What to Do When the Car Air Conditioner Occasionally Blows Out a Foul Smell?
2 Answers
A small amount of moisture and dust may adhere to the evaporator, which can lead to mold over time, resulting in an unpleasant odor. Here are the specific steps: 1. Clean the air conditioning filter: The air conditioning filter primarily filters the air. Air passes through the filter before reaching the evaporator, so the filter acts as the first line of defense. Besides filtering dust, the air conditioning filter also absorbs odors. Not replacing the filter for a long time can also cause odors. 2. Clean the air conditioning ducts: The air conditioning ducts, or ventilation ducts, can easily accumulate dust but are often overlooked. The odor from the air conditioner is also closely related to the usage environment. For example, turning on the external circulation in poor air quality conditions makes the air conditioner's own filtration system less efficient. 3. Pay attention to ventilation: You can choose an open, sunny environment to open the car doors and turn the external circulation to maximum to blow out the odor.
Last time my car's AC also had a musty smell, which popped up from time to time and was really annoying. This is usually because the AC system has high humidity, making it prone to mold or bacteria, especially when dust and water accumulate in the evaporator. I handled it simply: first, I replaced the AC filter, which is located behind the glove box—just open it up and check; if it's dirty, buy a new one and replace it, costing just a few dozen bucks. If the smell persists, it might be that the air ducts or evaporator need a deep clean. There are AC deodorizing sprays available online—turn on the AC at full blast while driving, spray it into the air intake, close the windows, and let it blow for about ten minutes to kill bacteria. Prevention is key: before reaching your destination, turn off the AC but keep the fan running to dry out the interior and reduce moisture. After trying this, the smell reduced significantly. I now change the filter monthly, and the problem rarely occurs. I suggest you try these small tricks—they’re cost-effective and work well.
