Odor from Vent

[TXWolf]

Just wondering if anybody else is having problems with odors coming from their airconditioning systems when running the vent?

I purchased my PT Cruiser this past February, and have noticed the strange smell early on (smells a lot like urine). When I talked to the Service Tech at my Chrysler dealer today, he told me that it is a known problem. Evidently, the water doesn't evaporate from the airconditioning system properly, and mold and bacteria grow! This causes the odors when the vent is running!

Their solution ... run the car with the heater on full blast for about 30 minutes, and then they can spray a can of mold/bacteria killer into the system to destroy anything growing in there, at this time. But guess what ... I'm going to have to keep doing this FOREVER, as there is no recall on the airconditioning system because of this!

Please let me know if anybody else has this problem, and what you're doing about it.

Thanx,
TXWolf

[skylight]

check out http://www.ptdoityourself.net/ptfaq3b.html see Air Conditioner Odors. hope this helps.



__
my cruiser pics here:
http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/cruiser.html

[pingber]

I don't have that problem with my Cruiser yet, but I'm expecting it ... I've got that identical problem with both of my other Chrysler products (2 mini-vans) and my friend has the same problem with his Dakota truck ... I'll tell you though, the mold/bacteria killer doesn't work too well ... what seems to work for me somewhat is that when I return home from a trip where I used the A/C, I kill the A/C and just run the fan on high and the vent on OPEN to the outside air.. that seems to keep things under control for a while.

Chrysler really needs to deal with this problem ... its been ongoing for years and years.

[CranTerri]

I've had the same problem and it just keeps on coming back. This shoud be fixed by Chrysler as a recall.

[Sci-Fi]

Many cars, especially the smaller cars, have that mold problem. Installing a filter over the outside air vent as well as checking the drain hose to make use it is not clogged can help. Another tip is to turn off your air conditioning a few minutes before you stop/park and just use the fan at the high setting. This will help dry out the housing and lessen the conditions that promote mold growth.

2002 Almond Pearl Limited Edition 27K




Edited by - Sci-Fi on 07/06/2002 09:57:05

[TXWolf]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in this!

Living in Texas, I'm not looking forward to running the vent, as opposed to the AC for more than a few minutes! But if it gets rid of the odor, it's a sacrifice that I'll have to make!

Hopefully the dealership can take care of the problem up to this point, and then my wife and I can do the preventive maintenance of trying to keep it from happening as often!

Thanks again!

TXWolf<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[

[TXWolf]

Well, it looks like I'm heading back to the dealer again tomorrow.
They supposedly took care of the problem last week ... but it's back again today. This is unacceptable in a new car. I've run the vent (with fresh air) like was mentioned, but the "solution" only lasted a week.

As much as we love this car, if they can't fix it right this time, I guess we're gonna have to get something else that doesn't have this "common problem" (this is what the Service Tech told me).

Sheesh ... I really love this car ....

[

[Sci-Fi]

Most likely, they will have to remove and clean the evaporator core to properly remove the mold smell, since the disinfectant spray didn't solve the problem. May want to ask them to install the optional interior air filtration system, part #82206886. From the picture below, it is the filter at the top. Cost is about $15 for the part.



Here is a do it yourself method from AllPar to solve the smell problem:

David Ta wrote: I am convinced the evaporator design having horizontal fins is the root cause of the AC musty/stench smell on first startup, which will fade out in a good few minutes. ... So, the real cure is to install an OEM evaporator having vertical fins to drain off the condensation, IF there is such one in the aftermarket for any model having this AC smell problem. Or you can modify your car to allow water shedding off easily. An old colleague in the office confirmed that he got this problem with all his recent cars, including Chevy, Ford, Chrysler. Every year, he mixes water and baking soda and poured it into the drain area next to the firewall, rinsing it later with a water hose.



2002 Almond Pearl Limited Edition 27K


Edited by - Sci-Fi on 07/06/2002 09:53:07

[PT_hero]

I just took my 2002 in for this problem. The odor was unbearable--it smelled like body odor! My dealer (Ingram Park Chrysler in San Antonio, TX) told me they "cleaned the evaporator coils and applied a mildew-resistant coating". However, just a week later the odor returned. I hate it. It's ruining my love affair with my Cruiser... Life stinks...no pun intended.

-PT_hero
SA, TX

[yeehaw]

I didn't realize the odor problem was so common! I've got it too, although it isn't too bad. I'm wondering if the lovely weather of Texas has anything to do with it. I noticed that PThero and TXWolf are in TX, and so am I. I know in Waco we have a ridiculous humidity issue. Who thought I'd come to Texas and experience this kind of weather? Anywho, TXWolf, I hope you start getting a better a/c experience! It must be REALLY bad if you're thinking of getting a different car.