Slight smell in A/C

Tiny
INMYHEART28
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 25,200 MILES
When I turn my A/C on high the first Eiffel of the air conditioning had a slight smell. Not a bad smell but a minor smell. Is this normal beverage it’s outside air and then recycled or is it a problem?
Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 7:40 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
INMYHEART28
  • MEMBER
  • 223 POSTS
My A/C filter is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Is this probably the issue? The smell goes away after the A/C has been run. I had not turned on my car in 2 days.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 7:46 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
In short the filter can cause this. However, does it smell sweet? If it does then this could be coolant. If this is coolant then that means your heater core is leaking. However, this normally does not go away in a short time.

So I suspect this is either the air filter or there is some growth on the evaporator.

I would start with replacing the cabin air filter before you do anything else.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-an-air-cabin-filter

Below you will find the process from the manual that will give the specific info needed to replace this.

You can also try and clean HVAC housing using a chemical. These are not the easiest as you have to drill a hole in the housing and then install a fitting and spray it in.

There are many videos online. Just Google Clean your Automotive HVAC system

Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 4:55 PM

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