Weird Smell when MAX A/C is on

[GeorgiaBoy]

Anyone have a weird smell coming from the A/C after the Car has been running for awhile? Not really a bad smell, just a weird odor.

[Retread]

It re circulates the cabin air on max. Wash your feet. Or stinky tennis shoes maybe ?

I have no such odor when the A/C is set to max.

[FujiBlueSi]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaBoy

Anyone have a wierd smell coming from the A/C after the Car has been running for awhile? Not really a bad smell, just a wierd odor.

Yeah, I get the smell too. It's not unpleasant, just strange. It goes away after a few mins. My wife's 03 EX has the same smell.

[CameronJr9]

Can you describe the smell?

[FujiBlueSi]

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Can you describe the smell?

Hmmm....smells like chemicals. Freon maybe? (R134) Hard to describe since I haven't smelled anything else like it to compare it to. It doesn't happen all the time. It only really happens when I first put the AC on max and the engine is under load. It goes away quickly though and the AC works great.

[tegrady]

Is it a sweet smell? That's usually antifreeze which may mean a leaky heater core, but with a brand new car, I doubt it.

[FujiBlueSi]

Originally Posted by tegrady

Is it a sweet smell? That's usually antifreeze which may mean a leaky heater core, but with a brand new car, I doubt it.

Definitely not antifreeze. Doesn't smell sweet. I guess the smell of R134 is the best I can compare it to. I used to sell it so I smelled it quite a few times when the cans were defective.
Since it happens so infrequently I have just ignored it. I haven't smelled it in a few weeks and I had the AC on max all last week cuz of the 100+ degree weather we had here.

[PoLiShPrInCe]

i have the same smell... i actually thought that it might be mildew so i bought this stuff which your spray in the vents.... then it went away for awhile but returned.. not as harsh

[tomasro]

If you run the A/C for a long time, and you don't air out the system once in a while, the smell is mold/mildew building up in your system. Make sure if you run your A/C a long time to turn off the a/c and run the air at full blast until all the coldness goes away (takes a minute). Otherwise, you'll build up such mold/mildew in your cooling system that you'll never get rid of that smell...

My parents had to have their entire cooling system removed and cleaned to get theirs to go away because they didn't know this. It applies to all vehicles with A/C.

[CivicWithNav]

use MAX AC(recirc air) only for short period of time

it has been known to cause Bad smell, nausia, headache and such...

when i go on the highway i vent the roof and put a/c fresh mode in low fan...the pressure pushes air into the cabin anyway

[FujiBlueSi]

Nice tips. I will try it out. Thanks.

[Silver8th]

.....moved to Mechanical problems/Vehicle Issues Forum

[RedSIinPA]

I do notice a smell and I do think it's sort of a air/freshener sweet smell. It's not a great smell, not a bad smell - just a smell. I'm not sure what's causing it in mine but given the weather around here as of late, I was running Max AC almost all the time. I'll try to run my fresh air a/c today and then blow just the fan as I approach home.

[spunkin82]

thanks for the info, i was experiencing the same thing when i have the air circulation on for a long time... i just turn it off when the smell comes out.. but i dont really use the air circulation unless it's really hot outside and the AC feels really weak. Thanks again.. at least i know that my car doesnt need any service.

[jasongg06]

Well it depends on how you drive. The way Honda's A/C works, is that the clutch disengages when you either go past a certain rpm, or floor the gas. Either way your A/C basically turns off, but your fans don't, and there's that smell for a lil while. It seems normal on most cars, if you keep the fans on with the windows open, it'll go away in a minute or two. Or just keep the A/C on.

[10Hondas]

Mine has done it since day one. It is a chemical smell and it only does it with the AC and recirc on. It goes away as soon as I turn off the recirc.

[BigBucksT]

It is mold from when the freezing element of the a/c is left on for long periods of time. This is why every time you turn your car off, make sure the a/c is off. Otherwise, you get this nasty moldy smell.

[10Hondas]

My problem definately was not mold, it was a defenite chemical smell. My wife's CRV had a mold problem in the ac sys, and it was a different smell.

[VICHONDAEX]

This is for real. maybe it's a death rat inside under your back seat..If you leave the car outside maybe you are anotehr victim of a rat attack,,,

[GeorgiaBoy]

I am a Heating and Air tech by trade in the civilian world and this is definitly not mold. It takes a couple of months for skin cells to start a mold process. I was thinking that it could be related to the cabin filter or the evaporator not clearing the drain fast enough. It does happen way to oftne than it should and it should work properly. I have an appointment Monday for the reflash and will have it looked at then. I will follow up on their findings.