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Stinky Vents/Air Conditioner

15K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  ChrisfromQuĂ©bec  
#1 · (Edited)
My daughter's 07 Sportage LX has developed a bad smell that comes when you turn on the vents--either just air or the A/C. I noticed she had the recirculating air button in the ON position today when i drove the car to the store. I turned that off so outside air would come through. It smelled so bad that I had to turn the fan off totally and roll down the windows and it was 100 degrees here today!:eek: I remember we had a car that had a similar problem which required us spraying Lysol spray in the places where the air comes in by the windshield and under the glove box. I looked for the air inlets by the windshield but had to lift the hood first--then sprayed the heck in the openings I saw. I couldn't find anything under the glove box so I just sprayed the vents themselves. Is there anything else I can do? It really smelled better in there after I sprayed but I don't know if it was just the spray in the air or if I "killed" what was in the system.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you take care of it? Are there certain areas to spray and if so, where are they?:huh:
Any help would be SO appreciated because the smell from the vents added to the smell from her softball equipment bag (she plays in college) is almost too much to bear!:eek:
 
#2 ·
A problem that is universal to allot of cars is the a/c condensate pan drain line gets plugged. When that happans water builds up and mold/mildew/ brakish water stays in the pan and you get the smell. Make sure the drain is clear and turn the recirculating function off. HTH.
 
#5 ·
This has happened on my previous cars and the drain is usually between the front tires underneath the car. Usually the drain hose is about the size of your little finger. Last time I had a problem with one I just snipped the end off with a pair of scissors and that cleared it. One time it was plugged so bad water backed up inside the car on the passenger side. So crawl underneath the car between the front wheels and you should see a drain hose/pipe.
 
#6 ·
I agree sounds like a blocked drain hose usually found under car hanging just below floor level forward of firewall.:cool:
 
#8 ·
There also is an air filter behind the glove box. It's a part of the vent ducting for the A/C. I cleaned mine a few weeks ago and was it ever dirty. I should replace the thing, but I had access to an air compressor and a clean paint brush. :cool: