Funky A/C smell

Skeeterbop

So recently (in the last week or so) i've notice an odd smell coming from the a/+. It almost smells a bit like mildew but I can't figure out why. It hasn't rained at all and the only water it has been when I washed it, but the smell came from before I washed it. Any ideas?

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Srenity: "Yeah no rest needed to spread the love when your 20 that's for sure...."

XwChriswX

How many miles? Your cabin filter might need replacing...

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

gurneyeagle

That would be the first thing I'd do Skeeter.

Where's the pictures from the road trip?

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Waiting on the Z35! SOLD - 2011 Gun Metallic Touring 7AT w Sports Pkg & Nav, Nismo Bumper and Rims, RC Grille, RC Brake Ducts, H&R Spacers, Painted Door Hdls, GTR Start Button, Nav By-Pass, EVO R Fog Light, CF Ducktail, CF Interior Trim

Skeeterbop

I'll have to check that then. Still waiting to get internet in the baarracks

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Srenity: "Yeah no rest needed to spread the love when your 20 that's for sure...."

sstevens7

Moisture is building up in the air filter when you run the a/c and if you just shut your car off that moisture sits in the filter accumulating bacteria causing the smell. I think this has been discussed on here before. What people say to do is about 5 minutes before you reach your destination turn the a/c off and run the heater to dry out the filter so it doesn't have the opportunity to start to smell.

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"Anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?" - George Carlin / 2010 RED 370Z Touring w/SPORT / Volk GT-S / Stillen G3 Intake / GTM HD oil cooler / F.I. CBE w/18" RES #227 / F.I. HFC's / UpRev Tune / Swift springs / Apline INA-W910

gurneyeagle

Obviously the people suggesting that don't live in the Southwest or Texas!

__________________
Waiting on the Z35! SOLD - 2011 Gun Metallic Touring 7AT w Sports Pkg & Nav, Nismo Bumper and Rims, RC Grille, RC Brake Ducts, H&R Spacers, Painted Door Hdls, GTR Start Button, Nav By-Pass, EVO R Fog Light, CF Ducktail, CF Interior Trim

Skeeterbop

I've only got about 12000 miles atm. How hard would this be to do on my own?

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Srenity: "Yeah no rest needed to spread the love when your 20 that's for sure...."

Trips

Here's a DiY

DIY: Adding In-Cabin air filter to the 370Z

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TypeOne

I was under the impression that the Z didn't come with a cabin filter?

I also have the weird smell coming from the vents when I turn the AC on. I know it wasn't me because my car still smells new... but the AC is funky for sure.

djpathfinder

I thought the 09's didn't have an air filter, but 2010+ do...I could be wrong though.

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2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black
2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

WhiskeyHotel

They should put this on the window sticker of 350's and 370's: Funky HVAC smell......no charge.

They did add an "in cabin" air filter to later models, but the filter really doesn't solve the mildew problem that causes the smell - it seems to happen regardless. Running the heater to evaporate the moisture does work if you can remember to do it - and you can stand the heat.

Leagues of Z drivers have battled this demon with various combinations of chemicals, with some success, but never permanently. We keep trying, though.

fuct

when you turn off the engine make sure the vent is left open to the outside so that moisture can evaporate.

gourneyeagle- being humid in texas slows down the evaporation..... sux i know :\

XwChriswX

Yeah, your filter probably needs replacing. I recommend getting one of the Fram filters with the activated carbon. Does a much better job of controlling odors.

Correct, 09's did not, but 10's and up did.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

TypeOne

Does the OEM nissan filter for the 10' fit into the 09?

WhiskeyHotel

Yes, but there are better ones.