Smell from A/C

[tributeventures]

I have 1985 Carrera and the a/c dryer rusted out and had to be replaced. I have had a bad smell from the a/c vents. It almost smells like fuel, but is not. Somewhat toxic though. My wife won't ride in the car with this smell. Could the a/c refrigerant leaking into the system be making this smell?

Any other suggestions where smell is coming from?

Suggestions on getting rid of smell.

[cmonref]

Mold on the evaporator coils? Remove the of the evaporator and treat it with an appropriate chemical. (Someone else may jump in with an easier treatment.)

Alternatively, mold or other corruption outside the evaporator, but being pulled into the evaporator thru an unsealed box.

[T77911S]

you can spray a non rinse coil cleaner on the evap if you feel that is the problem.

if you replace the dryer and it is leaking it would not be coming in the vents since the dryer is under the fender.
if the system was empty and it was recharged after the dryer was replaced the evap or the expansion vlave could be leaking.
iif a shop did the work they should have been able to tell it was leaking before they charged the system.
take it to a shop that has a "sniffer" and let them snif the vents for a leak.

[ganun]

Could also be the a/c blower motor cooking I suppose, ....as far as mold etc. by removing the pass side floor board one can see into the bottom of the evaporator coil and see the amount of crud built up on the fins, remove the resistor pack thats in the way and use the phone to get in there and snap some pics. Freon or r 134a don't smell like gas to me at least, more of a sweeter smell.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by tributeventures

My wife won't ride in the car with this smell.

Good news.

Given an average weight of a wife at 150 lbs plus or minus depending on bling/purse and other biological stuff, this weight enhancement will deliver approximately eight additional HP in a 2,800 lb. car.

[DRACO A5OG]

^^^ you Cray Cray BK

Have you pulled a vacuum and held it for 30 minutes to see if there is a leak? If leak free then as stated above may need cleaning or front condensor blower may be frying. Consider putting a fuse there in any case.

[tributeventures]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll be following up on them this weekend and report back what I find.

[wwest]

The A/C pulls in air from the driver and passenger footwell areas, have you by chance spilled something on the carpets nearby? Overheated carpet backing might be the cause...

[wwest]

Originally Posted by tributeventures

I have 1985 Carrera and the a/c dryer rusted out and had to be replaced. I have had a bad smell from the a/c vents. It almost smells like fuel, but is not. Somewhat toxic though. My wife won't ride in the car with this smell. Could the a/c refrigerant leaking into the system be making this smell?

Any other suggestions where smell is coming from?

Suggestions on getting rid of smell.

WHO recharged the refrigerant and with WHAT?

R-134a conversion, professional (***) or quickie?

New R/D (obvious), pressure switch?

[GH85Carrera]

We all have to ASSUME that whoever replaced the evaporator cleaned the evaporator box properly. The drain hose can have gunk in it as well. Mine was gross when I replaced my evaporator. I spent a lot of time scrubbing the box. It had a layer of goo that was not cleaned off properly and it gets wet from condensate it could start the stink all over.

[rusnak]

I wonder if there is a leak in the evaporator? Is there visible fresh oil in the bottom of the evap. box? (seen through the air intake near the resistor pack)

[wwest]

Op says "like fuel smell", I don't think mould and/or mildew odor can be mistaken for fuel odor.

Battery over charging sulphuric odor...?

Gas tank fill area overflow drain was plugged in the process of replacing R/D.?

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by tributeventures

I have 1985 Carrera and I have had a bad smell from the a/c vents. It almost smells like fuel, but is not.

1) Do you only smell "it" when the AC system is turned on (Center console RH knob turned clockwise, LH knob fully clockwise)?

2) Which 'vents' is coming out of, the center vent above the radio, the side vents or all 3?

3) Do you have the same smell when the AC is off, and the center dash fresh air sliders (top ones) are moved to the far right?

4) Is the smell still there when the heater controls (by brake pull) are closed?

5) Can you notice the same smell inside the front trunk or then engine compartment ?