Mildew smell when AC on
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Humble TX
Mildew smell when AC on
I have an 88 Corvette and I noticed recently that when I turn on the Air condition or defroster there is a light mildew smell that comes out of the vents. This has not happend before. Last week I had no choice but to run over a huge puddle of water on the highway...this may be the cause of the problem but, I am not sure. If anyone knows how to get rid of the smell or have any ideas please let me know...thanks :)
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (elite)
might be the heater core, when one went out in my old cars i had a nasty smell coming out of the vents
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Micco FL
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (elite)
This is rather stinky...but it works. Open all the windows...turn the A/C on high and recycle...take about 1 minute spraying a can of Lysol (make sure and pick a scent you like) into the return vent while changing the the heater/AC settings. Do this several times then let the car sit opened up outside in a breeze for a couple of hours.
This first couple of times you drive the car keep plenty of ventalation moving because your eyes will begin to water. Seeing you are in Texas...this should not be a problem for this time of year.
This will kill any mildew along with any other strange ordors and not have any significant negative effects.
Good luck.
This first couple of times you drive the car keep plenty of ventalation moving because your eyes will begin to water. Seeing you are in Texas...this should not be a problem for this time of year.
This will kill any mildew along with any other strange ordors and not have any significant negative effects.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 48
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (elite)
GM Part# 10953503 (Canada part#) Cooling coil coating spray. First, dry off your evaporator core by turnig the engine on, heat on full, blower motor on full and in recirculate mode for 10 minutes. Then spray this stuff on the evap core in short bursts for 2-3 minutes.
There is bulletin on this for some of the newer GM cars which also includes a hooking up module (ain't cheap) that cycles your blower motor on and off at high speed when the car is shut off.
There is bulletin on this for some of the newer GM cars which also includes a hooking up module (ain't cheap) that cycles your blower motor on and off at high speed when the car is shut off.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (Vince Ivanc)
i've seen this before and it's usually the drain that's plugged up. you might also have some crud in the a/c system on the evap ........... you may try removing the blower motor and looking in there . Someone did a post a few weeks ago on cleaning the area of the evap. That will hold moisture and maybe not dry......... Also make sure you don't have a water leak from the OUTSIDE/in.........that might be getting the carpet wet and the a/c could be picking up......... :seeya
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Re: (scorp508)
... Yeah, the TSB is: 53-12-12ADate: December, 1996
It is for 93-96, I have the same problem on my 96 Camaro. I decided to just live with it because the procedure in the TSB is way to much $$$.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (elite)
I had this problem with my 96 and took care of it with some simple green and a spray bottle...
On my 96 there is panel on top of the box with the A/C condenser... I removed the top and sprayed the core with simple green, let sit for about 30 minutes then flushed the box out with water... I put a drain pan under the car and caught about 1 qt of black water before it started running clean...
It did still smell like SG for about a week, but all I did was run the A/C constantly while driving with the windows down and the smell went away... It might be worth a shot... I was thinking that maybe dish detergent could also help without the SG fumes...
On my 96 there is panel on top of the box with the A/C condenser... I removed the top and sprayed the core with simple green, let sit for about 30 minutes then flushed the box out with water... I put a drain pan under the car and caught about 1 qt of black water before it started running clean...
It did still smell like SG for about a week, but all I did was run the A/C constantly while driving with the windows down and the smell went away... It might be worth a shot... I was thinking that maybe dish detergent could also help without the SG fumes...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Humble TX
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (vettmech)
Its like you said in the last sentence....I have a slight window leak that sometimes gets the carpet wet. How would I go about getting rid of the smell if thats the problem?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (elite)
Maybe carpet shampoo?......... does the car stay in a secure garage?...... maybe let it sit with the windows open or even the top off for a while after cleaning it real good. Last resort would be to pull the carpet and clean it real good and dry thoroghly. AND FIX THAT LEAK! I know .......easier said than done......... mine leaks so bad I feel I should keep soap in the car and take a bath in the CAR!!!! Oh have you drilled the hood latch supports?....... sometimes THEY fill with water and overflow into the car.:seeya
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
Re: Mildew smell when AC on (vettmech)
What's this about drilling the hood latch supports because they sometimes fill with water? :confused: :confused:
I'd really like to know more about this & which models could benifit from it.
Thanks,
David
I'd really like to know more about this & which models could benifit from it.
Thanks,
David
