Smell from aircon

[Hybrid21]

Over the last week or so I've noticed a smell from the aircon initially after start up. It disappears after a few minutes.

I've also noticed that there does not seem to any water dripping out of the tube underneath the car, could the tube be blocked ?

Any comments/suggestions appreciated.

[flash22]

Check the cabin filter, more that likely it has not been touched

it will take a good 10-15 min's to produce any sort of water that you will notice

[Cyker]

This just seems to be a thing that happens, esp. this time of year - Rhymes with Paris had a good tip in another similar thread; Basically get the engine good and hot, and run the HVAC at a medium fan speed at maximum heat - This can help cook off any bacteria that's producing odor.

The other thing is to get an aircon bomb and use that to do the same thing (And also fill the car with the artificial scent of your choice!)

Note these things likely won't solve the issue forever; I've had to deal with it annually in all my cars, although it's been trickier in my Mk4 as the engine never gets to the same levels of heat my others did, so the natural bacteria murder that normally happens over winter hasn't been as effective.

Other things that can help are turning off the AC and setting to fresh air 5-10 minutes before you stop the car - This helps blow out any moisture building up in the system so it doesn't pool and stagnate overnight, which I reckon is what makes it stink particularly in the morning, esp. this time of year as it's warm.

[Hybrid21]

Thanks guys, a bit puzzling why there's no water coming out ?

Never had any problems with aircon before, I'll need to Google how to check the cabin filter 🙂

It's had two dealer services so hopefully this will not be the problem 😕

[Cyker]

I don't know with yours, but in my experience the AC doesn't usually produce that much water unless it's very humid, so it'd have to be running for a while before you see it drip out in current weather.

Cabin filter's usually pretty easy - In most Toyotas it's behind the glovebox (Pop it open, then squeeze the sides where the arrows are and it should rotate out completely, and there should be a slot where the cabin filter is)

However the cabin filter is now a service item so if it's being serviced at a dealer regularly they should be changing it (I forget if it's every service or every 2 services)

[TonyHSD]

The car will make puddle of water underneath near front left tyre or somewhere in the middle but when it’s hot enough outside 25C° and a lots of condensation can happen. I doubt it the drain system on so recent car been blocked, but we can’t exclude this. Usually these gets blocked on cars that sees off road , over gravel and grass drive, dirt roads etc. or inactive ac for very long time., if you switch off during winter for example. Even an insects can go in too. However if it’s blocked the water will make your carpet wet , this is another sign of it.
There is a way to check this tube and it’s not difficult, the tube is located under the passenger carpet up near the dashboard. There are videos in YouTube too, if you search ac drain tube on rav4. Perhaps you will need to use the car more, do the trick with heat , check cabin filter and with the time the smell will disappear. My car is similar because I don’t use ac in winter and beginning of the warm weather season the ac it’s a bit smelly when turning on but then after some time been used the smell disappear, the water paddles happens and there are no problems whatsoever. 

[Terry10]

I have just had this smell issue a couple of times in the last week.I have my air on permanently all year round but in eco mode. Suspect the eco mode may not be helping. Was on a 100 mile motorway run yesterday so opened all the windows and put air con on full heat ect for 20 minutes or so. Bit uncomfortable as the outside temperature was about 28d but hopefully it's done the trick. Watch this space!!!!!!!!
Terry.

 

[Mojo1010]

This is quite normal, my car is experiencing it every year. When the smell gets quite bad spray in the inlet vent and turn on heater for a while. 

[ernieb]

Sanitiser bomb, air con on recycle, close everything up and start the bomb, close for 15 mins then turn off the air con, open up for 10 mins. Job done.

[Hybrid21]

As I said I've never had this issue in any of my previous cars, that's why it's puzzling ?

[APS]

On 6/10/2023 at 6:44 PM, Hybrid21 said:

Thanks guys, a bit puzzling why there's no water coming out ?

Never had any problems with aircon before, I'll need to Google how to check the cabin filter 🙂

It's had two dealer services so hopefully this will not be the problem 😕

The amount of condensation from the AC is directly proportional to air humidity. With the current hot weather, daytime humidity sits around 40%, which is low and will not generate much condensation. Incidentally, I checked under the Aygo after an hours drive today and there was nothing. I'm sure there was some condensation but it wasn't enough that I could see any for the time I was looking. Wait long enough and there will be. 

It is possible the condensation drain is blocked. You can check this from underneath the car where there will be a soft rubbery tube coming out from around the bottom of bulkhead. Not always easy to see. However, if it really was blocked (which is rare) you could have water in one of the footwells. Check carpets.

 

On 6/10/2023 at 6:21 PM, Cyker said:

Other things that can help are turning off the AC and setting to fresh air 5-10 minutes before you stop the car - This helps blow out any moisture building up in the system so it doesn't pool and stagnate overnight, which I reckon is what makes it stink particularly in the morning, esp. this time of year as it's warm.

This is one of the best things you can do. Condensation will sit in in the evaporator and the housing below it. The moisture mixes with dust and becomes a petri dish for bacteria and fungi. Dealers often do air quality checks nowadays which will give you bacterium count. They can disinfect the system for you or you can buy DIY kits to do this yourself. 

[Cyker]

2 hours ago, Hybrid21 said:

As I said I've never had this issue in any of my previous cars, that's why it's puzzling ?

I think it does depend on the car; My friend's never noticed it and he drives an Auris, but also never noticed it in his previous cars (Audi, VW and a Honda IIRC).

On the other hand, all my AC-capable cars have been Yarisueesieues and it's been a randomly recurring issue with all of them!  

[TonyHSD]

I have always noticed an ac smell in any car with air con when just been turned on or off, winter or summer. Good practice when  start the car you can  lower the windows when you turn on ac and keep them open for the next few minutes. 

[YarisHybrid2016]

I get it most years (2015 Yaris).

Annually around March/April I get the AC cleaned and regassed (if it wasn't done at service). I hate smelly AC!

[Hybrid21]

Just an update, aircon smell seems to have disappeared on it's own ?

I didn't have a chance to investigate it, will wait and see if it comes back.

[philip42h]

6 minutes ago, Hybrid21 said:

Just an update, aircon smell seems to have disappeared on it's own ?

I didn't have a chance to investigate it, will wait and see if it comes back.

I suspect that I observed the same phenomenon ... How do you use the aircon? I just leave mine on Automatic and set to a sensible temperature - and, generally, that works fine.

We did have some rather warm and muggy weather earlier in the year resulting in rather more than normal condensation collecting in and dripping from the car, and I did get the occasional whiff. But that resolved itself very quickly with the end of the summer weather. 😉

[Hybrid21]

Hi Philip, yes I leave my Aircon on auto and adjust the temperature as required 👍