A/C smell - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

revo1059 · 05-09-2017, 03:51 PM

Anybody else have a horrible A/C smell when turning it on after it's sat for awhile? Smells like a 10 year old gym shoe. The smell dissipates after a few minutes.

sengli · 05-09-2017, 04:26 PM

Yes no matter what vehicle it is. It always stinks like old musty basement, after it has sat for a period of time. Honestly I really try to not use my AC if I dont have to.

608RS · 05-09-2017, 05:09 PM

protip: after running the A/C, leave your fan blowing but turn off the A/C button...this will help get excess moisture out of your vents (which cause the smell you're describing). You can even turn the temp up a bit to help evaporate it! Do this for ~60 seconds.

Next time it's hot out and you have to run your A/C, do the above and feel your vents, you'll actually feel the condensation on the vent!

shibbs · 05-09-2017, 05:31 PM

I've heard this is because the AC drain is above the transmission, and many of them weren't installed correctly. The improper installation doesn't allow the water condensation to fully drain from the system.
My car has a similar problem. I've been meaning to get under there and fix it, but haven't gotten the time. (Completely forgot to do it when I had it in pieces to redo all the suspension stuff.)

jayno20 · 05-09-2017, 07:58 PM

My Cruze smells the same way. I've tried turning off the AC and letting the fan blow for a minute or 2 but it really doesn't seem to stop the smell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shibbs

I've heard this is because the AC drain is above the transmission, and many of them weren't installed correctly. The improper installation doesn't allow the water condensation to fully drain from the system.
My car has a similar problem. I've been meaning to get under there and fix it, but haven't gotten the time. (Completely forgot to do it when I had it in pieces to redo all the suspension stuff.)

I'm curious about this. Let us know what you find.

sbubbaklein · 05-09-2017, 09:35 PM

make sure you change the cabin air filter, you would be surprised how much debris it collects.

revo1059 · 05-10-2017, 07:50 AM

I've changed the cabin filter. Still stinks. I'll try leaving the fan running and see if that helps

blk 2013 · 05-10-2017, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 608RS

protip: after running the A/C, leave your fan blowing but turn off the A/C button...this will help get excess moisture out of your vents (which cause the smell you're describing). You can even turn the temp up a bit to help evaporate it! Do this for ~60 seconds.

Next time it's hot out and you have to run your A/C, do the above and feel your vents, you'll actually feel the condensation on the vent!

worked for me on a Tahoe I had

silversleeper · 05-14-2017, 05:36 PM

Yeah it helps to let it run on fan only before you park it from the trip if you can remember to do that. Some cars have a better drain inside the evaporator for the condensation. The chevy's I have all have this problem.
some places offer to spray a cleaning foam in there which would freshen it up only briefly.
Isn't the heater core in the same housing? Thinking if it bothers you enough you could kick on the heater for a couple minutes, the heat will help dry things out faster inside there. But if the drain is plugged etc, it won't dry well with just these tips.
Wonder if you see a drip on the ground after using AC for a trip then parking it? Might help indicate if the drain is working at all.

Snickers · 05-15-2017, 02:23 PM

Car makers say, to turn A/C off a few minutes before you park the car to avoid the smell, you shouldn't let A/C on at all times.

Now, the fun thing is, i tried this. I rarely use the A/C. Got the smell anyway.
A LOT of People i know don't bother and let the A/C run at all times. ALL of them don't have that smell.

I guess it is somewhat like the break in procedure. What the makers say and what really is good for your engine are way different.

Plus, to get rid of the smell, i just tried to spray a good amount of sanitizer onto the core after taking out the cabin filter.
Worked like a charm, smell is totally gone.

ChibiBlackSheep · 05-15-2017, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snickers

Plus, to get rid of the smell, i just tried to spray a good amount of sanitizer onto the core after taking out the cabin filter.
Worked like a charm, smell is totally gone.

I was going to recommend something similar. I have heard putting the AC on high and spray into the inlet at the cowl. Remember to keep the windows rolled down, and to let it run for about 15 minutes.

05-09-2017, 03:51 PM	#1
revo1059 Drives: Black 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 433	A/C smell Anybody else have a horrible A/C smell when turning it on after it's sat for awhile? Smells like a 10 year old gym shoe. The smell dissipates after a few minutes.

05-09-2017, 04:26 PM	#2
sengli Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: northern Indiana Posts: 948	Yes no matter what vehicle it is. It always stinks like old musty basement, after it has sat for a period of time. Honestly I really try to not use my AC if I dont have to. __________________ 2018 ZL1 Bright Yellow, A10, PDR, sunroof, carbon hood, and dash- sold 2020 2SS A10 sunroof..shock and steel special-traded 2015 commemorative vert 2ss

05-09-2017, 05:09 PM	#3
608RS Drives: 2015 2ss Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Carol Stream IL Posts: 638	protip: after running the A/C, leave your fan blowing but turn off the A/C button...this will help get excess moisture out of your vents (which cause the smell you're describing). You can even turn the temp up a bit to help evaporate it! Do this for ~60 seconds. Next time it's hot out and you have to run your A/C, do the above and feel your vents, you'll actually feel the condensation on the vent! __________________ 2015 Camaro 2ss, NicKey Performance built/tuned

05-09-2017, 09:35 PM	#6
sbubbaklein Drives: early 2011 Camaro convertible Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: House Springs, Mo Posts: 2,002 View My Garage	make sure you change the cabin air filter, you would be surprised how much debris it collects. __________________ Early 2011 LT Convertible, ZL1 bumper, hood, side skirts, belly pan and wheels, Truecarbon ECF hood extractor, K&N CAI, Elite catch can, Big Worm Bow Tie emblems, Jacfab bracket, Vitesse TC, BMR strut brace, BMR tunnel brace, NPP exhaust

05-15-2017, 02:23 PM	#10
Snickers Rumblebee Drives: ZL1 Rally Yellow Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 157	Car makers say, to turn A/C off a few minutes before you park the car to avoid the smell, you shouldn't let A/C on at all times. Now, the fun thing is, i tried this. I rarely use the A/C. Got the smell anyway. A LOT of People i know don't bother and let the A/C run at all times. ALL of them don't have that smell. I guess it is somewhat like the break in procedure. What the makers say and what really is good for your engine are way different. Plus, to get rid of the smell, i just tried to spray a good amount of sanitizer onto the core after taking out the cabin filter. Worked like a charm, smell is totally gone. __________________ '13 ZL1 Rally Yellow A6 Coupe From dusk till dawn, hammering the Autobahn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EReANdItaE0

05-10-2017, 07:50 AM	#7
revo1059 Drives: Black 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 433	I've changed the cabin filter. Still stinks. I'll try leaving the fan running and see if that helps

05-14-2017, 05:36 PM	#9
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,487	Yeah it helps to let it run on fan only before you park it from the trip if you can remember to do that. Some cars have a better drain inside the evaporator for the condensation. The chevy's I have all have this problem. some places offer to spray a cleaning foam in there which would freshen it up only briefly. Isn't the heater core in the same housing? Thinking if it bothers you enough you could kick on the heater for a couple minutes, the heat will help dry things out faster inside there. But if the drain is plugged etc, it won't dry well with just these tips. Wonder if you see a drip on the ground after using AC for a trip then parking it? Might help indicate if the drain is working at all.