A/C Smell

[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.

The dealership advised me that they notice mold. They said the cleaning/deodorizing service was not covered by warranty. They ultimately decided to comp the service.

I'm not sure the exact service they provided because I didn't receive paperwork.

It smelled better for one week, but the mold/mildew smell is back.

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[Maquis]

The dealership advised me that they notice mold. They said the cleaning/deodorizing service was not covered by warranty. They ultimately decided to comp the service.

I'm not sure the exact service they provided because I didn't receive paperwork.

It smelled better for one week, but the mold/mildew smell is back.

Sounds like they sprayed FeBreeze or similar in the system which masks the smell for a while, but doesn’t get rid of the root cause.

 

[umbrop]

23 Lariat with 23K miles. I noticed the smell just over the past few weeks. Tried some of the suggestions here (turning AC off before getting home) but that doesn't seem to help. I noticed that the smell is primarily right after startup and will go away pretty quick if I turn the AC on. If I leave the AC off and fans on, the smell lingers. I am going to bring it up to the service advisor on my next visit.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

23 Lariat with 23K miles. I noticed the smell just over the past few weeks. Tried some of the suggestions here (turning AC off before getting home) but that doesn't seem to help. I noticed that the smell is primarily right after startup and will go away pretty quick if I turn the AC on. If I leave the AC off and fans on, the smell lingers. I am going to bring it up to the service advisor on my next visit.

Hi there. This A/C smell concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Lightning truck. Should you need further assistance, please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer and I'd be happy to see how I can assist you on my end. To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation".

 

[Tom M]

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.

I live in a humid climate and had a similar problem. The condensation from the air conditioning drips across a foam seal that is on the passenger side firewall. Try this: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10168762-0001.pdf

 

[SoCalLightning]

I have that smell, too. Unlike my other vehicles, I do not notice any draining or wet floors when the A/C runs hard on a hot day and you just pull over to the side. I think it's making me sick. I have changed the cabin filter a few times, but the smell seems to be during startup only and not always consistent. Maybe it's because I use the warm up feature to air out some of it before my initial start. Has anyone fixed this? I told my dealer, and they said they could not smell it when I had my tailgate step replaced on a warranty claim. I have 13k on my truck.

 

[Calson]

The Fabreze product is designed to remove smells and I used this in the cab of my last truck where a mouse had built a nest. A single application fixed it 100% and odor never returned. I spent $10 and an hour of my time and problem fixed.

 

[Henry Ford]

I have that smell, too. Unlike my other vehicles, I do not notice any draining or wet floors when the A/C runs hard on a hot day and you just pull over to the side. I think it's making me sick. I have changed the cabin filter a few times, but the smell seems to be during startup only and not always consistent. Maybe it's because I use the warm up feature to air out some of it before my initial start. Has anyone fixed this? I told my dealer, and they said they could not smell it when I had my tailgate step replaced on a warranty claim. I have 13k on my truck.

If it's not dripping while the A/C is running the drain is probably clogged. Static water will create mold and a smell.

 

[SoCalLightning]

Dealer is stating that the F-150 lighting does not have condensation drainage.

 

[Henry Ford]

Dealer is stating that the F-150 lighting does not have condensation drainage.

Did they offer an opinion on where the condensation goes?

I'm certainly not an HVAC expert but in my observation AC creates condensation and it has to go somewhere. In vehicles it has traditionally gone on the ground. In F150s it has traditionally gone on the ground behind the right front tire.

It's too cold and dry in Michigan right now or I'd search for the AC puddle on my truck.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Dealer is stating that the F-150 lighting does not have condensation drainage.

I hope that was the opinion of a poorly trained salesmen and not a service advisor or technician!

 

[SoCalLightning]

I hope that was the opinion of a poorly trained salesmen and not a service advisor or technician!

It was a service advisor. I went back and forth with him. It’s in the shop now for my over due 10k service and he will have a tech check it out to verify that the ac condensation line does drain, “if it exist on the lightning”. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[scruvs]

“if it exist on the lightning”.

Spotted one here. Behind the front passenger side wheel well liner.

 

[NoOctane]

The drain identified by scruvs is indeed the answer. I’ve had the horrible a/c odor for months and finally eliminated it today. I put a new cabin air filter in there before proceeding. The products I used are Kool-It evaporator coil cleaner, and Frigi-Fresh. Just park with your wheels turned hard over left, and sneak under the passenger side front wheel well. Look up toward the firewall and gently pull the well liner back an inch and you’ll see the drain. Feed the Kool-it applicator tube in, hook up the can, dispense the full can (took maybe 10 seconds), and pull the tube out. Wait 15 min (foam/liquid will drain) and then start the truck and turn on the a/c on low. Disable “driver focused” so all the vents open. Run the a/c a few min. Then, turn the fan to high, get out, and zap the fresh air intake (cowl center and passenger side, below the wipers) with the Frigi-Fresh. Let the system run a few minutes. Open the doors and let it air out a minute or two and job done. Some bubbles might come out the vents but that is inconsequential. It’s crazy how well the products worked.

 

[SoCalLightning]

Spotted one here. Behind the front passenger side wheel well liner.

Thank you for this! I know where to start now.

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