[Renju79]

Hi All,

I have a KIA Sorento 2.4L Petrol 2014 FWD model (I purchased it in 2015 and its in Kuwait) .
The car has done 98000 KM and I changed the AC (Compressor and Evaporator both under warranty) at around 85000KM . Now when I switch on the blower a smell like vinegar is coming on and when the AC is turned on, the smell goes off. When I switch off the AC and if the blower is running the smell is back.

I took it to the service center and the cant find it out. Can anyone show some light into this issue? Is this a bacterial issue or something with the blower? Am sure that nothing has spilt on the dash from my side. No idea whether anything happened while the guys changed the AC.

Kind Regards

Renju

 

[LMP]

This is a fungus smell.....not abnormal as pollen and other vegetal particles stick on the moist evaporator (that eventually freezes) and when turned off, the moist fungus emanates this kind of odor.

 

[ron1004]

Did it start immediately after the new AC compressor and evaporator was installed, or some time later?

If immediately after it could be that they used some kind of silicone sealant during the assembly, and would fade away soon.

If you use it constantly in re-circulation mode it's prone to grow fungus/algae.

 

[tortuga65]

Silicone sealant was my guess as well. That stuff smells like vinegar. If it is it will go away after it cures fully.

 

[LMP]

Silicone sealant was my guess as well. That stuff smells like vinegar. If it is it will go away after it cures fully.

Good interpretation...yes, silicone does smell like vinegar....much closer than fungus....

 

[Lou O.]

With the engine running and your HVAC fan running at MAX speed open your hood and spray Lysol spray (blue can prefered) into the air intake below the wiper blade on the passenger side (Called the Cowl). You will see the Lysol being sucked into the A/C Vent system. Do this on and off for several minutes. The Lysol should clean out any nasties growing in your vent system. You may need to repeat every day for a week or two if nasties are severe enough.

 

[ron1004]

With the engine running and your HVAC fan running at MAX speed open your hood and spray Lysol spray (blue can prefered) into the air intake below the wiper blade on the passenger side (Called the Cowl). You will see the Lysol being sucked into the A/C Vent system. Do this on and off for several minutes. The Lysol should clean out any nasties growing in your vent system. You may need to repeat every day for a week or two if nasties are severe enough.

Wouldn't that wet the cabin air filter and choke it while its wet?

 

[bobdec]

+1 on that.. Silicon sealants made with 'acetic acid' produce a vinegar like odor while curing. It should go away soon. You could ask whoever did the evaporator replacement if they used any silicon sealant, or just wait and see if it goes away after it has cured.

 

[Lou O.]

Wouldn't that wet the cabin air filter and choke it while its wet?

Yea, if held on constant spray. What you want to do is pulse the spray, on for a few seconds then off. Use some common sense and don't drown the air intake system. You can also do this in your homes HVAC system. It helps keep the duct work free of mold and mildew....Don't do with the furnace running!

 

[tortuga65]

Yea, if held on constant spray. What you want to do is pulse the spray, on for a few seconds then off. Use some common sense and don't drown the air intake system. You can also do this in your homes HVAC system. It helps keep the duct work free of mold and mildew....Don't do with the furnace running!

Wouldn’t it be better to just take the filter out while you do this. Seems like your mostly just spraying Lysol on the filter.


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[Renju79]

Ron

Did it start immediately after the new AC compressor and evaporator was installed, or some time later?

If immediately after it could be that they used some kind of silicone sealant during the assembly, and would fade away soon.

If you use it constantly in re-circulation mode it's prone to grow fungus/algae.

No, It didn't start soon immediately after changing the Evaporator and Compressor. Started after around 3 months ..

 

[ron1004]

Ron
No, It didn't start soon immediately after changing the Evaporator and Compressor. Started after around 3 months ..

Do you use it constantly in re-circulation mode?

 

[Renju79]

Do you use it constantly in re-circulation mode?

Yes I Do. very rarely I switch it off..

 

[ron1004]

Yes I Do. very rarely I switch it off..

That usually leads to mildew build-up on the evaporator, so good practice to turn it off for some times.

It could also be that the condensate drain is blocked.

Why does my A/C blow foul smelling air when it first turns on?

Most of the time when I first turn on the A/C in our 2008 Toyota Sienna, the air that blows out has a very distinct chemical - nasty smell. After a while it seems to go away. I'm not sure if I just...

mechanics.stackexchange.com

 

[Lou O.]

Wouldn’t it be better to just take the filter out while you do this. Seems like your mostly just spraying Lysol on the filter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, you could do this, but most folks won't because getting the cabin filter out requires some effort and auto knowledge. Getting Lysol on the filter won't hurt it a bit.

 

[Lou O.]

Hi All,

I have a KIA Sorento 2.4L Petrol 2014 FWD model (I purchased it in 2015 and its in Kuwait) .
The car has done 98000 KM and I changed the AC (Compressor and Evaporator both under warranty) at around 85000KM . Now when I switch on the blower a smell like vinegar is coming on and when the AC is turned on, the smell goes off. When I switch off the AC and if the blower is running the smell is back.

I took it to the service center and the cant find it out. Can anyone show some light into this issue? Is this a bacterial issue or something with the blower? Am sure that nothing has spilt on the dash from my side. No idea whether anything happened while the guys changed the AC.

Kind Regards

Renju

Okay, Now that we know you drive around in recirculation mode stop the habit.
Switch over to flow thru vent. Follow my Lysol procedure as described above and repeat weekly for one month. Report back to us in 4 weeks letting us know what occurred.
Thanks!

 

[tortuga65]

Yes, you could do this, but most folks won't because getting the cabin filter out requires some effort and auto knowledge. Getting Lysol on the filter won't hurt it a bit.

Actually I was thinking of your suggestion to do it in your home system.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tortuga65]

Okay, Now that we know you drive around in recirculation mode stop the habit.
Switch over to flow thru vent. Follow my Lysol procedure as described above and repeat weekly for one month. Report back to us in 4 weeks letting us know what occurred.
Thanks!

That BG fridge fresh works wonders. Don’t know if its just lysol or something else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Renju79]

That usually leads to mildew build-up on the evaporator, so good practice to turn it off for some times.

It could also be that the condensate drain is blocked.

Why does my A/C blow foul smelling air when it first turns on?

Most of the time when I first turn on the A/C in our 2008 Toyota Sienna, the air that blows out has a very distinct chemical - nasty smell. After a while it seems to go away. I'm not sure if I just...

mechanics.stackexchange.com

Ron,

Many thanks for the reply and its a new info for me. Will do as you guys say.

 

[Renju79]

Okay, Now that we know you drive around in recirculation mode stop the habit.
Switch over to flow thru vent. Follow my Lysol procedure as described above and repeat weekly for one month. Report back to us in 4 weeks letting us know what occurred.
Thanks!

Hey LouO...

Many thanks for those valuable inputs.. Will do as instructed and keep you guys posted here.. Will take some time as going for a short vacation..

Seasons greetings to all out here folks..

Cheers....