Hey everybody. I have read numerous older threads and have learned a lot about how this C5 air conditioner stink issue is really common. I appreciate everyone who has attempted to help us fellow C5 owners on how to handle this. However I have literally tried everything from febreze sprays in the ducts to foams to drying out the system with running it on high heat for extended periods and, nothing. Still has that distgusting soak mold smell. not having a cabin air filter is part of the problem, but we must work around it. Does anybody have a step by step video on how to access the evaporator core so I can legit spray the crap out of it with foam products and hopefully eliminate the issue? I can't find any videos anywhere. The foam products that you are supposed to use I have found very challenging to use because access to the drain line is so high under the car and reaching in even with small hands and feeding those little foam lines high up there is nearly impossible. I fear it will be over $1000 at the dealership to get this fixed and that's just too much. Is there a way to access the evaporator core from the passenger side? Like under the foot area below the glove box? Any help I would really appreciate. I have a 2002 C5.

Thanks so much

Corey

 

Have you removed the Windshield Cowl Cover and check the rubber drain udders for blockage and slime/gook. (Three on the drivers side and one BIG one on the passengers side)

If you select RECIRC, does the smell get better or stay the same?

When the water backs up in that cowl well it can smell real bad and guess what?? That's where the AC Fresh Air comes from.

YES you can access the HVAC Air plenum from the passengers foot well. Remove the HVAC Fan and you can feel the air space in front of the heater core. Sometimes trash builds up there and it can mildew.

Hope this helps.

Bill

 

Bill

thanks so much for replying. I will attempt these fixes this afternoon and let you know what I find.

 

The odor is worse when I put the AC in recirculate. I have just finished putting a can of "kool it" AC cleaner foam it up the air drain and I cleaned and cleared all 4 udders of the incredible amount of debris that was blocked in there. It was interesting taking the battery and windshield wipers out. Unfortunately the car still has an odor but like I mentioned, it is more noticeable in Recirculate mode but it seems to have improved overall. I will know more for sure as I drive the car in different climates over the next few days. Do you have other suggestions for the DIY to check?

Thanks everyone for your tips

 

Moving this to C5 Tech.