RnB180

I noticed that about 3 weeks into owning the tc, when I start the air cirulation, I get a funny smell like damp water that smells not too pleasant.

if I have the ac on, the smell is noticeable for about 3 seconds and then clears out, but if I just run the fan the smell is constant.

1st owner, new car only 2 months old, and I baby this car, I dont sweat in it, I use seat covers, fabreeze and clean in obesessively, use air fresheners and so on.

I aksed a few friends and they told me its normal for new cars and it goes away after a while?

I was thinking maybe condensation is built up somewhere, in the ac system because I have it on all the time?

any ideas of what it might be?

OldYeller

I have seen posts before about condensation getting in around the AC areas. It sounds like that is your problem.

RnB180

how do fix it, do I take it to the dealer?
do you think this is covered under warranty?[/i]

OldYeller

If you are under warranty I would take it in. Do a search for condensation or AC smell and see what others have posted.

FLINTstone

it happens in every car. condensation from the AC in the ducts mixes with common road dust and stuff and makes a musty smell.

i had the same problem in my last car. there is a product where you spray the intake vent where the AC sucks air from, but it only masks the smell for a short while, not to mention smells the car like baby powder. i just live with it and blast the vents with the windows down!

RnB180

ill probably take it in on tuesday.

I think Im almost due for an oil change too. 3.5k miles?

mcheng08

oil change is about 5000k and also the smell is normal in Toyota cars, if you take it in i think they will just laugh at you. because there is no way to stop condensation from the AC, that is like trying to stop a human from sweating.

RnB180

well.. is there a way to get rid of the smell, or will my new car smell like its sweating everytime I turn on the ac?

its a yucky smell, isnt there a way to clean out or dry out the area thats causing it?

mcheng08

if you don't like the smell, just get air freshener, the new car smell well eventually be gone anyway, so you might as-well start early and just get the freshener. or just don't use the ac.

RnB180

Ive been using an air freshener

mcheng08

RnB180

lets just say the smelly air with air freshener just makes it worse.

Deathwish238

If you don't like the smell, just turn on the AC. If it's too cold, raise the temp a bit.

chaseonbass

a/c mold...

SicktC06

Did you fart? Just kiddin man!

but it sounds like it's possible to have condinsation. I don't know exactly where it might be or anything, but I've seen this problem before. Dealer is my best guess too.

Ace83

iTrader: (6)

wouldnt hurt if you have the dealer check it when you oilchange

BZinn1

You could have a clog on the air duct the where water has built up and made a bit of mold..........and have you put a filter in.Most likely the vent path has pollen or mold and it is being vented into the cabin.........dealership......

HR_Guy

It's normal. Both my cars do this. Every car I've owned has done this. Not using the recirculation with the A/C helps, when you turn on just the fan it won't smell as bad.

bencott

yeah, sometimes that smell is unavoidable. you can minimize it by keeping the recirculate function off whenever possible. in other words, keep the fresh air vents open. if you take it to the dealership, they will try to sell you a $350 "AC refresher" service. don't buy it. i once read about a product from germany that actually does kill mold and dissolve any organic material in the ac system, but i haven't been able to find anything on it since. sorry, i wish i could be of more help.

Tomas

OK, it is mold, fungus and bacteria growing in the air-handler, and the ONLY way to actually take care of it, rather than cover it up, is to kill the crud...

There is the Toyota way:

http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/t...p?p_faqid=4243

...and their are also commercial products (like the German Einszett Air Conditioning 'Klima' Cleaner) that are sprayed into the intake vents and they foam up and fill the area with a disinfectant type stuff, then collapse and drain out the built-in A/C drain.

There really are some topics here on ScionLife that have discussed this...

Such as: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...088909#2088909

BTW, I'm one of those folks who doesn't really care for most "air deodorizer" or "smell good" products 'cause many of 'em leave a very difficult to remove film on everything inside the car, including the glass. (They work by releasing a very slow evaporating "scent" that has to land SOMETHERE, and usually it is oil based)

Tom