HVAC ODOR: NEW technical service bulletin from toyota - Page 6 - Toyota Yaris Forums

UTVitz · 12-23-2009, 08:04 PM

I was lucky enough to have another vehicle to drive, but the dealer had my car two days before the work was completed. I did tell them to not rush it as I really hated having the dash taken apart and was worried about dash rattles. So far three months later everything seems well screwed together again. So glad I had it done-I really thought the musty smell after using the a/c was something I had to live with-nope.

adamschneider · 12-23-2009, 10:25 PM

I finally got out of there at 6:00, as the dealership was closing... and found that they put my console back together wrong!!!! They switched around the heat and blower controls, and now neither one feels exactly right. The whole thing doesn't look flush either. I am so pissed off.

I guess I should have let them keep it and "not rush it." God damn it.

unclenefeesa · 12-28-2009, 06:32 AM

I called the dealer last week to ask about the odor from the AC. From the quick reply they gave over the phone I could tell this was a frequent problem with them.
I didn't mention the TSB (I am not in the US) but all they suggested is to take an appointment (earliest available is after mid January) and they would clean the AC with some chemical. It would take more than 3 hours to finish and would cost me 75 USD. what a rip off.

I will call them back later this week ans ask why this is not covered by warranty. I mean the car is still under warranty and the AC is not functioning properly right?

I bought an air system cleaning can. it comes with long tube. i used the tube and sprayed the inside of the AC for 5 to 6 seconds. I haven't used the AC since then, but the car smells extremely clean and fresh that it some times gives me and my wife a headache.

unclenefeesa · 12-29-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclenefeesa

I called the dealer last week to ask about the odor from the AC. From the quick reply they gave over the phone I could tell this was a frequent problem with them.
I didn't mention the TSB (I am not in the US) but all they suggested is to take an appointment (earliest available is after mid January) and they would clean the AC with some chemical. It would take more than 3 hours to finish and would cost me 75 USD. what a rip off.

I will call them back later this week ans ask why this is not covered by warranty. I mean the car is still under warranty and the AC is not functioning properly right?

I bought an air system cleaning can. it comes with long tube. i used the tube and sprayed the inside of the AC for 5 to 6 seconds. I haven't used the AC since then, but the car smells extremely clean and fresh that it some times gives me and my wife a headache.

Well, the air system cleaning can certainly gave my car a clean fresh smell but it didn't solve the problem. The smell comes on as soon as I turn the fan on (both on hot and cold).

UTVitz · 12-28-2009, 11:45 AM

Have the dealer run your VIN to see if it falls under the TSB for a/c evap. replacement. The musty smell comes from the metals used to make the evap. core-it's defective. But once you run out of warranty you're out of luck to get toyota to cover it-and it's not a safety item, hence no recall on this problem.

unclenefeesa · 12-29-2009, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTVitz

Have the dealer run your VIN to see if it falls under the TSB for a/c evap. replacement. The musty smell comes from the metals used to make the evap. core-it's defective. But once you run out of warranty you're out of luck to get toyota to cover it-and it's not a safety item, hence no recall on this problem.

I don't live in USA. the TSB we have says US Market only. the Dealer doesn't have to honor this TSB, unless I can find a TSB that does not say US Only.

swidd · 12-28-2009, 12:22 PM

Not a safety problem? Is it healthy to breath in these gases, especially if the A/C gas starts leaking?

Yaris Hilton · 12-28-2009, 12:58 PM

The AC refrigerant gas is the same stuff used to propel the medical inhalants people with asthma and COPD use. The FDA says they're safe, in the small quantities they use. If you have a big enough leak to be breathing much of the gas, your AC's going to quit working shortly.

YarisSedan · 12-28-2009, 12:55 PM

I like how they always start every TSB "some customers may experience" when in actuality usually all customers experience the problem but have not complained about it yet or are just afraid to bring their car into the dealer cause they are past the warrenty period.

bladesmith6 · 03-23-2010, 01:07 AM

Has anyone attempted to do this repair themselves? The reason I ask is i called the local dealership and because my car is JUST out of the warranty they would not cover it, not to mention the whole "we have to test to find out if thats the problem" routine. I know what the problem is and hate going to the dealership at all especially multiple times because of stupid requirements. I guess I would need to know what all the correct parts #'s are so I could have everything ahead of time.

CTScott · 03-23-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladesmith6

Has anyone attempted to do this repair themselves? The reason I ask is i called the local dealership and because my car is JUST out of the warranty they would not cover it, not to mention the whole "we have to test to find out if thats the problem" routine. I know what the problem is and hate going to the dealership at all especially multiple times because of stupid requirements. I guess I would need to know what all the correct parts #'s are so I could have everything ahead of time.

I have pulled Crashy's AC system apart for curiosity sake. Replacing the affected parts requires taking the entire dash apart and removing the airbox assembly to get at the condenser. It is quite doable, but takes a bit of time. The nice thing about doing it yourself is that you'll be more careful not to scratch up the dash parts on your own car.

As for the parts required, if you look at the pdf of the TSB (which is posted), it lists the parts that get replaced.

bronsin · 03-27-2010, 11:30 AM

Here is a picture of stuff you can get to fix stinky climate control systems.

ROCKLANDTOYOTA · 06-17-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronsin

Here is a picture of stuff you can get to fix stinky climate control systems.

WTF is that crap on your keyboard???? EEEEWWWWWW

bladesmith6 · 03-23-2010, 10:11 PM

ok well at least that gives me something to work with. Still have to go to a shop to recharge the system but it should still cost less than getting the whole thing done there. i hope.....

swidd · 03-24-2010, 09:36 AM

I just had the TSB about the exhaust/catalytic converter assembly replacement done. Sulfur/burning trash smell is gone! Burning oil smell introduced!

127.0.0.1 · 03-27-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swidd

I just had the TSB about the exhaust/catalytic converter assembly replacement done. Sulfur/burning trash smell is gone! Burning oil smell introduced!

that should go away once it is cooked off

bronsin · 03-24-2010, 09:41 AM

Its a really bad idea to run your AC on recirc for long periods of time. Frequently change to circulate fresh air. Mold or something gets in the internal components of the climate control system. It stinks to high heaven. My wife did that to her Camry and its hard to sit in the vehicle it stinks so bad.

sbergman27 · 03-24-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronsin

Its a really bad idea to run your AC on recirc for long periods of time. Frequently change to circulate fresh air. Mold or something gets in the internal components of the climate control system.

How would switching to 'fresh' prevent or remove the mold?

-Steve

03-24-2010, 09:36 AM	#15
swidd Drives: Yaris HB Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Central Alabama, GOD BLESS AMERICA Posts: 755	I just had the TSB about the exhaust/catalytic converter assembly replacement done. Sulfur/burning trash smell is gone! Burning oil smell introduced! Last edited by swidd; 03-28-2010 at 07:07 PM. Reason: EDIT: it improved my MPG from steady average 37 to 39 on last tank!

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12-23-2009, 08:04 PM	#1
UTVitz Drives: Black Vitz Liftback Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 238	I was lucky enough to have another vehicle to drive, but the dealer had my car two days before the work was completed. I did tell them to not rush it as I really hated having the dash taken apart and was worried about dash rattles. So far three months later everything seems well screwed together again. So glad I had it done-I really thought the musty smell after using the a/c was something I had to live with-nope.

12-23-2009, 10:25 PM	#2
adamschneider Drives: Bayou Blue 2dr, AT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 67	I finally got out of there at 6:00, as the dealership was closing... and found that they put my console back together wrong!!!! They switched around the heat and blower controls, and now neither one feels exactly right. The whole thing doesn't look flush either. I am so pissed off. I guess I should have let them keep it and "not rush it." God damn it.

12-28-2009, 06:32 AM	#3
unclenefeesa Da Uncle Drives: 2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Beirut, Lebanon Posts: 36	I called the dealer last week to ask about the odor from the AC. From the quick reply they gave over the phone I could tell this was a frequent problem with them. I didn't mention the TSB (I am not in the US) but all they suggested is to take an appointment (earliest available is after mid January) and they would clean the AC with some chemical. It would take more than 3 hours to finish and would cost me 75 USD. what a rip off. I will call them back later this week ans ask why this is not covered by warranty. I mean the car is still under warranty and the AC is not functioning properly right? I bought an air system cleaning can. it comes with long tube. i used the tube and sprayed the inside of the AC for 5 to 6 seconds. I haven't used the AC since then, but the car smells extremely clean and fresh that it some times gives me and my wife a headache.

12-28-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
UTVitz Drives: Black Vitz Liftback Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 238	Have the dealer run your VIN to see if it falls under the TSB for a/c evap. replacement. The musty smell comes from the metals used to make the evap. core-it's defective. But once you run out of warranty you're out of luck to get toyota to cover it-and it's not a safety item, hence no recall on this problem.

12-28-2009, 12:22 PM	#7
swidd Drives: Yaris HB Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Central Alabama, GOD BLESS AMERICA Posts: 755	Not a safety problem? Is it healthy to breath in these gases, especially if the A/C gas starts leaking?

12-28-2009, 12:58 PM	#8
Yaris Hilton Half a Bubble Off Plumb Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA Posts: 1,593	The AC refrigerant gas is the same stuff used to propel the medical inhalants people with asthma and COPD use. The FDA says they're safe, in the small quantities they use. If you have a big enough leak to be breathing much of the gas, your AC's going to quit working shortly.

12-28-2009, 12:55 PM	#9
YarisSedan Drives: 08 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 2,773	I like how they always start every TSB "some customers may experience" when in actuality usually all customers experience the problem but have not complained about it yet or are just afraid to bring their car into the dealer cause they are past the warrenty period.

03-23-2010, 01:07 AM	#10
bladesmith6 View User's Garage Drives: 2007 yaris HB Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 401	Has anyone attempted to do this repair themselves? The reason I ask is i called the local dealership and because my car is JUST out of the warranty they would not cover it, not to mention the whole "we have to test to find out if thats the problem" routine. I know what the problem is and hate going to the dealership at all especially multiple times because of stupid requirements. I guess I would need to know what all the correct parts #'s are so I could have everything ahead of time.

03-23-2010, 10:11 PM	#14
bladesmith6 View User's Garage Drives: 2007 yaris HB Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 401	ok well at least that gives me something to work with. Still have to go to a shop to recharge the system but it should still cost less than getting the whole thing done there. i hope.....

03-24-2010, 09:41 AM	#17
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,792	Its a really bad idea to run your AC on recirc for long periods of time. Frequently change to circulate fresh air. Mold or something gets in the internal components of the climate control system. It stinks to high heaven. My wife did that to her Camry and its hard to sit in the vehicle it stinks so bad.