How to Solve the Problem of Foul Odor When Turning on the Car's Air Conditioning?
4 Answers
To address the foul odor when turning on the car's air conditioning, start the car, turn on the air conditioning, switch to the external circulation mode, spray a dedicated air conditioning cleaner towards the blower, close the windows and doors, switch from external to internal circulation, and let the air conditioning run for a few minutes. The foul odor when turning on the car's air conditioning may be caused by dirty air conditioning ventilation ducts or a dirty air filter. Prolonged use of the air conditioning evaporator can also lead to foul odors due to dampness and mold. It is recommended that drivers turn off the air conditioning five minutes before reaching their destination and switch to natural air. This allows the temperature inside the air conditioning ducts to rise before parking, restoring it to normal temperature. This prevents condensation due to temperature differences after parking, keeping the air conditioning ducts dry and preventing the growth of mold and fungi. Regularly replace the air filter. A dirty filter not only fails to perform its original function but also causes secondary pollution to the air entering the car. To completely eliminate odors inside the car, it is essential to address the source. Under normal conditions, an original air filter has a lifespan of one year or 30,000 kilometers. If the car is frequently driven in areas with poor air quality, the replacement cycle of the filter should be shortened accordingly.
After driving for so many years, I've encountered the issue of foul-smelling cold air several times, mainly caused by accumulated dust and mold in the air conditioning system. When the AC is turned on, that musty odor rushes out, which is particularly unpleasant. To solve this, first check the cabin air filter. If it's been used for a long time and turned black, replace it with a new one immediately. Then clean the air conditioning ducts by spraying a specialized AC cleaner into the air intake and running the blower for about ten minutes to circulate the cleaner. If you can't handle it yourself, take it to a professional auto repair shop for steam cleaning of the evaporator, which yields better results. Remember to turn off the AC five minutes before parking to allow the fan to dry the condensation, reducing mold growth. Following these steps should basically eliminate the odor.
Cold air odor is usually caused by bacterial growth in the air conditioning ducts, especially during humid seasons. I recommend a three-step approach: First, spend a few dozen dollars to replace the AC filter, which is low-cost and fast-acting. If the odor persists, purchase a foam AC cleaner and apply it yourself by starting the vehicle, setting it to maximum fan speed with external circulation, and spraying the foam into the air intake in the engine compartment. After cleaning, ventilate the car with doors open for half an hour. Regularly using high-temperature air with internal circulation can also prevent mold. Remember to wear gloves and a mask for protection when dealing with odors.
The core issue of foul odors from the AC is mold growth in the evaporator and ducts. Simply replacing the filter only partially alleviates the problem; a thorough cleaning of the evaporator is essential. A professional dismantling and cleaning at an auto repair shop costs around 300 yuan but effectively eliminates mold. Daily driving habits also matter: avoid setting the AC temperature too low in summer, and turn off the AC before parking to dry the ducts with natural airflow. I've tried placing activated charcoal packets between the filter layers, which also helps absorb odors. Performing a simple cleaning during seasonal changes each year can prevent odor buildup.
