AC stinks on startup
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
AC stinks on startup
the AC on my 98 coupe (48K miles) stinks like wet algae for the first minute or two when I first start it up. I've heard of the drain plug for the AC getting plugged, and I know that I do not have the "puddle" I am supposed to have under the car after turning the AC and the car off..........what all is involved in getting to and cleaning out the AC drain?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by Pewter Dream
the AC on my 98 coupe (48K miles) stinks like wet algae for the first minute or two when I first start it up. I've heard of the drain plug for the AC getting plugged, and I know that I do not have the "puddle" I am supposed to have under the car after turning the AC and the car off..........what all is involved in getting to and cleaning out the AC drain?
Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
Likes: 44
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1246715
But even if your drains are not clogged, it's not uncommon to have that musty smell come from the AC. The problem is that you are shutting off the car while there is moisture still in the system, and you probably have some mold growing. You may need to clean it (sometimes just spraying some Lysol in the air intakes along the windshield will suffice) to remove the funk. After it's cleared up, try shutting the AC off about 45 seconds-1 minute before you are planning to stop and turn the engine off, but with the fan still running (I do it when I'm about a half mile or so on my way home). This should allow enough time for the unit to dry out, and you won't have that musty smell coming back.
But even if your drains are not clogged, it's not uncommon to have that musty smell come from the AC. The problem is that you are shutting off the car while there is moisture still in the system, and you probably have some mold growing. You may need to clean it (sometimes just spraying some Lysol in the air intakes along the windshield will suffice) to remove the funk. After it's cleared up, try shutting the AC off about 45 seconds-1 minute before you are planning to stop and turn the engine off, but with the fan still running (I do it when I'm about a half mile or so on my way home). This should allow enough time for the unit to dry out, and you won't have that musty smell coming back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 5
I purchased a bottle of GM odor eliminator to take care of the stink. About every 3 months I spray some into the air intake vent. A bottle lasts me over a year and costs about $17. Wurth makes a product that works like a pesticide bomb. Petrol (sp?) has a three-can system that will do a good job...for about $100.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by 02Vert
Where exactly is that ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
Originally Posted by Cruncher
Open up the hood of your car. By the firewall, you'll see the black plastic trim piece, with a pattern of open squares. Just spray into the open squares. There are directions on the bottle of Odor Eliminator.
And us Florida residents should know a thing or two about humidity.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Originally Posted by cruisemon
My '98 has a musty smell on startup as well. GM makes a spray to inject into the plenum in the engine compartment just about in the center (service manual shows where to drill a 1/8" diameter hole and how to plug it). It is more than just a perfumed spray and actually kills mold, mildew, etc. I think the spray sells for about $15 or so. Sorry I don't have a part number, but I would expect a parts counter person to be able to find it.
Charlie
Charlie
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by blazeone
I don't have the manual, where do you drill the hole?
Charlie
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Ok,,,before you drill holes and spend a bunch of hard earned cash, try this:
There are THREE cowl drains on the drivers side of the car and one on the passengers side. If those drains are clogged with leaves, sticks and trash, your going to get a horrible musty smell just as you described. Give this a shot and see if it helps:
Examine the THREE DRAINS on the drivers side. See if there full of nasty leaf junk:
[IMG]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/bill327/DriversidecowldrainsII.jpg[/IMG]
If you squeeze the soft rubber udders and there hard, there full of crap and that stuff will really stink!!!
If there is lots of leaf matter in the area below the cowl, you may need to remove the cowl and clean that area out.
On the other side behind the battery, there is one single tube that is larger in diameter and much longer. I disconnect it from the top and blast water through it. If there is any trash in it, the water will blast it out the lower end:
The tube is long and reminds me of something that you see in a monster movie:
If you remove the tube, its tough to get it back in the same hole. It best to just spray water in the other end (upper end) of the hose.
Once the drains are clean, see if the smell is gone.
BC
There are THREE cowl drains on the drivers side of the car and one on the passengers side. If those drains are clogged with leaves, sticks and trash, your going to get a horrible musty smell just as you described. Give this a shot and see if it helps:
Examine the THREE DRAINS on the drivers side. See if there full of nasty leaf junk:
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/bill327/DriversidecowldrainsII.jpg[/IMG]
If you squeeze the soft rubber udders and there hard, there full of crap and that stuff will really stink!!!
If there is lots of leaf matter in the area below the cowl, you may need to remove the cowl and clean that area out.
On the other side behind the battery, there is one single tube that is larger in diameter and much longer. I disconnect it from the top and blast water through it. If there is any trash in it, the water will blast it out the lower end:
The tube is long and reminds me of something that you see in a monster movie:
If you remove the tube, its tough to get it back in the same hole. It best to just spray water in the other end (upper end) of the hose.
Once the drains are clean, see if the smell is gone.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Aug 23, 2006 at 10:59 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Bill,
Thanks for the info, I had already read your hints on the tech sticky thread. Mine did have stuff in the udders. But it still has a little musty smell on start up. The AC drain works as water drips on the floor as the unit runs so I am this point now.
While we are at it, any clues on how to loosen up the wipers for removal. The nuts came off fine but the arms are not budging.
Thanks for the info, I had already read your hints on the tech sticky thread. Mine did have stuff in the udders. But it still has a little musty smell on start up. The AC drain works as water drips on the floor as the unit runs so I am this point now.
While we are at it, any clues on how to loosen up the wipers for removal. The nuts came off fine but the arms are not budging.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
I sprayed some good disinfecting cleaner in the vents and it REALLY improved things...........those two bladders on the drivers side are easily accessable too. I will have to get to that one hose under the battery some other time, as there is still no water draining out after being parked, so I worry about that..........thanks to all those who replied. This froum is great for info like this!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
While under warranty, the dealer reprogrammed the fans. Now, they come on periodically after shut down to circulate the air. Seems to work.
I don't know if they put in the anti mold stuff, or not.
If you have warranty left, and can combine it with another fix, it's worth it.
I don't know if they put in the anti mold stuff, or not.
If you have warranty left, and can combine it with another fix, it's worth it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by wamara
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1246715
But even if your drains are not clogged, it's not uncommon to have that musty smell come from the AC. The problem is that you are shutting off the car while there is moisture still in the system, and you probably have some mold growing. You may need to clean it (sometimes just spraying some Lysol in the air intakes along the windshield will suffice) to remove the funk. After it's cleared up, try shutting the AC off about 45 seconds-1 minute before you are planning to stop and turn the engine off, but with the fan still running (I do it when I'm about a half mile or so on my way home). This should allow enough time for the unit to dry out, and you won't have that musty smell coming back.
But even if your drains are not clogged, it's not uncommon to have that musty smell come from the AC. The problem is that you are shutting off the car while there is moisture still in the system, and you probably have some mold growing. You may need to clean it (sometimes just spraying some Lysol in the air intakes along the windshield will suffice) to remove the funk. After it's cleared up, try shutting the AC off about 45 seconds-1 minute before you are planning to stop and turn the engine off, but with the fan still running (I do it when I'm about a half mile or so on my way home). This should allow enough time for the unit to dry out, and you won't have that musty smell coming back.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by Pewter Dream
I sprayed some good disinfecting cleaner in the vents and it REALLY improved things...........those two bladders on the drivers side are easily accessable too. I will have to get to that one hose under the battery some other time, as there is still no water draining out after being parked, so I worry about that..........thanks to all those who replied. This froum is great for info like this!
It's much smaller than the ones shown in Bill's photos. If it is blocked, your evap core housing will fill with condensed water and the passenger floor carpet will get wet so it's worth checking every time you lift the car for maintenance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Paris Hilton's Dog
There is another drain tube that allows water to exit the evaporator core housing and drain onto the ground. You need to get under the vehicle to check it. It's located on the passesnger side of the transmission tunnel immediately to the rear of the right cylinder head. You need to reach up and feel around for it. I tried to get to it from the the top but wasn't able to reach, maybe some people could get to it but it's very difficult to see from above.
It's much smaller than the ones shown in Bill's photos. If it is blocked, your evap core housing will fill with condensed water and the passenger floor carpet will get wet so it's worth checking every time you lift the car for maintenance.
It's much smaller than the ones shown in Bill's photos. If it is blocked, your evap core housing will fill with condensed water and the passenger floor carpet will get wet so it's worth checking every time you lift the car for maintenance.
It looks just like this:
And it lives here:
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Aug 30, 2006 at 08:05 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
looks like a upcoming project for me before the winter comes. 
Thanks for all the detailed photos. I know this has been posted before but its a good reminder for others
Thanks for all the detailed photos. I know this has been posted before but its a good reminder for others