[texmedley2003]

It seems that the previous owner of my car was a smoker. That is not a problem because I do to but I don't smoke in my car. My question is.... is there a filter or something like that in the air ducts of the car that I can replace to get rid of the smell that comes out of the air ducts when the air conditioner is turned on? I have tried all kinds of air freshners in the car and the inside smells real nice but once the air comes on that is all that you smell.

Help!!!

[jim293]

Does it smell like cigarettes? In my expedition every once in a while this smell comes out just for a second that smells just kind of nasty. It goes away as quick as it comes. Not sure if there is a filter in it or not.

[texmedley2003]

Yes like Cigaretts. In my Tahoe i put a dryer sheet over the return air under the dash but I can't find where the return air is on the mustang to do the same thing.

[ronjon88]

That smell that comes from the air conditioner right when you turn it on that smells nasty is odor causing bacteria and mildew that grows on the condenser from the condensation that accumulates when it air is turned on. The only way to get rid of that smell is to buy air duct odor purifier at an auto parts store in their air conditioning section. All you have to do is spray it into the air conditionings air intake which is usually under the windshield or cowl grill and the smell will go away.

[myltlpny]

You can try changing the cabin air filter. I'm not sure where it is on your car, but the owners manual, or somebody on this forum, should know where it is.
If it's in the fabric, try something like Fabreeze. It seems to work pretty well at getting odors out, and isn't flowery smelling.
After that, you might have to get hard core. I know a company that will seal the car with an ionic filter that supposedly removes all odors. I can get you the name of the company, I think they're national. According to him it's not that expensive, but you do have to seal the car up for a couple of days.

[texmedley2003]

Originally Posted by ronjon88

That smell that comes from the air conditioner right when you turn it on that smells nasty is odor causing bacteria and mildew that grows on the condenser from the condensation that accumulates when it air is turned on. The only way to get rid of that smell is to buy air duct odor purifier at an auto parts store in their air conditioning section. All you have to do is spray it into the air conditionings air intake which is usually under the windshield or cowl grill and the smell will go away.

Can you tell me what the name of that Air Duct Odor Purifer is?

[jim293]

Originally Posted by myltlpny

You can try changing the cabin air filter. I'm not sure where it is on your car, but the owners manual, or somebody on this forum, should know where it is.
If it's in the fabric, try something like Fabreeze. It seems to work pretty well at getting odors out, and isn't flowery smelling.
After that, you might have to get hard core. I know a company that will seal the car with an ionic filter that supposedly removes all odors. I can get you the name of the company, I think they're national. According to him it's not that expensive, but you do have to seal the car up for a couple of days.

Yeah that is what it smells like Mildewy. But it goes away real quick.

[ronjon88]

Originally Posted by texmedley2003

Can you tell me what the name of that Air Duct Odor Purifer is?

Sorry, it took me so long to get back to you. I was on vacation. Anyways the brand of the air duct odor purifier is Interdynamics, and they call it Pure Air Professional Strength AC Air Duct Odor Purifier. Hope that solves your problem. My car was also previously owned by a smoker. I could not get rid of the smell in the interior so i steamed cleaned it and replaced the headliner. However, the air conditioning would smell for a few seconds when i would turn it on, so i tried this stuff and it worked.

[302Feen]

There used to be this stuff you could put in a bottle of windshield washer fluid that was scented. I dont think they make it anymore but you could use something that is scented and put it in your windshield washer fluid and everytime you squirt your windshield it'll smell good.

[hotshot]

i say try and change the cabin air filter. It needs to be changed every once in a while as routine maintenance. Or you can try sticking an air freshener in there.... I wonder if they made one to smell like S197 new leather yet :