how do you get rid of odor from A/C or fan?

[J_STATUS]

When I turn on the A/C or just the fan (for about 1 minute) it smells bad like typical air conditioning odor. How do you get rid of that? Should I replace the cabin filter?

[Loren]

Two things that usually work for me...

1. Turn the heater to high and cook the micro-organisms for 10- 15 minutes.

2. Take the pollen filter out and spray Lysol in the intake with the blower running on high (don't over do it unless you really like the smell of Lysol).

[wvicary]

Also be sure the drains are clear and there is no water/rotting leaves and such in the front cowl area. You can also buy a dedicated spray to deodorize the evaporator core.

[BReyes]

I just removed battery etc to service (ie clean) in there. Not a lot of leaves in there but a dozen or so.. The drain holes are plastic -careful- hard to see.their in and out. Cabin filter more dirty than I like.Everything looks clean so far, eg a/c, heater hoses.

The heater core is deep in there.

Regards,

..

[JFP in PA]

Works every time.............

[J_STATUS]

I will try your inputs. Thanks a lot!

[Bruce in Philly]

It is possible that your heat exchanger / heater core has a small leak. I had that and even two mechanics smelled it and said it was mold and leaves. If you try the sprays and it doesn't last long, as for me, then it may be the exchanger. Easy to do yourself.

Bruce