Horrible smell after turning A/C off

Jasonle

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2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van
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SmokeEater27

always makes for a great start up convo with the ladies

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Haboob

"Was that you?"

Mikes350z

I was under the assumption that we do not have in cabin air filters? I know my Z as an 09 model does not. But, perhaps I am grossly incorrect.

Per your problem sounds like mold in the evaporator.

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SouthArk370Z

The '09s did not come with the cabin filter but use the same air handler as several other Nissan/Infiniti models that do. Everything is there but the filter. I had my dealer install a filter in my '09.

There is a hole in the firewall through which you can see if the filter is installed (at least on '09s). Remove the battery cover and look behind and below the battery.

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Haboob

I think they added them post '09?

I would have to do some searching, but I believe that's what I read at one point.

Bking

Thanks for the replies.

Yes it does smell like mildew/mold. It's so intense it's suffocating. How do I remove the mold? I've tried leaving the A/C on for a long drive but I can smell it when I turn it off or start the car again.

Grindkiezer

Ha I would suggest looking for a rat, check under the battery cover area

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Bking

I'm pretty sure it's mold/mildew forming on the evaporator since the car was parked in a garage for a few months in Raincouver.

Can I spray some mold remover on the evaporator coils? If so, where can I locate the evaporator? Thanks.

BeemaaZ

I had this moldy (sometimes rubbery) smell in the past, I was able to get rid of it by turning on the heater for at least 10 minutes for about a week while driving to and from work. After that, I am setting the temp at 75 uncirculated (fresh air) every time the AC is on. The smell never came back.

Btw, thanks to Kenchan's great advise!

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7speed

I thought the smell was from sardines I stupidly ate in the car one time. But the description sounds right, I never smell anything with ac. Wonder if they can replace lines under warranty??

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binary0x01

Eating sardines in the car? oh man...

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Drex

fwiw, ive been told in the past to keep the fresh air setting on a much as possible to avoid mold growth. so i usually drive with the ac off and the fresh air setting on. occasionally, i will get a musty smell after it rains, but it will go away after driving the car for a bit. to avoid this, i put the air on recirculate mode if i am in the car when it is raining.

basically, damp & warm air will promote mold growth. so keep the fresh air coming in to dry everything out, or keep the ac on to keep it cold.

edit: i don't think it is possible to have outside air and the ac on at the same time.

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alvitdk

Outside air and A/C is always on if in upper air settings, otherwise your windows would fog up. In the defrost setting you are actually unable to set it in air re-circulation mode.

Just try it, put it in recirculation mode with A/C on, 1 minute later you will be blind

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Bking

The thing is I don't smell it when the A/C is off (fresh air mode), doesn't matter if it's raining or sunny. But as soon as I turn it off after using the A/C, I smell dirty moldy towels blasting in my face.