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“…WHAT’S THAT SMELL?” THE EVERYTHING AUTO BLOG: AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING SERIES PART 2
American Pride Automotive • Apr 26, 2013
May is almost here and even warmer weather is surely on its way! That’s why we want to make sure that your car’s air conditioning system is in tip-top shape before the temps make driving sans A/C a real burden. Even a low functioning, or as we’ll see today, a stinky A/C system can make driving in the heat quite unpleasant and even dangerous.
If you’ve ever turned on your air conditioning during the summer and took a whiff of a wet, moldy scent coming from the vents, you know what we’re talking about. Where does that smell come from and, more importantly, how do you make it go away?! American Pride can help.
But before we get to it, let’s take a look at a basic overview of the major A/C components:
Compressor – a belt-driven pump responsible for compressing and transferring refrigerant gas. Recall from last week that low refrigerant can cause the compressor to fail and even break. If you missed Part 1 of the Automotive Air Conditioning Series, click here.
Condenser – hot compressed gases enter this unit, cool off, condense, then exit as a high-pressure liquid. It serves a similar function as the radiator in the engine. A failed compressor can damage the condensor and cause it to need replacement.
Evaporator – a component whose primary duty is to remove heat from the inside of your vehicle. A secondary benefit is dehumidification. It is also known as the evaporator core. The evaporator has everything do with offensive A/C odors, so it will be a big topic of discussion today.
Refrigerant Fluid – commonly referred to as Freon or R12, environmental laws specify that the recharging and handling of an air conditioning system refrigerant be performed by authorized ASE-certified automotive technicians. Also, remember from last week, low refrigerant means a leak somewhere in the system. Always have a certified mechanic find and fix the source of the leak before recharging the A/C.
So the air blowing from your car’s vents is plenty cold, but it’s not smelling like roses. In fact, it’s smelling rather a lot like mildew. Gross.
Most likely, the source of this problem is the growth of mold and bacteria on and under the surface of the evaporator. As cars age, leaves and other organic debris make their way into the evaporator core. Like we mentioned above, the evaporator’s job is to remove humidity from the cabin of the vehicle, so its warm and wet conditions provide the organic debris with the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Want to try and avoid this situation altogether? Make sure to turn off the A/C 4-5 minutes before you reach your destination, running just the fan so that the system can eliminate residual condensation.
It is also helpful to check for debris on and around the A/C system components every once in a while. That way you can apprehend the offenders before they become a real problem.
Now the big question: How do you get rid of the smell?
Start by opening the hood and locating the evaporator behind the dash.
Grab a can of Lysol and spray the surface of the evaporator. Then turn on the ignition and the fan (not the compressor). Drive for about 20 minutes and let the system dry out. You can also buy odor-removal kits and pressurized foam disinfectants at auto parts stores if you so choose.
If you try the disinfectant route and the smell doesn’t go away, you might have a deeper problem. Keep in mind that it might be your A/C system’s drainage hose or valve that are blocked with debris, too. If that’s the case, it may be best to bring your vehicle to a professional like American Pride to clear out the system in a safe way. Accordingly, when you visit American Pride for a vehicle tune-up or A/C repair, we will check the condition of your air conditioning system, look for clogged debris and blockages, and make sure that all is clear by the time you drive off the lot.
Call or stop in today to make sure your vehicle’s A/C is ready for the dog days of summer, and check back next week for the third and final part in our Automotive Air Conditioning Series!
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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