Thread: AC Vinegar Smell
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Old 05-26-2011, 09:31 AM
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onehundred80
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Default Re: AC Vinegar Smell
Originally Posted by gurudog
I enquired about this before and tried some things that were suggested to clean out/get rid of a vinegar-y smell after using the ac and sometimes during...I have cleaned the under-dash filter; sprayed disinfectant (and Febreeze) into the near windshield intakes; and run the 'recirculated air for a time afer shutting the ac off...but as I begin to use ac this spring, same problem...btw...Where are the intake vents for 'recycled interior air'? Ideas...?
Your problem lies in the moulds and bacteria growing on the evaporator. The bacteria relies on the moist environment to prosper. Running the fan after using the air conditioner to dry it off would help, but who wants to sit in their car for half an hour.
The evaporator and the surrounding area needs to be cleaned with a bleach solution to destroy the bacteria, and thats not easy.
Replace the filter with the charcoal variety.
Legionnaire's disease is the worst case scenario with evaporators, but very highly unlikely.
 
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