C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Full HVAC cleaning

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 10, 2022 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
charles_b's Avatar
charles_b
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default Full HVAC cleaning

I have a 1998 that sat in a leaky trailer for a long time. The interior was covered in mold. I have everything cleaned up except the HVAC. I'm going to replace the cabin filter but is there anything else I can do to make sure there is no mold? The AC unit should be OK because it hasn't been used so the moldy air wasn't cycled through it. I would think it would be ok anyway?

I have an ozone machine. I used that just to sanitize the air and surfaces in the car before I cleaned it. Could I crank the car and cycle the HVAC on and run the ozone again? I don't want to have to take the dash or HVAC system apart if I don't have to.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2022 | 11:10 PM
  #2  
Gixxerman's Avatar
Gixxerman
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,264
Likes: 4,207
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Default

Try Here
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2022 | 11:12 PM
  #3  
Vader_C5's Avatar
Vader_C5
Melting Slicks
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 1,438
From: New Jersey
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '25
Default

There is no cabin air filter.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2022 | 11:45 PM
  #4  
Vette-kid's Avatar
Vette-kid
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Default

I would think you week want to clean the ducts as much as possible. I'd remove the vent covers and try to get a brush of something in there as far as you could. Like a plumber snake, but more flexible with a brush head. I wouldn't mess around when it comes to mold. Especially in the HVAC, you don't want to breathe that stuff in! Even if you have to pull it apart.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2022 | 01:13 AM
  #5  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,324
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Moved to C5 Tech.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2022 | 03:30 PM
  #6  
UM Rebel's Avatar
UM Rebel
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Default

Turn AC on set to high fan an recirculate. Close windows. Set off on of these. Come back in an hour.


Reply
Old Jun 11, 2022 | 06:41 PM
  #7  
bookyoh's Avatar
bookyoh
Pro
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 275
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Default

My DIY for the musty smell you can get when first turning on the a/c is a full can of Lysol spray through the air inlet in recirc mode, high blower, a/c off. Your issue sounds more extreme but this will get Lysol blowing through your evaporator and the ducts.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2022 | 08:26 PM
  #8  
charles_b's Avatar
charles_b
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Vader_C5
There is no cabin air filter.
Oh, ok.. thanks for the heads up.

Originally Posted by Vette-kid
I would think you week want to clean the ducts as much as possible. I'd remove the vent covers and try to get a brush of something in there as far as you could. Like a plumber snake, but more flexible with a brush head. I wouldn't mess around when it comes to mold. Especially in the HVAC, you don't want to breathe that stuff in! Even if you have to pull it apart.
I don't smell much coming form the vents so I was hoping it wasn't too deep but I guess its better safe than sorry even if I do have to take it all apart..

I'm hoping nothing got into the compressor since it was never on. Not 100% on how the airflow works. I ran the fan with the AC Off for a while with the ozone ionizer today.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Full HVAC cleaning

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:25 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE