A/C has stale water smell when starting

[fountainpenracing]

When I start the A/C on my 2005 G35 sedan it has a smell like used towels. Has anyone experienced this and what could I do to remedy?

[WESIDE]

You could try replacing the in-cabin air filter.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

ditto change the filter

also try to make a habit of turning off the ac 5 minutes or so before you arrive at your destination - just let the fan blow on high with ac off to try to dry off the condensor before you park - that may be the source of our smell.

[Sentientbydesign]

I seem to remember the guys in the Max/I30 forum having a fix for this. Not sure if it works the same with our Gs.

Basically they turned the fan on high and sprayed lysol through the intake vents (right below the windshield).

The in cabin filter probably needs to be changed too.

[fountainpenracing]

Thanks guys - I'll go get a filter this weekend as well as try the lysol idea and I'll let you know the results.

[telcoman]

ditto change the filter

also try to make a habit of turning off the ac 5 minutes or so before you arrive at your destination - just let the fan blow on high with ac off to try to dry off the condensor before you park - that may be the source of our smell.

While you are at it, if you haven't changed your air filter lately you might as well change that the same time you change the cabin filter. Here is a photo of my dirty cabin filter that I change once a year.

A dirty cabin filter not good for your lungs.

A dirty air filter is not good for your engine.



Telcoman

[carmo]

Make sure you use the fresh air mode from time to time. This will draw air from outside and at the base of the windshield. In recirc. mode, the system recirculates the air in the car drawing it from the floorboard. Well, peoples feet chill on the floorboard so..... Yea okay you are pumping air from where you keep your dirty gym socks strait into your face.

[Sentientbydesign]

Make sure you use the fresh air mode from time to time. This will draw air from outside and at the base of the windshield. In recirc. mode, the system recirculates the air in the car drawing it from the floorboard. Well, peoples feet chill on the floorboard so..... Yea okay you are pumping air from where you keep your dirty gym socks strait into your face.

Not sure with everyone elses G, but on mine it switches from recirc to outside on its own, unless I override it.

[carmo]

You also want to be sure that when the compressor is working, the drain tube for the heater box is draining the condensation properly.

[tjpsnj]

Can you help identify where that drain is? I had a 99 Cadillac STS for the 145,000 miles before this (G35x) and with that car it had a special drain designed not to clog and the interior fan would run for 10 minute intervals after you shut the car off when condensation was detected. The fan running was a firmware upgrade to the chip in the car from the dealer. I must admit the only thing I miss from the STS aside from the size is the much more sophisticated electronics in the dash board. Not much to the G35x. Can't look at the computer codes or stats is especially missed. My dealer is poor at best for the G35. I do not trust them. I guess I miss the honest freindly atmosphere of the Cadillac dealer as well.

[joa]

In addition to the above comments on using outside air and also turning off the ac and keep the blower going for 4 or 5 minutes before arrival. You can purchase a product called a/c & heater duct cleaner (autozone) . Says it works on mold, mildew, stale air and smoke. Needs to be sprayed outside the windshield with the fresh air intake on, into the vents. Directions on the can.

[Sentientbydesign]

Joa,

Very nice! Thanks!!!