Funny smell from car's air conditioner

[Jessd]

Hi!

Ok, I thought maybe someone here would have a clue. I have a 2007 Focus. Starting last year, once and a while when my car's air conditioner is on, there is a wierd smell. I don't know how to describe it, but it is sort of like a vinegar smell. The smell is bad enough for me to turn the air conditioner off and roast in the heat.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[ElizK]

Any chance you may have used the windshield wiper fluid before you smell that smell? I used to get a weird smell like that in the car I had before this one.

 

[Jessd]

Any chance you may have used the windshield wiper fluid before you smell that smell? I used to get a weird smell like that in the car I had before this one.

Hmm, I don't think so. It happened yesterday and I know I didn't use the wiper fluid. It is really strange!

 

[maslex]

Not to gross you out but I've heard of people finding dead mice or squirrels up in there engine. Maybe that has something to do with it?

 

[mom of 3G's]

My vote is for a mouse nest.

 

[OK!]

I've had that same thing happen, but it usually only lasts a few seconds or so and then dissipates. It always happens right on start-up, so I assumed it was something to do with the coolant or whatever maybe having some funkiness that settled in it that gets blown out, but I really have no idea.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am going to guess HEATER CORE! Pretty soon you might have antifreeze dumping into your passenger floor when it goes out.

Another problem that may occur is if one of the connections to the heater core begins to leak. This may first be noticeable by smell (ethylene glycol is widely used as coolant and has a sweet smell), later it may cause (somewhat greasy) fogging of the windshield above the windshield heater vents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heater_core

 

[jlima]

Does your car have an air filter for the passenger compartment; and if so, has it ever been changed? Imagine a tiny air conditioner filter for your car. They can get pretty gross.

 

[shrubber]

Pretty common problem with a few of Fords cars. Up until '04 ( I think ), they put in cabin air filters in the Focus. Most new cars have them even though most owners don't know they are there. Basically, its a cotton/fabric air filter that sits on the end of the air ducts that move the hot or cold air into the cabin. It was used to remove dust and odors. Usually, it sits just behind or under the glove box. All the duct work and filter parts for your '07 are there, but Ford stopped putting the filters in and instead welded a mesh screen over the hole. Odds are it ( the screen is clogged or covered with goo ) Think clothes dryer filter.

 

[Hercules10]

I agree with the air filter theory. My 4Runner does the same thing. Vinegar smell. Pop out the air filter by glove box, pop in new one and no more smell.

 

[ma2jr]

My vote is for a mouse nest.

Eek

 

[shrubber]

I agree with the air filter theory. My 4Runner does the same thing. Vinegar smell. Pop out the air filter by glove box, pop in new one and no more smell.

There is no cabin air filter in a '07 Focus

 

[JESW]

My van is currently at the dealer getting rid of its "mice infestation". There is an awful, sickening odor when I sit in the drivers seat. I can hear them scurrying around above my head. Do you see any droppings in your car? Check around for them to see if you do have a rodent problem. Hope it's not it for you as this is going to cost us.. They have to peel back the inside roof, check all the wires (dvd player and radio no longer work), repair as necessary and disinfect.

Jill

 

[Jessd]

Wow! Guess what DH is going to be doing tonight? Looking for mice in my car! I have never seen droppings anywhere in the car. I will look for the air filter too.

 

[ozarkmom]

I know that smell and it's not a dead animal. It smells like vinegar. My 2001 Ford mini van did that for a while then stopped just before I traded it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just asked DH and he says it is mold you are smelling.

"Clean air coming from the outside as it travels thru the AC is encountering moldy/stagnant water. What that is doing is creating your smell."

He said google moldly ac on your car.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2224740


I'm not saying that's it, but I'd at least take a peak under the hood.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2224740


I'm not saying that's it, but I'd at least take a peak under the hood.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Not to gross you out but I've heard of people finding dead mice or squirrels up in there engine. Maybe that has something to do with it?

That happened to me! It was horrible! I was never able to get the smell out. My cousin (mechanic) took the fan out and cleaned it with bleach. I ran two bombs of stuff through the venting system that I got from a sanitary supply company that they use to get rid of the smell of decomposing bodies which helped for awhile but it came back! I finally traded the car in, I couldn't use the heat at all.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I am going to guess HEATER CORE! Pretty soon you might have antifreeze dumping into your passenger floor when it goes out.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heater_core

I'll take bets this is your problem. As soon as I read the part about the smell, I figured this was your problem. My Ford truck did this same thing last year, and it was the heater core. And ours did the anitfreeze dumping into the passenger floor, too. Ugh... DH fixed it and I can't remember what it cost, and he's asleep or I would ask. Have your DH check this out.