G35 Air Condition Smell

[joe603]

What are the correct shut down procedures for the G35?

[adren77]

You'd think if there was a "proper" shut down procedure, the "AUTO" button would take care of it

[redhed]

actually the compressor works in both ECON and AC mode.

yep, only that in AUTO/ECON mode the compressor runs less frequently than it does in AUTO/NORMAL mode. the only way to completely turn of the compressor is to turn the system entirely off, or hit the AC button to turn it off.

what i've found that works for me is on days where i don't need the AC, i still let the fan run so that air is constantly moving over the evaporator/heater core and that helps dry it out so that it's hard for mold to grow.

[joe603]

C'mon Q....what's the proper way?

[tjpsnj]

Unfortnatly there is not a right way. Before this I had a 99 Cadillac STS and the smell. Sometime about 2003 I noticed the cabin fan running at times after I had turned the car off. it happened after 2003 as Cadillac submitted a recall that the dealer applied as a flash to the prom. The chip in the system that remembers stuff. It sensed a tempurature range and that the a/c had been running. The cabin fan would come on for 10 minutes 1, 2, and a few times when I was around a third time. For the sole purpose of drying condensation from the evaporator. By 2005 summer I did not have the nasty smell. From the notes on here I will soon be looking to be sure the drain works on mine. Anybody know an easy test?

[vbx]

http://badnissaninfiniticars.c...8.htm

[Q45tech]

To understand AC mold and bacterial contamination a short course in microbiology is necessary!

Ac cleaning chemicals are so very common because almost every AC BRAND system suffers from mold during certain weather conditions if owners don't follow proper SHUT DOWN PROCEEDURES prior to turning vehical off!

As yourself why there are over 20 worldwide manufacturers of cleaning and mold and smell control products for automotive ac systems.

Since 1955 when auto AC started to appear the molds have been happy at the extra chance to multiply.

Here is a site that explains the situation somewhat negatively.http://www.badnissaninfiniticars.com/frigi.htm

Unfortunately LEXUS has the same problem as do MB and BMW primarily a forced change [back in 1994] to R134a vs R12 and slightly differences in actual vent temperatures doesn't freeze the mold to death!

[joe603]

...so what is the proper procedure to stop mold formation?

[zozoka1212]

I don't know if it helps or not but I found this.

http://www.metropulse.com/arti....html

zozo

[joe603]

I'd hate to ruin a perfectly good in-cabin filter...What is the recommendation from Nissan/Infiniti?

[zozoka1212]

I went to book an appointment for oilchange and replace keyfob. I asked the technician. He doesn't know anything about proper shutdown process. He says there is no such a thing. Also he says if you've got mold in there once. It is really hard to get rid of. He said it is a good idea to go thru all the air channels every day. I do that 2 x a week. I never had a problem. I start up my car and switch to all zone for a bit.

zozo

[vbx]

Changing the Micro filter will not stop the smell. All the micro filter does is remove dust and other partciles from entering the vent system.

The MOLD however, is grown in the AC Evaporator. Which is on the other side of car. Mold develops there due to MOISTURE. Not because of a dirty air filter.

To prevent mold all you have to do is run the vents w/o the AC on for a couple minutes to remove the moisture b4 you turn off the car.

Example, you are running the AC on full blast. You're about 15 minutes away from your destination. You switch the AC to OFF but keep the AIR running. That should rid most of the moisture in the system.

Done.

If you do this everytime you use ur AC, you should have no problem with a blast of MOLD hitting your face when you first turn your car on and the Vents are on.

[g35sedanlover]

so I live in a humid, rainy climate and even if I don't run the AC, I will get the smell when it rains or is really humid. I have tried cabin filters and also 2 type of AC cleaning sprays (they work for about a month).

I think it is finally time to clean the evaporator. Has anyone done this? What should I use? From the pictures on e-bay, the evaperator looks like a radiator with a million little fins...

[tollboothwilley]

Mold is a living organism. It is VERY difficult to kill.

Normally it is growing INSIDE the evap canister and the only real way to get rid of it is to replace the evap canister.

Like stated above, best prevention method is to turn off AC or let the vents blow out just air. Once you have the mold in the evap I don't think you can really ever kill.

[Jacko3]

Hahahahaha! its amazing all the comment about mold and A/C and all what not. Listen: I don't care about A/C not even in the least bit. Sometimes i wish it wasn't even there in the car--robs car of horsepower and precious gas. Mold and all its cousin and family members can go camping and hiking all over the evaporator box or can, for all i care. In-cabin air filter???? I only heard of that after becoming a member of NICO.

I have never changed the in-cabin air filter of my Little Nissan in 252,000 miles. Many many generations of mold and micro organisms have lived and died in my little nissan in cabin air filter---inside my little nissan is a real playground of all critters and vermins created by God. Little Nissan's A/C have never ever been serviced before in 252,000 miles. It still works great and it freezes my a$$ off when I put it on in summers--that is like no more than 10 times in any summer. I love driving with my windows down. I can't help it. My G is getting the same treatment. Driving a car with windows up for me, except when it rains, is like asking me to go spend 3 hours in an Opera.

Even when it is cold outside, i drive my G with my windows down--partial down when it is very cold in the early morning, while I turn on my heater to warm my hands at the steerig wheel. I have got to hear that sweet, sweet, Stillen and test pipe sound when I drive, even if I die from hypothermia while driving. I have never fully appreciated the need for an A/C in a car, much less all this scientific stuff about in-cabin air filters and microbiology of unseen and annoying living creatures. My G's in-cabin microfilter may never be changed---no promises, it may just happen.

All that matters in a car for a true enthusiast is engine, transmission, and suspension, and all their associated parts. If all these three work well, the rest of the car can fall away in pieces on my trip home, for all I care, and i won't even blink an eye.

[g35sedanlover]

Hey Jacko,Thanks for the great thoughts. Tomorrow when I am expecting temps just below zero, I will roll my windows down so I don't have to smell the sh** blowing through my vents. Problem solved. I feel o the wiser for the incite you have shared with me.

Once again, thanks for the help

[tollboothwilley]

hmmm

if you're getting that smell with your heater on, then its all in your vents too.

Aside from taking apart the dash, I dunno what else to tell you. You could spray some lysol in each vent a few times. In the recirculate vents and such as well.

what have you tried thus far?

[g35sedanlover]

I don't smell it in the winter, but as soon as it gets above freezing, I can start to smell it. It used to only smell when the AC started, then when it was on, now even if it is humid or has rained, I can smell it.

[tollboothwilley]

mold likes humid, dark places

i've heard that it can't grow in the sunlight

what has probably happened is that over time the mold has spread from the evap canister to the vents

[zozoka1212]

Try this it might help.

http://www.agritectx.com/odorx.html

zozo

[luvmywigglebutt]

mine used to reek, but i havent noticed it in like 2 years. i didnt do anything different that i can think of? i moved where its alot cooler and i dont need my AC as much tho. theres a great video on YOUTUBE on how to replace it, seems like alot of work if i ever have to do it. lol

[g35sedanlover]

I see one vid on how to do it to a car, has anyone done this to a G? How do you keep water from running into the HVAC system?