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Toyota Yaris 2007- Air Conditioning smells like vinegar???
This car is only 7 months old, 8,000 miles. I have done all the necessary maintenance, it has not been through a flood. When I initially turn on the A/C i get this strong blast of Vinegar-scented Air. After about 10 seconds the smell goes away. it's only when i first turn on the AC....anyone have any idea what this could be? (and yes, I know the obvious answer is "take it to the dealer")
Any info you can give would be a great help!!! Thanks! :)
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Well, not sure exactly about the vinegar smell, but most A/C odors are from the drain tube getting clogged (or partially clogged) from some objects (like leaves, dirt, whatever) in the evaporator box. The water sits there and gets stale and then you start to smell it, if it gets to be too much water the passenger side carpet may start getting wet as it leaks out of the evaporator box. Then you get mold. If this is the problem, it should be a quick fix unclogging from underneath the car.
- Thomas ELv 61 decade ago
yes - you have the "dirty sweat socks" smell that is characteristic of some a/c systems. it comes from condensate not drying out of the a/c box, and a form of mold growing in there. what you should do to prevent this is as you approach your parking area - or where you are to stop - a couple minutes before you arrive turn the a/c controls to fresh air - thats when you take in some fresh air (? depending where you live) from outside the car. and Turn the a/c OFF. Just let it start to warm up. when you park turn the heater on and up about midway for half a minute or so, this will warm up the a/c box and begin the drying process. with the heater controls ON and the fresh air open the box should dry out ok and get rid of your smell. you only need to do this at night or when you are at work all day. not for stops at the store or gym.
ps: and you should check with the dealer. sometimes they may have service bulletins or updates that may lessen a problem.
- 1 decade ago
That is a common problem regarding AC'c in new cars. That is because of the plastics and chemicals used for air ducts.
- 1 decade ago
its a new car problem that we are having. it is the plastic that the duct work is made of if you use fresh air for a while it will dissipate. you can also use a air freshener to help until the smell fades
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- dragonsaver005Lv 41 decade ago
I have smelled the same smell,not for sure what it is from.I've notice that it goes away eventually.