 PM

Bonzo, isn't that the mixture for fixing ejector pump stench in the basement?

06-25-2011, 06:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
BrandonT Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denver Posts: 169 Drives: 2009 370Z White Rep Power: 14	Getting rid of HVAC odor Wondering if there is any mod or fix specific to the 370Z that can stop the odor of the HVAC? I've seen the sprays and threads on other cars but since mine only does it when you turn the AC off and about a minute later it smells for about 5 more minutes. So I assume there is a specific place building moisture (and mold) until you turn off the AC and air start flowing through this area?

06-25-2011, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
ukmastermind Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 44 Drives: 09-370z-6spd-SPRT Rep Power: 14	stinks I installed a Cabin Filter with Baking Soda already in it and 80% of the smell went away.... still bugs me when I try to get "frwsh" air into the car

06-26-2011, 02:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 16	Turn the a/c off a minute or two before parking. __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

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06-25-2011, 07:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
1325 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 287 Drives: 10 370Z BLK 6M Rep Power: 14	Here's what I used and it helped to a degree: 1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner. The odor is back though, especially after a day of sitting in the sun. I must've applied mine three months ago and may need another treatment.

06-26-2011, 10:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
WhiskeyHotel Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 530 Drives: 2015 GT-R PW Premium Rep Power: 16	I just looked these up the other day. I have no first hand experience with them though. Odor bombs

06-26-2011, 11:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	I think the best way is to keep the ac on auto and let it dry itself out. Keep it in defrost setting for a few weeks so that the ac is forced to turn on constantly. Also check to see if the evaporator hose is blocked under the car where condensation drips out. On my Z there is no smell. I set the temp to 75-78F in the summer and 65-67F in colder months.

06-26-2011, 08:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
WhiskeyHotel Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 530 Drives: 2015 GT-R PW Premium Rep Power: 16	My thoughts exactly.

06-27-2011, 03:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	lol yah, let's fix the source first, not just cover it up with some stink bomb.

06-27-2011, 03:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	that's werd cause neither my 04 G35C nor 09 370Z have this problem.. no trick for me, just kept it in auto at the temps i noted. no smell.

06-27-2011, 04:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	From what I experienced, it only happened on very hot days with the AC blasting. More condensation=more smell. Luckily my 370 hasn't exhibited this yet. Maybe it's some kind of draining issue.

06-27-2011, 04:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	you need to keep the outside circulation on when you turn off the car. that lets the rest of the moisture evaporate. if not it collects and smells.....

06-27-2011, 05:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bonzo Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 690 Drives: Finally, a 370Z!!! Rep Power: 3371	My post may be totally useless for this car, I don't know. But I can tell you that it totally worked on my old Chevy Tahoe. I had a nasty moldy smelling air conditioner, and couldn't figure out how to fix it. One day I read an article by the car guys in the newspaper, and what they said to do totally fixed my problem, 100%. What I did was mix a 20% bleach 80% water solution and then poured it down in front of the windshield. As it turns out, the drain path for water going down in front of the window also rinses through the air conditioner water drain, which is where the smell was coming from. Again, not sure if the Z is made this way, but it certainly worked on the Tahoe. Might be worth a try. Can't see how it would hurt.

06-27-2011, 06:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Bonzo, isn't that the mixture for fixing ejector pump stench in the basement?