I think my fj smells the same way when I turn on the air. It only smells for a minute though. I am thinking it may be the in cabin filter, but I don't think that would be able to create a smell that bad and that strong.
My rig smells like a highschool gym locker.
For no reason my rig is emitting some kind of smell from the AC vents that is, well, not that pleasing to the nose. Smells like someone stuck a very stinky sweaty sock in one of the air ducts. I would notice it when I would turn on the air and it would smell for like 5 minuets or so. Then go away. So yesterday I had the rig fully detailed inside and out. Spent a whole hell of a lot of money and now it smells like mold or mildew all the time when I don’t have the recirculation on. No smell during heat usage. I have done quite a few water forgings and lots of mud holes in the last few months with some buddies of mine that are not fellow FJer’s. So, the big question is has anybody else had/have an issue like this? I contacted a dealer about this and they state that warranty does not cover smells like dirty socks or mildew. Never has any water got inside the cab that I am aware of and I have no carpet floor mats only the nice rubber ones. So I am at a bit of a lost here. Need some help please. Thanks. Other than that, all else is working just fine.
1 - 20 of 39 Posts
wasnt their a thread about mold in the vents/ filters? Not sure if im getting this confused with something else.
Are you sure that it is not just trapping in your body smell inside the confines of the FJ?
Just a thought...:lol:
Just a thought...:lol:
Are you sure that it is not just trapping in your body smell inside the confines of the FJ?
Just a thought...:lol:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Now that was funny. I love it when I get a good razzing. I only smell after work.:bigthumb:
Its the AC....happens in our work cars all the time...its is spores in the system. You have to get the AC filter replaced to get rid of the stench!
Yup. Replace the cabin filter, and there is sone stuff you spray into the vents to kill the mildew and deodorize the vents. Wally world and other fine retail establishments carry the stuff (I can't even remember the name of it right now...)
What do you mean by AC filter. Is this something that is best left to the dealer for warranty or is it something any joe smoe can do. What about the cabin filter as other have hinted at?Its the AC....happens in our work cars all the time...its is spores in the system. You have to get the AC filter replaced to get rid of the stench!
Change out the cabin filter inside the glove compartment. Very simple to do. LandcruiserSteve has a write up on it.
As much as i love the smell of the DIRT from Death Valley I had the lingering scent well after my last trip. Had the Dealer replace the cabin filter with regular oil change @ 20k and still have the rememberable scent from the desert. So it seams the cabin filter wasn't it so if anybody has any better clues...... I will check in with my Dealer CSR (also an FJ owner) and see what he says.
does it smell like death? you might have a dead mouse or critter in blower fan housing, see it all the time at work
Reminds me of the BO episode of Seinfeld. :lol:
Does it smell like "teen spirit"? 
replace the cabin air filter, and turn the recirc. off
replace the cabin air filter, and turn the recirc. off
LOL "what, am I hard of smelling"Reminds me of the BO episode of Seinfeld. :lol:
I bought a 2007 recently and noticed a smell with the air on. More of a medicinal smell though. The dealer had changed the filter, so hopefully it's just that new filter smell. Goes away quickly at least...
I've seen (smelled?) this happen... it's particularly gnarly. I had a buddy in HS that had a mouse on the heater core of an AMC he had. It was intense.does it smell like death? you might have a dead mouse or critter in blower fan housing, see it all the time at work
The Dirty Sock Syndrome is actually a very serious problem for Prius drivers. The Prius uses a variable speed electric A/C compressor. That really helps the efficiency, and also dehumidification performance, but has an unintended side effect
By design, the Prius A/C runs more often than a regular car. It's not clutched, it's variable speed. The evaporator coil is therefore cold and damp almost all the time. This is much worse in a humid area
You will then have molds growing on the e-coil and case/drain area. Most of these molds are invisible to the naked eye. Home A/C systems can have the same problem
I have a very efficient Bryant Evolution furnace in my home, and my hobby farm. It uses a variable speed furnace blower, and a two speed outdoor A/C condenser. Like the Prius, it's designed to run longer at lower speed, to enhance dehumidification
I had a very nasty stench from my home system, and it finally happened last summer at the hobby farm. The hobby farm A/C is rarely used, but we had a pretty humid summer. I use NuCalgon products to service my system, they are proven HVAC professional products
Note: do *not* use regular laundry bleach to clean your e-coil. The sodium hypochlorite will absolutely eradicate the smell, but it will also attack the tubing in the e-coil, resulting in a failure at some point
I use a combination e-coil cleaner and sanitizer called NuCalgon EvapFresh. This product is used straight, no mixing and no rinsing. I apply it with the same kind of plastic sprayer one uses around the garden
Ok, their site appears to be down. I was going to point you to their direct product information. I checked and I do have saved copies, we'll try that
If the e-coil is very dirty, it's best to preclean with a product like NuCalgon Special CalClean HD, or EvapPower. Otherwise the dirt will shelter the stinky stuff
If the e-coil is very bad, a product like NuCalgon BioFresh is needed. This product contains chlorine dioxide, and should only be used in well ventilated conditions.
It appears the only way to properly clean the e-coil in a vehicle is to drill a couple of 1/2 holes near the e-coil, and use the sprayer to drench the e-coil and case. This will require careful study of the shop manual to avoid drilling into the heater core or e-coil
I'd use a 1/2 hole as that is a standard knockout plug used in the HVAC and electrical industry. Easy to plug afterwards
Another option is to try to shove a tube up the e-coil drain hole. The hole is quite small, not sure how well that would work
With my Prius, I was able to remove the blower motor and cabin filter, which barely gave me enough access to the e-coil. With an inspection scope and an extension on the sprayer, I was able to drench the e-coil. Smell went away
By design, the Prius A/C runs more often than a regular car. It's not clutched, it's variable speed. The evaporator coil is therefore cold and damp almost all the time. This is much worse in a humid area
You will then have molds growing on the e-coil and case/drain area. Most of these molds are invisible to the naked eye. Home A/C systems can have the same problem
I have a very efficient Bryant Evolution furnace in my home, and my hobby farm. It uses a variable speed furnace blower, and a two speed outdoor A/C condenser. Like the Prius, it's designed to run longer at lower speed, to enhance dehumidification
I had a very nasty stench from my home system, and it finally happened last summer at the hobby farm. The hobby farm A/C is rarely used, but we had a pretty humid summer. I use NuCalgon products to service my system, they are proven HVAC professional products
Note: do *not* use regular laundry bleach to clean your e-coil. The sodium hypochlorite will absolutely eradicate the smell, but it will also attack the tubing in the e-coil, resulting in a failure at some point
I use a combination e-coil cleaner and sanitizer called NuCalgon EvapFresh. This product is used straight, no mixing and no rinsing. I apply it with the same kind of plastic sprayer one uses around the garden
Ok, their site appears to be down. I was going to point you to their direct product information. I checked and I do have saved copies, we'll try that
If the e-coil is very dirty, it's best to preclean with a product like NuCalgon Special CalClean HD, or EvapPower. Otherwise the dirt will shelter the stinky stuff
If the e-coil is very bad, a product like NuCalgon BioFresh is needed. This product contains chlorine dioxide, and should only be used in well ventilated conditions.
It appears the only way to properly clean the e-coil in a vehicle is to drill a couple of 1/2 holes near the e-coil, and use the sprayer to drench the e-coil and case. This will require careful study of the shop manual to avoid drilling into the heater core or e-coil
I'd use a 1/2 hole as that is a standard knockout plug used in the HVAC and electrical industry. Easy to plug afterwards
Another option is to try to shove a tube up the e-coil drain hole. The hole is quite small, not sure how well that would work
With my Prius, I was able to remove the blower motor and cabin filter, which barely gave me enough access to the e-coil. With an inspection scope and an extension on the sprayer, I was able to drench the e-coil. Smell went away
Attachments
-
1.3 MB Views: 227
I also get that funky sweat sock smell every time I turn on my AC. Mom had a Camry that did the same thing. What's up with that? Maybe I should pull the air filter and change it, I haven't done that yet. Seems more like condensate sitting for too long in there, gets a little swampy.
Take out the filter, then knock it off, then ontop of it throw a "Little tree" and load it back in there, that's what I do and my car always smells like heaven , keeps the little tree hidden so you don't look ghetto either, and of course it spreads the odor-neutralize throughout the entire vehicle when the air is on.
, keeps the little tree hidden so you don't look ghetto either, and of course it spreads the odor-neutralize throughout the entire vehicle when the air is on.1 - 20 of 39 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
A forum community dedicated to Toyota FJ owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, accessories, mods, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
