Heat Odour

[Brianj67]

Hey experts, I moved my heat control to the centre or dash vents today. When I did I got a strange smell. Its more musty than dead mouse smell. I don't notice it when heat controls are in 'Auto' or window/floor. Most days I have it on window/floor mode. Any thoughts?

I do have the air intake screened off so any mouse carcass would be very dried up by now and I would have smelled it way before now.

Thanks for any help.

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[Dr_Strangelove]

Last time cabin air filter (in glove box) was replaced? That's where I'd start with cabin odors from vents.

 

[Conman50]

Maybe after replacing the filter run your truck heater with the windows open on full blast, no AC. That may help clear any remaining moisture or smell.

 

[Brianj67]

Last time cabin air filter (in glove box) was replaced? That's where I'd start with cabin odors from vents.

I ordered a new one but it's odd I only notice it in the one mode. I'll know Monday.

 

[Brianj67]

Maybe after replacing the filter run your truck heater with the windows open on full blast, no AC. That may help clear any remaining moisture or smell.

This was heat, not AC. I read a few threads on the AC odour. Everything comes through the cabin filter I assume, I should smell it in all modes of air flow. Odd.

 

[airline tech]

This was heat, not AC. I read a few threads on the AC odour. Everything comes through the cabin filter I assume, I should smell it in all modes of air flow. Odd.

Correct - Heat or AC - it does not matter; the air goes through the Filter and moves into the Box (Mixing) chamber - no matter if Heat or AC is selected - any condensate pooled in the bottom of the drip pan will (produce a smell) if it is not draining properly - throughout all ducts.
Now it may be more no noticeable from the Panel Vents as it would be right at face level and a more forceful feel.
or
The Panel Vent - Ducting may have some (Condensation) pooling somewhere in the ducting, odd but possible

 

[Brianj67]

Correct - Heat or AC - it does not matter; the air goes through the Filter and moves into the Box (Mixing) chamber - no matter if Heat or AC is selected - any condensate pooled in the bottom of the drip pan will (produce a smell) if it is not draining properly - throughout all ducts.
Now it may be more no noticeable from the Panel Vents as it would be right at face level and a more forceful feel.
or
The Panel Vent - Ducting may have some (Condensation) pooling somewhere in the ducting, odd but possible

I will change out the filter and see what the result is. If it's a drain issue I will have to research that issue further.

 

[airline tech]

Hope it is NOT the drain
As it is BURRIED above the Trans Bell Housing and has a cover over it
No EASY access at all

Condensate Drain (Circled)
This is one of the reasons - I love pics posted with parts removed, as this pic shows a clear location of that drain, that cannot be easily seen - otherwise.
So, Thanks to the OP of the pic, we can actually see it for a reference point when trying to find it with the Transmission (Installed)

 

[Brianj67]

Hope it is NOT the drain
As it is BURRIED above the Trans Bell Housing and has a cover over it
No EASY access at all

Condensate Drain (Circled)
This is one of the reasons - I love pics posted with parts removed, as this pic shows a clear location of that drain, that cannot be easily seen - otherwise.
So, Thanks to the OP of the pic, we can actually see it for a reference point when trying to find it with the Transmission (Installed)

That looks like an adventure I am not interested in!

 

[Tom_C]

I had a 2003 bmw that would get an 'ass and feet' smell in the summer. My DIY fix was to shoot lysol in the vents with a nozzle. If the filter doesn't solve it, and maybe even if it does, you could shoot a good dose of Lysol or Febreze into the vents and box and let it soak before you turn on the fan.

 

[Trustable]

If it’s not the drain what about one of those ozone machines. I know they can potentially do damage to plastic if used incorrectly but may be worth looking into.

 

[isslandboy]

We had a mouse get in our Fortuner while we were away. Bought an ozone generator, it got rid of the smell.

 

[RangerBill]

See this post:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/nasty-smell-when-using-heater-a-c.5623/

May be the lithium grease used to lubricate the parts in the HVAC box.

 

[Blmpkn]

I had a 2003 bmw that would get an 'ass and feet' smell in the summer. My DIY fix was to shoot lysol in the vents with a nozzle. If the filter doesn't solve it, and maybe even if it does, you could shoot a good dose of Lysol or Febreze into the vents and box and let it soak before you turn on the fan.

There was an older episode of topgear where the guys ended up each buying themselves a convertible e30 318(?)

One of the challenges was having each of the cars interiors inspected by some forensics nerd..

If I'm remembering right... all the cars were found to have traces of feces, urine, sperm, girlie sperm, boogers... All of it.

Must be a bmw thing. Buncha horned up perverts.

 

[got3fords]

There was an older episode of topgear where the guys ended up each buying themselves a convertible e30 318(?)

One of the challenges was having each of the cars interiors inspected by some forensics nerd..

If I'm remembering right... all the cars were found to have traces of feces, urine, sperm, girlie sperm, boogers... All of it.

Must be a bmw thing. Buncha horned up perverts.

Girlie sperm.....interesting images conjuring up.

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