Where Should You Clean When There's a Smell in the Car Air Conditioning?
2 Answers
Especially in older car models, the air conditioning system tends to develop various odors. For car air conditioning odors, common solutions include cleaning the air conditioning ducts, including the evaporator, or using products like air fresheners or perfumes to mask the smell. Here are more related details: 1. Cleaning the evaporator: The principle is similar to cleaning the air conditioning ducts, but cleaning the evaporator is slightly more complicated. Since the air conditioning evaporator is usually located between the engine and the vehicle's dashboard, removing it for cleaning is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, the market currently commonly uses endoscopes and high-pressure nozzles to reach inside the evaporator for cleaning, which saves time and allows observation of the evaporator's internal cleanliness. 2. Cleaning the air conditioning radiator ducts: This location is not easy to clean. You can pour in air conditioning cleaner, then start the car air conditioning at maximum fan speed to allow the cleaner to enter the inner walls of the ducts. This process lasts for half an hour, and the dirt inside the ducts will flow out from the drain pipe. If the cleaning effect is not satisfactory, you can try cleaning multiple times.
When there's a strange odor from the car AC, I usually consider cleaning several key components: the evaporator, cabin air filter, and ventilation ducts. The evaporator is a small heat exchanger in the AC system that tends to accumulate moisture during operation. If it doesn't dry properly, it can develop mold, causing that musty smell. The filter is located behind the glove compartment in front of the passenger seat—pull it out to check. If it's clogged with dust and bacteria, it's time for a replacement (these are inexpensive and easy to change yourself). Ventilation ducts include the air vents and air channels, which may accumulate dust mites. You can wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth or clean them with a vacuum. I recommend getting a professional deep cleaning for the evaporator—they have spray tools that can thoroughly disinfect it. For routine maintenance, turn off the AC but keep the blower on high for 3-5 minutes before shutting down the system to allow moisture to evaporate. Remember to replace the filter regularly, such as every six months or 10,000 kilometers, to prevent most odor issues. Overall, cleaning these parts ensures proper AC function and keeps the cabin air fresh and healthy.