Problem with smelling air conditioning

  • Thread starter Thread starter Victek
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Victek

My 2003 Elantra GLS recently developed an unpleasant smell in the cabin. I
narrowed it down to the air conditioner (didn't seem to have anything to do
with the fresh air vents). I washed out the engine compartment, made sure
the drains where the windshield meets the hood were clear and checked to see
if there was an air filter behind the glove box (in the fax compartment)
that needed replacing (there wasn't a filter installed). The smell has been
reduced, but I never found anything so I don't know what caused it and more
importantly if there is somewhere else I should be looking - any ideas?
 
Victek said:
My 2003 Elantra GLS recently developed an unpleasant smell in the cabin.
I narrowed it down to the air conditioner (didn't seem to have anything to
do with the fresh air vents). I washed out the engine compartment, made
sure the drains where the windshield meets the hood were clear and checked
to see if there was an air filter behind the glove box (in the fax
compartment) that needed replacing (there wasn't a filter installed). The
smell has been reduced, but I never found anything so I don't know what
caused it and more importantly if there is somewhere else I should be
looking - any ideas?
Click to expand...

The AC is not draining properly, or their is just a buildup of gun over the
past few years. This is a common occurrence with cars. Be sure the drain
is working, then spray a disinfectant into the intake while the fan is
running on low.
 
My 2003 Elantra GLS recently developed an unpleasant smell in the cabin. I
narrowed it down to the air conditioner (didn't seem to have anything to do
with the fresh air vents). I washed out the engine compartment, made sure
the drains where the windshield meets the hood were clear and checked to see
if there was an air filter behind the glove box (in the fax compartment)
that needed replacing (there wasn't a filter installed). The smell has been
reduced, but I never found anything so I don't know what caused it and more
importantly if there is somewhere else I should be looking - any ideas?
Click to expand...

Does it smell like fart or rotten eggs? If so, it could be you need
your cabin air filter to be replaced. After I replaced mine (looked
like the lungs of a person who'd been smoking for 30 years), the smell
was gone. Have you had your cabin air filter changed out? If so, then
the try out what Edwin said. If not, it's pretty easy to do if you are
handy with a screwdriver and can follow directions. I can send you a
PDF of how to do it if you'd like.

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Thee Chicago Wolf said:
Does it smell like fart or rotten eggs? If so, it could be you need
your cabin air filter to be replaced. After I replaced mine (looked
like the lungs of a person who'd been smoking for 30 years), the smell
was gone. Have you had your cabin air filter changed out? If so, then
the try out what Edwin said. If not, it's pretty easy to do if you are
handy with a screwdriver and can follow directions. I can send you a
PDF of how to do it if you'd like.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Regarding the cabin filter, is that the one that's
supposed to be above the fan, behind the glove box or is it somewhere else?
Is there a way I can get the PDF you mentioned from a web site or a forum
that allows binaries?
 
My 2003 Elantra GLS recently developed an unpleasant smell in the cabin.
The AC is not draining properly, or their is just a buildup of gun over
the past few years. This is a common occurrence with cars. Be sure the
drain is working, then spray a disinfectant into the intake while the fan
is running on low.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll have to checkout the drain - are there any pictures on the web
that show the location?
 
Thanks for the reply. Regarding the cabin filter, is that the one that's
supposed to be above the fan, behind the glove box or is it somewhere else?
Is there a way I can get the PDF you mentioned from a web site or a forum
that allows binaries?
Click to expand...

It is the one behind the glove box and yes, here's a link of a PDF of
how to do it: http://www.neiu.edu/~scs/elantra-cabin-air-filter.pdf

Let me know when you have the file or have printed it out. I will
delete it in 24 hours otherwise.

I bought a new cabin air filter from Autozone. I think it only cost
around $20 with tax and it was a Bosch brand filter. It was
brainlessly easy to install with the directions.

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Thanks for the reply. Regarding the cabin filter, is that the one that's
It is the one behind the glove box and yes, here's a link of a PDF of
how to do it: http://www.neiu.edu/~scs/elantra-cabin-air-filter.pdf

Let me know when you have the file or have printed it out. I will
delete it in 24 hours otherwise.

I bought a new cabin air filter from Autozone. I think it only cost
around $20 with tax and it was a Bosch brand filter. It was
brainlessly easy to install with the directions.
Click to expand...

I got it. Thanks very much!
 
I bought a new cabin air filter from Autozone. I think it only cost
I got it. Thanks very much!
Click to expand...

Ok, good luck. Let the group know how it went.

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Hello VicTek,

V> My 2003 Elantra GLS recently developed an unpleasant smell in the
V> cabin. I narrowed it down to the air conditioner (didn't seem to
V> have anything to do with the fresh air vents). I washed out the
V> engine compartment, made sure the drains where the windshield meets
V> the hood were clear and checked to see if there was an air filter
V> behind the glove box (in the fax compartment) that needed replacing
V> (there wasn't a filter installed). The smell has been reduced, but I
V> never found anything so I don't know what caused it and more
V> importantly if there is somewhere else I should be looking - any
V> ideas?

Dead bacteria in pooling condensate in your HVAC systems. I had 5 Hyundais,
and all had stinky A/C systems. It is not so bad if the A/C is used daily
but if not used for a couple of days and then used, the smell is pretty evident
inthe first 20 - 30 seconds or so.

Not a heck of a lot can be done except change the cabin air filter if so
equipped, and also spray liberal amounts of A/C bactericidal / fungicidal
spray into the vents in the cowl at the fas of the windshield with the blower
on high. A/C does not have to be on. Then let it sit, say overnight.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texa
 
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