G35 Air Condition Smell

[hellodavid]

Hello. I have 2003 G35 sedan. My air condition smells bad. Do I need to change any type of filter or recharge ? Help.. Me

[WestCo Justin]

Most likely changing the in-cabin microfilter should fix your problem.

[hellodavid]

thank you so much. i just replaced.

[joe603]

can you describe the smell? I have a musty smell when my AC first kicks on...and my filter is new.

[ugaexploder]

sometimes i get a sour stench for a few minutes...

[zozoka1212]

Is it any good now?

Zozoka

[joe603]

Anyone else have a weird smell when you first turn on the AC??

[zozoka1212]

I'm good. No problem here.

Zozoka

[infinititech1]

this is a bad problem infinitis had... honestly 90% of the time a new micro filter wouldn't help it. we had to do an a/c refresher service which even sometimes didn't help it. we actually had to pull a whole dash out of an m to clean out the evap case.

[joe603]

So it's under warranty then? Is this a common problem with the G35? If they did clean it, would the problem just come back in a few months?

[Bolen_james]

I have this same problem with my G35 2004 coupe

[infinititech1]

i don't think they would warranty it unless your car was light brand new like with like 1k miles on it or so. very common problem

[chad1200]

my a/c started smelling bad after we got about 2 months of rain. it's garaged but it still got kind of muggy in there. i'm glad i'm not the only one. it'll be 100 degrees in no time so i'm hoping it'll dry out.

[Nadia]

I'm having the same problem with my car. 04 coupe

So basically i shouldnt start up the AC until the car is running for a few?

[zozoka1212]

I am good here. No bad smell. Well sometimes I don't think it is under warranty. sorry I had to do it.

Zozoka

[infinititech1]

runnin the a/c will not fix it

[5_inch_lip]

I have a 06 G and yes I smell something nasty once in awhile when I turn on the ac...

[loystock]

I have an 04 G35 but no problem about AC stink. Just replace the cabin air filter regularly. You can also use BG Frigi Fresh- set AC to MAX cool, fresh-air mode and then spray Frigi Fresh at the AC inlet. Result may be better if you cycle between hot and cold. Another way to avoid AC stink is to switch to ECON mode in the last few miles of your drive.

Rod

[joe603]

What exactly is the difference between "econ" and "normal" modes in the AC?

[loystock]

In ECON mode, the compressor is off and only the blower is running.

Rod

[joe603]

So in ECON mode, the compressor only comes on if needed then? Good to know, thanks!

Is this the same thing as "MAX AC" you see on other cars?

[loystock]

The compressor will never engage in ECON mode. Ventilation is provided by the blower. In ECON mode, if air RECIRC is selected, you can have fogging on your windshield and windows due to condensation. To avoid this, you can crack your windows/sunroof open, or select Fresh Air. Your airconditioning system, aside from cooling (heating) the cabin, will also de-humidify it. With the compressor off, the evaporator can no longer function hence the possibility of condensation in the cabin. I usually go in ECON mode if the outside air temp is low.

The 'stink' in the AC system is usually caused by molds in the evaporator area. In humid condition, frost could form in your AC line, particularly in the evaporator area, while in Normal/Max Cool mode. Frost turns into water when you shutdown your AC or your car. Water/moisture induces mold growth. This problem could get worse if your drain line is restricted or clogged.

By switching from Normal to ECON mode on the last few miles of your drive you are allowing the evaporator area to dry up, avoiding mold formation.

If your AC smells bad, replace the cabin air filter and make sure the drain line (tube on the undercarriage, pax side) is not clogged. Then use BG Frigi Fresh (I mentioned earlier) to kill the mold. Ozium will also do the job but it's more expensive and some people don't like it's smell. Ammonia is not recommended since it's strong and can cause corrosion, etc. You can get discounted pricing for Infiniti/Nissan parts from Joe (Scottsdale Infiniti a.k.a "everything nissan.com or "InfinitipartsUSA.com), one of our NICO sponsors.

Rod97&03 Q45s97&99 I30s04 G35

[zozoka1212]

Thanks for the detailed info. So far I have no problem but better keep my eye on it.

Zozoka

[steel714]

Can anyone tell me where the A/C intake is located?

[joe603]

I believe its on the passenger side of the cowl, just under the windshield.

[Q451990]

We have it in our '05 Sedan. I'm considering buying a few cans of frigi-fresh for it. The stink usually goes away after a minute or so after start-up. Guess it's a bad design that doesn't drain properly?

It amazes me what engineers can screw up in a new design that they got right on earlier models. My Q and Truck both have no issues at all with mold and stench build-up on the evaporator...

Heath

[steel714]

Thanks for the info, I will check it out......

[adren77]

actually the compressor works in both ECON and AC mode.

[zozoka1212]

Are you guys using it every day? I am thinking maybe if it is not in use for a day or two it gives you all the smell. What i usually do in the morning before I got home from work. Start up the car and turn on the airconditiner raise the level of the fan speed and switch all the different modes for about 20-25 seconds each. I do that 2-3 times a week. I never had problem with it.

Zozo

[Q45tech]

Ask a generic AC shop they will tell you how common mold infestation is across all brands when owners don't follow correct shut down proceedures.