Mildew/Musty/Moisture Smell Upon Fan/AC turning On

[queuewho]

Model 3's have this issue as well but it was much worse. I used kool-it to clean its insides. With my truck, I always turn off the AC a couple minutes from home, or I let it run in my garage while unloading, with the AC button toggled off.

Sponsored

 

[scruvs]

I've been a Ford owner for eons, the problem developed on all my former trucks....
Tips from my favorite PowerStroke technician!!

I was scared to drill the hole through the plastic like that Powerstroke tech.

So, I ordered this less-expensive product from Amazon:
Kool-It

It has a hose that inserts up through the A/C drain opening underneath the truck. The entire contents of the can are dispensed as a foam through the A/C drain. Wait 15 minutes, then turn the A/C on low for five minutes.

My thoughts and things I learned:
This Kool-It product smells like spearmint gum. It definitely fills the entire A/C system with foam. After five minutes, I turned my A/C on high and foam was blowing through the vents in my face. So, I switched it to low for another 10-15 minutes. It's hard to tell how much gunk is removed from the evaporator because the discharged foam drips all over the frame of the truck before landing in the catch pan, or more often, on the tarp next to the catch pan. Inserting the product through the drain did not require the cabin air filter to be removed. I checked the cabin air filter afterwards, and it was not wet.

Below are images of the A/C drain. The drain is located behind the front, passenger wheel well liner. If you lie down behind the front, passenger tire and pull the wheel well liner toward the outside of the vehicle, you'll see the drain. See images below.

Definitely place a tarp under your catch pan. This stuff drips everywhere. Next time, I'll wear safety glasses. A lot of debris falls from the wheel well liner. I'll wear latex gloves next time because the spray top doesn't attach all that well to the canister for the product, so some leaks onto hands.

I'm hoping to get a couple months of good smelling air out of it, but I'm going to order another one or two cans to have on deck when it's time.

Edit: When I reordered, I decided to try this Kool-It product below because it describes the scent as "Fresh" instead of "Mild Spearmint," and I'm curious if it's a different fragrance.
Kool-It Fresh 2-pack

 

[zinkscott]

I just started experiencing this.

 

[62F1004x4]

I just started experiencing this.

Same here, maybe the time of year when AC is not used as much? Not enjoying the musty smells.

 

[zinkscott]

Same here, maybe the time of year when AC is not used as much? Not enjoying the musty smells.

I didn’t have this problem, been using AC all summer. Dropped it off for CSP and it’s been about a month since I’ve used AC and it started happening. Gonna try the Kool-it kit.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Same here, maybe the time of year when AC is not used as much? Not enjoying the musty smells.

Hi David! I can look into your Lightning's concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your Lightning's VIN?

 

[62F1004x4]

Hi David! I can look into your Lightning's concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your Lightning's VIN?

Thanks for the quick response Ford Motors! I sent a PM.

 

[zinkscott]

Thanks for the quick response Ford Motors! I sent a PM.

One of us got a reply

 

[scruvs]

One of us got a reply

I’ll be curious what your dealership says. My dealership says it’s not covered by warranty because it’s caused by the outside environment. They quoted me $200 to treat the A/C. We went back and forth for a couple of minutes and the dealership generously comped the treatment service. The A/C smelled good for a week, but didn’t fix the problem.

 

[Hceren]

I recently traded in my 2023 Lightning Lariat for the 2024 version (better monthly payment; better warranty).

I experienced the smell issue with my 2023 but haven't had any issues with the new truck just yet. I would even have the smell sometimes before turning on the air. I fully believe there was an issue with a seal somewhere in the car as well as water getting trapped somewhere in the cooling system.

Will be interested to see how this is resolved.

 

[RocketGhost]

The fabric mesh windscreen of the sunroof will mildew. I have the smell too, not sure if that's the culprit, but when I put my nose up to it I definitely smell the funk. I have to think that most of the smell is coming from somewhere else. Fortunately I have a garage so when it gets stinky I park it with the windows down and sunroof open.

Sponsored