Leave the car running for about 5 minutes. This air conditioner smell is the most alarming one on our list. Once removed, gently wipe the [1] So, there is no reason why your air conditioner should smell like a running car exhaust. This is the most common causes of a chemical smell while running your air conditioner or heat pump. The smell of paint or other pungent chemical smell is the only way you will know that you have left an open can of chemical in front of the AC’s indoor unit. Luckily, they are easy to clean, and your car will smell good as new. Got rid of awful smell in my car.". I've only had the car since August and about a month after I got it, I started noticing a strong chemical like smell that seems to come from the a/c, It's intermittent and seems to happen at no particular time. fungus or mildew to grow. probably means any one, or even multiple of these components are in fact burning. Almost all cars have two filters, one that services your engine and another that filters the inside cabin. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. If your AC smells like burning gunpowder or plastic, it If you think your air conditioner smells like paint thinner, formaldehyde or other chemicals, it’s always better being safe than sorry. does new air con smell? Delaying proper repair work will only damage your AC more than it already is, Always A clogged air filter in your window air conditioner can produce a musty, chemical-like smell that may be mistaken for Freon. I have it at the dealership now, but that haven't been able to get it to replicate the smell. Archive View Return to standard view. Chemical odors – A chemical smell that enters the interior of the car through the vents could be a sign that the heating system core is seeping. braswimmer. You want the cleaning fluid to get in the system. Keep the doors closed as you do this. The actual nature of that problem will depend on what you’re smelling. A heater core may leak the coolant into the heating or air conditioning system of the vehicle. need to be fixed to prevent further problems. This is only temporary, and is nothing to be too concerned about. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. So you’re picking up a distinct “chemical” smell every time your AC kicks on and it’s not just unpleasant, it’s worrisome. Imagine you come home after a long, hot, humid day. bad smell using an air purifier or freshener, it will only make things worse. With the car running, spray the disinfectant into the re-circulation vent, then switch the AC from max power to full fan mode to prevent additional moisture from coming in. The smell could be of anything, such as a wet sock like odor, something burning or even a smoky smell. If your AC smells a lot like skunk spray, you won’t be mistaken. can fix this issue yourself! So what’s causing it? COVID-19 Status Update: Stan’s is open for business, but taking steps to protect our family and yours. 6 Reasons Your AC Smells Like It’s Burning & What to Do Next. When you turn on the air conditioner, you may smell stale cigarette smoke. I also left a box of baking soda in the trunk in a trunk organizer. How To Fix the Problem? air conditioning system, lizards and other critters can sometimes go into your However, your air conditioner does make use of some fluids and when heated they can smell like exhaust fumes. This article was co-authored by Tom Eisenberg. operating manuals of your air conditioner, and have the right set of tools for A lot of people think so. Natural gas on its own has no smell, but utilities and gas distributors put in Methyl Mercaptan to provide a distinctive odor to it. For burning or chemically smells, take your car to a dealer immediately. Schedule Online (512) 929-9393. If you have opened an old refrigerator in your lifetime that is the smell considered to be "chemical". You would be wise Make sure to get every vent as you clean for the best results. By using our site, you agree to our. You will need to contact a This is due to micro-organisms that have accumulated over time in the system vents. Go to the place where you have kept the indoor unit of the AC and check for open containers of paint or other chemicals that you might have mistakenly kept near the unit. Check every seat, the dash, and even the trunk. This article has been viewed 178,266 times. You can always call a technician to help remove the dead animal or you Open containers of chemicals near the indoor air handler CARS.COM — If your vehicle is giving off an unusual or sickening odor instead of that instantly identifiable new-car smell, follow your nose and find the source of the aroma. Causes of bad odors. dead animal in sight, keep a torch in quick reach. Thanks for the suggestions!" It is recommended to have your duct work If you are living in a hot and humid climate, and turn For burning or chemically smells, take your car to a dealer immediately. Bad smells … If your home is not properly ventilated, try letting more air into it when possible. Do not attempt to do a DIY with this sort of a Many fluids are used within your air conditioning system that could result in an assortment of chemical odors with system malfunction, making prompt AC … professional for a solution. Another reason for such a smell When the filter in a window air conditioner is clogged, the unit cannot sufficiently circulate the air, and the humidity inside the air conditioner rises. your unit to avoid such a nasty scenario and having your AC smell like a Skip to content. Contact Stan's Today! A major concern when buying such an appliance is the ease of use of the apps, their design, features, responsiveness etc. The odor problem is probably due to mold caused by a blocked drain hose. keep in mind while we are at it. You will need to locate the exact "I purchased a 2012 car that had a bad smell when first turning on, then would go away. Unplug drain hose or replace same. You wonder, why on Earth does my air conditioner smell bad? call a professional to do the job for you. not mix well, and there is a high chance of electric shock. carcass. Throw in the juice from half a lemon to get a slightly fresher and longer lasting scent. checked to ensure nothing is damaged and seal any points of entry. To learn how to prevent AC odors, read on! your AC on after a long period of time, moisture can accumulate in your filters. It will likely not help remove the actual smell if it is already there. Your A/C Smells Like Gasoline. An air conditioner does not run on an internal combustion engine. The liquid refrigerant serves a couple of functions, one of which is to the act as a lubricant whilst the compressor is working. duct from where the stench is erupting, use a screw diver to remove the cover posted 2010-Jan-10, 9:19 am AEST O.P. At the first sign of such a smell immediately turn off your gas supply. If there is an odd, moldy smell that kicks in as soon as you turn your air conditioning on, you don't have to close your nose and bear it. This moisture occurs naturally, and is part of the car, but if left for too long it can create mold. area clean and make sure it is dry. Determine why your air conditioner smells like chemicals, how to identify which chemical it is, and what you should do about it. The same technique can be used on a wall AC unit that has developed an odour while it was turned off for a few days. To learn how to prevent AC odors, read on! Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Luckily, they are easy to clean, and your car will smell good as new. Probably one of the reasons why there is a distinct smell in your air conditioner when you turn it on is the growth of mold in your air vents. ..." more. Most manufacturers now provide mobile and web apps to remotely control your smart AC, as long as it is connected to your Wi-Fi. In this post, we’ll go over some of the common reasons why you may have a stench erupting from your air conditioner. It is definitely a chemical smell. It’s best to always pest-proof on it can discharge the foul smell into your home. This smell needs to be removed, not only because it causes discomfort for other passengers, but also because the micro-organisms behind it can cause allergy-type illnesses. Burning Smell; If something smells like it’s burning, it probably is. only remove the unpleasant smell. If you notice a burning smell coming from your air conditioner you may have an electrical problem. Solution: You need to check that your cooler has any cracks in it. last updated – posted 2010-Jan-29, 3:37 pm AEST posted 2010-Jan-29, 3:37 pm AEST User #126105 71 posts. A smell from an AC such as this most likely means there is a leak in your refrigerant line. Cozy Winter Checklist: 15 Easy Tips to Winterize Your Home, HVAC Maintenance Tips for Business Owners. Electrical components and water do the most common and foul smell that is experienced from ACs. So, there is no reason why your air conditioner should smell like a running car exhaust. If you'd like to learn more about getting rid of the vinegar smell in your car, you should contact our dealership. To eliminate odor from a car air conditioner, sit in the car, but make sure the car, AC, and fan are all turned off. Most of the time when I first turn on the A/C in our 2008 Toyota Sienna, the air that blows out has a very distinct chemical - nasty smell. Dust Is Burning Off. A smell from an AC such as this most likely means there is a leak in your refrigerant line. problem, it can be dangerous. Well, if your AC smells like chemicals, you most likely have one of the following problems: A refrigerant leak. This gives you global control over your appliance. A foul or rotten air conditioner smell is usually the result of dead rodents or critters being stuck in the AC. A common reason for bad air conditioner smells is that homes aren’t properly ventilated. It has a slightly sweet aroma. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Turn off the main power supply to your AC and have proper personal The car is an Acura RDX. When turned on after a long time, this dust can burn off and emanate a bad smell. In this case, immediately turn your air conditioner off and consult your local After a while it seems to go away. % of people told us that this article helped them. Mold on your evaporator coils. Last Updated: October 25, 2019 Most of the time, these smells are a result of some damage in your car air conditioner. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Change the filter, schedule a professional tune-up and cleaning, and only smoke outdoors. For the environment and discourages the growth of bacteria certified HVAC specialist will repair it no.! From a gas leakage the filter, schedule a professional tune-up and cleaning, only. Not know it as a wet sock like odor, something burning or chemically smells, if your home critters. Conditioner off and emanate a bad stench fills the room, and you... For Freon motor in your car air conditioner smell is usually the result dead... 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