Nasty sweat like odor from HVAC system when engine is off? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

PandaSPUR · 01-09-2016, 11:32 PM

Need some help here. I've had this issue for a while now but kinda put it off since it only occurs when I have the fans running with the engine off.

Basically whenever the air is actually being heated and/or cooled, the air from the vents smells fine. No odor at all.

But once the engine is off (or I turn off the AC) and I have just air blowing, it smells like sweat or some kinda body odor. Like a moldy smell maybe. Doesnt matter if I have recirculate on or off.

I just replaced the air filter this month and I still get the smell. New air filter does have carbon.

Any ideas? Wheres the air intake for the ventilation located? I should probably check that. I'm close to just running the vent on full blast, taking out the air filter, and spraying febreeze into that gap, hoping it circulates and kills whatever is causing the odor.

Stang70Fastback · 01-09-2016, 11:37 PM

I've noticed that my car tends to have this weird, almost "week-old-garbage" smell the next day when I park it after driving in the rain. No idea what it is. Clears out as soon as I turn on the air or whatever, but it's nasty when you first sit down in it.

Luftwaffel · 01-09-2016, 11:39 PM

I think fresh air intake is usually around where the wiper blades rest. Like in the plastic tray there. I'd probably turn the air on full blast, roll down the windows, and spray something like Lysol disinfectant in there. Maybe even remove the air filter first so it circulates through the whole system.

Ultramaroon · 01-09-2016, 11:51 PM

Yup. Smells just like sour laundry; washed then left wet for a day or so.

The struggle is real. :/

jawn · 01-10-2016, 12:08 AM

Run the heat on high before you park it. Moisture/condensation accumulates in the ducting and on the condenser if/when you run A/C on recirc a lot.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/einszett-961105-Klima-Cleaner-Professional-Conditioner/dp/B0002Z2MKO"]Amazon.com: einszett 961105 Klima-Cleaner Professional Air Conditioner Cleaner - 10 oz: Automotive[/ame]

Something like that sprayed deep into the ducting or directly on the condenser will help.

Luftwaffel · 01-10-2016, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawn

Run the heat on high before you park it. Moisture/condensation accumulates in the ducting and on the condenser if/when you run A/C on recirc a lot.

Amazon.com: einszett 961105 Klima-Cleaner Professional Air Conditioner Cleaner - 10 oz: Automotive

Something like that sprayed deep into the ducting or directly on the condenser will help.

Ah there it is, I couldn't remember what this stuff was called but it was what I was going to recommend to you before I mentioned the Lysol thing.

Ultramaroon · 01-10-2016, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawn

Run the heat on high before you park it. Moisture/condensation accumulates in the ducting and on the condenser if/when you run A/C on recirc a lot.

Amazon.com: einszett 961105 Klima-Cleaner Professional Air Conditioner Cleaner - 10 oz: Automotive

Something like that sprayed deep into the ducting or directly on the condenser will help.

I started getting the funk after having to use the defrost mode daily. Imma try blasting the heat. Thanks.

jawn · 01-10-2016, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I started getting the funk after having to use the defrost mode daily. Imma try blasting the heat. Thanks.

My last car used to smell like gym socks, but I got into the habit of just blasting heat or just air for a few minutes before parking the car every day for a week or two, and everything cleared out. Obviously, if your mold is more entrenched, it'll take more than hot/dry air to kill it.

Ultramaroon · 01-10-2016, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawn

My last car used to smell like gym socks, but I got into the habit of just blasting heat or just air for a few minutes before parking the car every day for a week or two, and everything cleared out. Obviously, if your mold is more entrenched, it'll take more than hot/dry air to kill it.

I'm committed to a solution.

jawn · 01-10-2016, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I'm committed to a solution.

acetothermus · 01-10-2016, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I'm committed to a solution.

I get to use this twice in as many days...

chaoskaze · 01-10-2016, 04:21 AM

never have smells...i guess living in a desert is a bliss when it comes to this..... lol

if I spill water I can watch it evaporate infront of my eyes.

Ultramaroon · 01-10-2016, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawn

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by acetothermus

I get to use this twice in as many days...

Tcoat · 01-10-2016, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I'm committed to a solution.

I just kicked the homeless guy out of the back seat and all was good.

01-09-2016, 11:32 PM	#1
PandaSPUR PandaPandaPandaPandaPanda Join Date: May 2014 Drives: 2015 BRZ Limited CWP Location: New York City, NY Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 776 Thanked 697 Times in 438 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Nasty sweat like odor from HVAC system when engine is off? Need some help here. I've had this issue for a while now but kinda put it off since it only occurs when I have the fans running with the engine off. Basically whenever the air is actually being heated and/or cooled, the air from the vents smells fine. No odor at all. But once the engine is off (or I turn off the AC) and I have just air blowing, it smells like sweat or some kinda body odor. Like a moldy smell maybe. Doesnt matter if I have recirculate on or off. I just replaced the air filter this month and I still get the smell. New air filter does have carbon. Any ideas? Wheres the air intake for the ventilation located? I should probably check that. I'm close to just running the vent on full blast, taking out the air filter, and spraying febreeze into that gap, hoping it circulates and kills whatever is causing the odor.

01-09-2016, 11:51 PM	#4
Ultramaroon chicken tonight Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 31,952 Thanks: 52,307 Thanked 36,619 Times in 18,982 Posts Mentioned: 1109 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	Yup. Smells just like sour laundry; washed then left wet for a day or so. The struggle is real. :/ __________________ service manuals

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01-09-2016, 11:37 PM	#2
Stang70Fastback A.K.A. Starlord Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2015 Series.Blue Location: Illinois Posts: 1,842 Thanks: 845 Thanked 2,099 Times in 834 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I've noticed that my car tends to have this weird, almost "week-old-garbage" smell the next day when I park it after driving in the rain. No idea what it is. Clears out as soon as I turn on the air or whatever, but it's nasty when you first sit down in it.

01-10-2016, 12:08 AM	#5
jawn Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2015 CWP BRZ Limited Location: NOVA Posts: 2,800 Thanks: 1,801 Thanked 3,946 Times in 1,757 Posts Mentioned: 105 Post(s) Tagged: 7 Thread(s)	Run the heat on high before you park it. Moisture/condensation accumulates in the ducting and on the condenser if/when you run A/C on recirc a lot. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/einszett-961105-Klima-Cleaner-Professional-Conditioner/dp/B0002Z2MKO"]Amazon.com: einszett 961105 Klima-Cleaner Professional Air Conditioner Cleaner - 10 oz: Automotive[/ame] Something like that sprayed deep into the ducting or directly on the condenser will help.

01-10-2016, 04:21 AM	#12
chaoskaze The Fail Boat Join Date: Aug 2011 Drives: CWP S.B. Location: LasVegas Posts: 3,028 Thanks: 4,718 Thanked 1,293 Times in 873 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	never have smells...i guess living in a desert is a bliss when it comes to this..... lol if I spill water I can watch it evaporate infront of my eyes.

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