Funny smell from my A/C

[jcommin]

This happens occasionally but annoying none the less.

When I run my A/C I get a funny smell coming from the vents. It's not an oil smell. I thought it was a coolant order but I'm not leaking anything or in the reservoir low. The unit keeps my car cool ( never great) , no change there. I originally thought is was a dead animal, something crawled up somewhere; I don't think so. The mystery is that is goes away after awhile.
I thought it might be a dirty filter but I don't know if I have one. Before I go tearing everything apart, does anyone have any thoughts?

[924RACR]

Mold, or other such growths. I have the problem in my minivan. Sucks... I've tried a spray you spray in to kill the smell, no luck...

My 931, OTOH, I've completely cleaned, and no odd smells.

Often it's a result of the drain being plugged, retaining water and stuff growing in the water.

[S-G-Covin]

Coolant will be this kinda sickly sweet smell. And astringent, as though there were some alcohol mixed in. Typically, its more pronounced when your heater is on. And it doesn't have to be leaking like a sieve to smell as though it were; vaporized coolant is rather...pungent.

But it won't ever be mistaken for a dead animal.

The "locker room" smell that some AC's take on is caused from mold and mildew buildup in the ventilation system. Question: does it happen only when the AC is running? What about when the heater is on, or when you only use the vents?

The reason i ask is that your AC should have a separate channel it goes through before it hits your ventilation system. If it only happens when the AC is on then its something in that pathway. Fixing it can be some major work if you plan to pull the offending part and clean it. If its everything, the most probable cause is a bad air filter. Buy a new one.

Poor man's solution: Get a few cans of Lysol (or any aerosol cleaner with germ/mold/mildew killing additives) household disinfectant spray can cleaner. Open all your doors and turn the AC up to max. Spray it into the air intake (under the hood, near the windshield). Use one whole can in a one shot deal. It may be all you need to kill the mold. If not, squirt the second can about a tenth at a time, giving the system a few minutes to flush it all through.

It shouldn't affect your AC's cooling performance, however. That needs a good old fashioned recharge.

[jcommin]

Thanks for the suggestions. My heater works fine. I'm going to try the cheap way first and if it doesn't work - I 'll take it apart.

Thanks

[Aslet]

i have the same issue, just the AC when it starts up. Also, early 944's have no air filter (am I mistaken?).

[jcommin]

I thought it had no filter. I couldn't find one on the PET files or shop manuals. I did try the Lysol yesterday. After overcoming the initial smell of the Lysol; I did not get that unusal smell. I'll check it all of this week.