How to Deal with Foul Odor in Lancer Air Conditioning?
3 Answers
Regularly clean and replace the air conditioning filter. Other methods are as follows: 1. Buy two lemons and place them in the car. For faster results, slice the lemons and place a few slices at the air vents, then turn on the cold air. Soon, the air inside the car will become fresh and fragrant. 2. Used honeycomb coal: Place honeycomb coal in the car, but make sure it has been burned before, as it is particularly effective. It’s best to use intact honeycomb coal, following the principle of adsorption. 3. The odor in a new car is often a sign of air pollution inside the vehicle, possibly releasing harmful substances like formaldehyde and benzene. When the car is not in use, place a small bucket of water with some vinegar inside the car. Repeat this several times, and the odor will gradually disappear. The reason is: water can adsorb formaldehyde, while vinegar helps stabilize it. 4. Onions: Slice a few onions, place them in a basin of water, stir, and then leave them in a newly renovated room to remove odors. This method can be slightly adapted for use in cars. Cut a whole onion into four pieces and place them in the car. 5. Use the air conditioning less frequently and often open the car windows to allow for better ventilation, ensuring fresh air circulation inside the car.
My Lancer always gives off a musty smell when the AC is on. After some research, I found that the odor mainly comes from mold in the evaporator and air ducts. Last time I tried removing the AC filter myself, the smell was like stinky tofu. I recommend first replacing the filter—it only costs a few dozen yuan. Then use an AC cleaner to spray foam into the air intake, remembering to set the system to maximum fan speed with external circulation for 10 minutes. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to dismantle the dashboard to clean the evaporator, which is a job for professionals. It’s also important to turn off the AC a few minutes before parking to let the fan dry out any moisture.
I've learned a hard lesson about AC odors. Last time after a long drive, the sour smell from the AC was unbearable. The main causes are mold growth from condensed water residue or rodents nesting in the air ducts. For DIY solutions, you can buy foam cleaners with long tubes, remove the glove compartment to access the air intake, and focus on cleaning the evaporator surface. After cleaning, spray some disinfectant. I make it a habit to replace the cabin air filter with seasonal changes and alternate between recirculation and fresh air modes for ventilation, which basically keeps odors under control.
