Questionable funk from the air vents

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

Okay, so my deal is that my vents have been shooting this stale, 3-week-old tortilla-chip smell everytime I start the car with the A/C on. It's only for a few seconds, then it either goes away or I get used to it. This is has been going on since the lovely new-car smell faded away at 4,000 miles. Since then, I've been dealing with this everyday and it's really starting to get on my nerves. I only have about 7,700 miles on it, so I'd say it's way too early for my car to stink itself up. Toyota dealer found nothing wrong with the A/C, filter and fan, and even sprayed air-freshener for free, which fades away in minutes. So what's really wrong with it? How do it fix it for good? Thanks.

Check the TSB on HVAC evaporator drain blockage:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9753

When the drain tube is plugged up the condensate stays in and gets really funky after a while. It happened on my Xterra and I unplugged it from below by sticking a piece of flexible plastic up the evaporator drain tube. When I pulled the plastic rod out, about a gallon of putrid water came gushing out all over me. I nearly lost my lunch...

[SilverBack]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Check the TSB on HVAC evaporator drain blockage:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9753

When the drain tube is plugged up the condensate stays in and gets really funky after a while. It happened on my Xterra and I unplugged it from below by sticking a piece of flexible plastic up the evaporator drain tube. When I pulled the plastic rod out, about a gallon of putrid water came gushing out all over me. I nearly lost my lunch...

I'll have a look at it today. Thanks for the much needed info

Quick question: Convinced this isn't a one-time thing, so how often do I need to do this?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

I'll have a look at it today. Thanks for the much needed info

Quick question: Convinced this isn't a one-time thing, so how often do I need to do this?

The TSB mentions a cowl change that prevents stuff from getting in and plugging it up. You may want to check with you local service department to see if your car is affected by this TSB.

Otherwise, if you find that the tube is indeed plugged, you will notice what was plugging it up as it comes out (in my case it was the long thin flowery things that come off of my birch trees in the spring). By keeping my Xterra away from the birches when they are in bloom, I have not had the issue recur.

[Bob_VT]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Check the TSB on HVAC evaporator drain blockage:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9753

When the drain tube is plugged up the condensate stays in and gets really funky after a while. It happened on my Xterra and I unplugged it from below by sticking a piece of flexible plastic up the evaporator drain tube. When I pulled the plastic rod out, about a gallon of putrid water came gushing out all over me. I nearly lost my lunch...

Some of best flexible plastic to use is weed wacker string. It is great for clearing the lines.

Here are a few more hints once you make sure the line is clear.....

With the car off spray lysol (not air freshener but a germ killer that attacks / prevents mold) into all the vents and into the cabin filter slot. Now start the car with the Air condioning on and set it to recirculate for about 5 minutes and this will coat the entire system with lysol...... now switch the AC off and set the knob to fresh air intake and turn on the heat for 5 minutes.

I would not wait in the car when doing this..... the smell will go away pretty fast.