A/C Smell

[OrangeCrush]

Took delivery of 2023 Lariat in Dec. Spring is here and starting to use the AC. Noticed the mold/musty smell from the A/C some times. It doesn't happen always and I can't find a pattern. Did anyone else notice this? Any ideas on the causes and solutions?

I had similar issue with a Lexus in the past. I was told it was due to mold growth on the evaporator. Essentially, after turning the car off, condensate will form on it due to residual cold and that will just "sit" there attracting mold. Don't know if it similar issue on this. Hope it is not as it was essentially a design flaw.

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[YankeeCP]

Took delivery of 2023 Lariat in Dec. Spring is here and starting to use the AC. Noticed the mold/musty smell from the A/C some times. It doesn't happen always and I can't find a pattern. Did anyone else notice this? Any ideas on the causes and solutions?

I had similar issue with a Lexus in the past. I was told it was due to mold growth on the evaporator. Essentially, after turning the car off, condensate will form on it due to residual cold and that will just "sit" there attracting mold. Don't know if it similar issue on this. Hope it is not as it was essentially a design flaw.

My buddy had this issue on his Tesla and was a nasty filter. Would be strange on a new truck but perhaps worth a look

 

[SmoothJ]

You can always try Lysol spray in the air intake too. Shouldn’t have that smell in a new car though.

 

[queuewho]

My buddy had this issue on his Tesla and was a nasty filter. Would be strange on a new truck but perhaps worth a look

My model 3 had this once a year and I'd use the foaming stuff on the coils, replace the filter, and it would keep it away for a while.

I have noticed it in my lightning once, and it smelled similar. I think the key is to turn off the ac button when you get home/close to it. It will let the coils get warmed to ambient temps while staying dry and helping to evaporate/prevent the condensation so it doesn't just sit in there until the next time you use your truck.

I think to get rid of the smell you could try kool it, which is what used to work on my model 3.

Ford could put an update out to run the fan a bit after turning off the truck. This would help prevent it.

 

[Pioneer74]

I always turn turn the AC off when I pull onto my road. Gives the HVAC system a couple of minutes to blow warmer air through the system before I shut my vehicles off. Haven't had a stinky HVAC unit since I started doing this.

 

[Henry Ford]

Where are the folks with stinky AC located? I've never had this and I've never done anything to avoid it. I'm in Michigan.

 

[Pioneer74]

Where are the folks with stinky AC located? I've never had this and I've never done anything to avoid it. I'm in Michigan.

I'm in SE Michigan. Last vehicle I had a problem with stinky AC was a 2003 Focus about 15 or so years ago. Has to have the ducts sanitized a couple of times to get rid of the smell.

 

[OrangeCrush]

Ford could put an update out to run the fan a bit after turning off the truck. This would help prevent it.

@Ford Motor Company this is a simple fix that could avoid a lot of warranty calls (that doesn't fix it anyway). Always wondered why this simple fix is not used by all manufacturers.

 

[OrangeCrush]

Checked the filter and it is not bad. I will try to clean the evaporator coils. Does anyone know where they are located and where the A/C drain is? Thanks

 

[dovetaildan]

I have noticed a smell, not bad but different, but it only seemed to occur after going over a certain speed. Was wondering if it was related to the active air dam in the front closing/opening.

 

[SilverBrewer]

Every ford I’ve ever had does this. I just turn off the AC and let the fan run a bit before I get out.

 

[scruvs]

I have this issue and notice it every time I start the truck. I'm currently at 25k miles and have noticed it for 10k - 15k miles. It has gotten more frequent over time, and now I smell it at every startup.

Has anyone had any luck with a warranty claim? If so, what was the fix?

 

[RocketGhost]

I don't have this problem.

I had a Saturn coupe back in the day. It had an "afterblow" feature. Ten minutes after turning off the car it would run the cabin fan for a few minutes to dry off the evaporator to clear up the moldy smell. I don't know of other vehicles do this, but it is a solution that could be implemented. But I could see how they would want to avoid it. You don't want things turning on by themselves unexpectantly.

 

[Madtroniks]

What helps the most for me in all my vehicles is to stop using the AC couple minutes before my destination, pull in fresh air and maybe even in turn up the temp to dry up all the HVAC vents / heater / evaporator box.

You can always perform a deep cleaning, change cabin filter and run an ozone machine.

 

[scruvs]

I've started implementing the best practices based on the info in this forum.

But, I'm still trying to go the warranty route for this issue to clean up the current mold/mildew.

So, far they quoted me $200 over the phone before diagnosing to clean the coils and said it wasn't covered under warranty. I declined and asked them to make an appointment to diagnose the issue. I'm surprised its not a warranty claim.

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