03600

New to Vettes and didn't know if this may be a common problem or not. Did a search and didn't really come up with much so please excuse me if it's been posted / answered before.

I've got an 06 C6 coupe with 25,000 miles and anytime I turn on the climate control (heat or cool) the air coming out of the vents has a definite mildew smell to it. Just like an old wet towel that's been sitting in a damp corner for several days....or grandma's basement on a hot humid day.....

When it's off or when the car has been sitting all closed up for extended periods or overnight, there's no bad smell at all and it still smells like new leather and plastic (new car smell).

It's only when air is coming out of the vents. Any suggestions on how to fix or what it could be? Could condensate be stuck in the vent tubes (like a sink trap) and that old water is what's giving off the smell? The car was bought out of Houston via Ebay....would the Texas extreme humidity have anything to do with this?

Any help or suggestions would be most apprecitated!
Thanks!
Eric

keyplyr

Might consider changing the cabin air filter.

CSIXVET

My 06 C6 coupe does the same thing, in fact all of my cars have done this.

I think is it the wet/dark confines of the A/C system that allows stuff to grow (and therefore stink) and so when we crank it up, out comes the funk.

vetsvett

Yep. dont just clean it though, throw it away and buy a new one and see if that gets rid of the smell.

VET4LES

One trick is to turn the A/C off a few miles before shutting the engine off. That gives the system a chance to dry out. I do this on all my cars. My C6 is three years old and have not had the problem.

socalenergyman

where is this filter located

darv

there is product you can buy at parts stores to get rid of that smell first what you do is take your air filter out turn heat an hight run car wait tell it gets hot air then you spray that stuff in the inlet for a couple of mins and then turn the ac wait tell it gets cold then repeat the above make shure you have all windows open do not breathe this not good for you . what you are doing is killing all the mirco bugs on heater core you may have to do it a couple of times this should clear up your problem if you can not find this stuff you can get it at canadian tire & auto zone the reason i know about this stuff is because my daughter has alallergy i do not have can at this time to tell you guys the name sorry

03600

I just pulled out the manual and found the cabin air filter. It's just behind the battery for those that don't know. Two little spring latches pop out of the way and the rectangular door comes right off and the filter can be removed.

Sad to say that while I do need a fresh / new filter in there....I took a good whiff and smelled absolutely no mildew smell. BUMMER! It's definitely not coming from that filter.

RogerC6

I try not to Fart in mine......

03600

Just found this on WikiAnsers.....I'll give it a try and report back with results. Gonna try Lysol first since that is an antibacterial.

How can you fix a car air conditioner that puts out a bad smell for 2-3 minutes when you first turn on the air conditioner?
In: Heating AC and Engine Cooling, Car Smells

Answer
The newer R-134a systems are more prone to developing mold problems than the previous R-12 systems. To get the same cooling, manufacturers had to pack more coils and fins into the same space. Those fins trap the condensation and bacteria and before you know it, you've got a science experiment growing in your car. To make matters worse, the mold turns into slime and clogs up the drain tube. Then you've got a toxic swimming pool. So first, you have to find the drain tube and make sure it's open and draining. Look for water puddles under your car-that means it's draining. If it isn't, you'll have to clean it out. Next, you'll have to inject a bacterial agent into the A/C case. You can use Lysol type cleaners, but they really don't do a good job over the long term. I've had pretty good luck with this product: http://www.airsept.com/index.php?loadmod=ac Lastly, it helps if you turn off your A/C and let the fan run for a few minutes after you've used it. That helps evaporate some of the water on the coils. Rick I'm a retired ASE Master/L-1 Technician. I still keep current with the latest automotive technology. Visit my blog for cool articles and TSB's: http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com

So...I'm off to Wal-Mart! I knew if I tried hard enough I would find an excuse to get the Vette out today!

marct6444

I just had my 05 at the dealer for the same issue. They had a bulletin and ran something through the system and programmed an afterblow feature which will allow the air system to run after you turn the car off and dry things out. So far it seams to have worked fine.

Scubaholic

I've been having the same issue and I can tell you it is definitely NOT the cabin air filter. I have an '06 Vert with 13,000 miles. The mildew smell does go away after about 30 seconds. I might try the Airsept that was recommended a couple of posts ago. Seems like that could be the answer.

Scooty Puff Sr.

I had this issue in my SUV and a minivan that we own. Down at our local full service carwash they offer a "defunking" service for the AC. I forget what the official name was, but it was about $20 and took 20-30 minutes. I had both done a year ago and it fixed the problem.

johnodrake

The culprit is mildew growing on the evaporator coils. BMWs are notorious for this. Sometimes Lysol sprayed into the system works. I found that a mild solution of bleach worked on my BMW. One caveat with the bleach. After a few days my A/C fan would not run at full speed. I sprayed WD-40 into the system and it has been fine since (that was over 2 years ago now.) There are several commercial products that you can spray into the evap box and clean it out, but each requires that you drill an access hole and I haven't gotten the cajones to do that yet.

RRVettes

It is in the engine bay, behind the battery. Here is a thread on this topic.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1929988

C7GrandSport

It has absolutely nothing to do with the filter. I only wish it was that easy to fix!

PappyTinker

You might try this stuff;

http://www.autodax.com/catalog/pdetail.php?prdid=40

There is also a foam that is sprayed into the AC coils that loosens the gook and allows it to flow out the drain.

AORoads

exactly! I do this whenever I start smelling that smell. Cures it every time.

GARYFINN

This is the REAL answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

trooper1042

I was told many years ago that the smell is moisture sitting in the vents. Heres what I was told and it worked. Do not use the cycle that brings in outside air--use the recycle --it does a couple of things-first it will cause the fan to run at a higher speed and second I don't remember.

Try it a couple of times - couldn't hurt