Why does the car air conditioner have an earthy smell?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why the car air conditioner has an earthy smell: 1. The earthy smell is actually a musty smell. 2. It comes from the air conditioner filter, the air conditioner evaporator, and the air conditioner ducts. 3. If the air conditioner filter has been used for a long time, the filter element will be filled with dust and mold, which will produce an odor. The reason why there is an odor in the air conditioner evaporator and ducts is that they were not cleaned in time during the change of seasons, leading to internal mold growth. Here are the solutions for the odor: 1. Replace the air conditioner filter with a new one. 2. Rinsing with water cannot solve the problem fundamentally; it can only remove dust but not disinfect. 3. The evaporator can be cleaned at a professional repair shop or a 4S store. 4. The ducts can be cleaned by purchasing a cabinet-type air conditioner cleaner with a small tube, connecting the small tube to the spray head, and evenly spraying it into the car's air conditioner vents. Wait for a few minutes, then turn on the air conditioner ventilation, set the air volume to the maximum, and blow for a while.
A few days ago, I suddenly smelled a musty earthy odor when I turned on the car's air conditioning while driving, which was quite unpleasant. After researching, I learned that this could be due to a dirty air filter clogged with dust or a damp evaporator growing mold. In my case, after several years of use without timely replacement, the filter had accumulated a lot of dirt in the air ducts, causing the earthy smell to blow out when the AC was turned on. The evaporator retains moisture when cooling, which can lead to bacterial growth and odd odors. Later, I replaced the filter and used a specialized cleaner to spray into the air intake, disinfecting the entire system. Now, there's no more odor. I recommend changing the air filter every six months and turning off the AC a few minutes before parking to let the fan dry out the interior, preventing such issues. Health-wise, inhaling this kind of air could trigger allergies, so don't delay fixing it.
