Musty AC Smell in 2010 Model?

This applies to EVERY car on the planet with AC!!!

 

Don't keep it in recirc all the time.

 

Yes it does, and most have service bulletins on how to deal with it. Usually it is due to mold growing on the evaporator coil and ther is usually a proscess to clean it. At least you don't have legionares diease

 

I don't even have mold, I vent before I get home, dries the pumbing right out. But then I live in a desert! Somebdy in Florida is not going to achieve the same results as I do!
That being said, I also agree it's sad when that's the best fix, this side of Lysol!!! Moisture, and A/C go hand in hand...it takes lots of time and money to violate the laws of physics!!!

 

Usually there is a service bulletin that explains to the dealer exactly how to clean the evaporator and which cleaner to use, and honestly Lysol is sometimes as good. There is also some form of chemical that "boils" as it is applied to the evaporator coil. Any HVAC service person will know what I'm talking about.
I bet your evaporator has mold growing on it, and that may not be healthy either. It is very common down here in south GA and North Fl., almost certainly because of the humidity

 

The Prius A/C is a variable speed electric compressor. Its on almost all the time. In comparison, a regular automotive compressor frequently cycles, with a magnetic clutch in the hub

It could be the evaporator coil being always wet has something to do with the smell issue in Prius A/C, as my Prius developed a nasty funk after several summers.

I managed to "borrow" an expensive fiber optic inspection tool off work, drilled a few pilot holes in the case, then a couple of 1/2 holes facing the e-coil

I used the following EPA certified chemicals, from Nu Calgon

Nu-Calgon: Products: IAQ Assurance Program

Nu-Calgon: Products: IAQ Assurance Program

Neither product requires rinsing. Unlike Lysol, both products are specifically formulated and approved for common e-coil construction (Aluminum fins, copper tubing, plastic case, etc).

Never, ever use something like household bleach on a house or car e-coil. Although the bleach will absolutely eradicate whatever is growing in your e-coil, it will also destroy the e-coil in the process

 

I've had this problem in other cars. A quick google search of (no I'm not kidding) "air conditioner smells like feet" gave me a lot of ideas. The one that worked was spraying an entire can of lysol into the air vents. Also it's a good idea to turn the AC off about 90 seconds before you park, this keeps condensation from building up and saves energy, as you don't need the compressor to maintain cold air for the last minute and a half.

 

One cup of EvapFresh, sprayed on the e-coil, will work far better than, and last much longer than Lysol. It won't leave behind a Lysol stink either

 

Could you elaborate:
1. How do you get to the evaporator coil? (from the filter side -- cabin?)
2. How do you apply "One cup of EvapFresh"?
Thanks.

 

Jays right but its difficult to get to the e-coil to spray it.

The official dealer fix is they have a spray can of foaming cleaner with a special applicator tip. You jam that can into the e-coil rubber drain hose. That hose can be seen right behind the pass front wheel about 2 feet in. You spray the entire can contents up in there. The foamy cleaner soaks the e-coil and cleans it. It changes from foam to liquid and leaks back out. It kills the mold and the smell. Works real good. My dealer offers the service free up to the first 5000 miles. After thats its $100.
The can, actually 2 cans sell for $25 over the dealer parts counter.
Comes with the rubber hose attachment.The other can is just perfume that gets sprayed into the front air dam. Pretty intense perfume. I will skip that next time.

This treatment lasts about 2 years.

I did mine about 2 years ago and its starting to smell a little again. Turning on the heater with the wicked cold we had this winter has made it worse.

Here's the deal on preventing the smell. As a previous poster said you must allow the condensate to drain out after a drive. Always use recirc as it filters the air in the cabin and keeps dust out of the car. But about a mile or two before arriving at your destination turn the air off and change form recirc to fresh air to let the e-coil dry out. When you park always leave it in fresh air to vent it.

If you park the car with a soaked e-coil it will quickly become mold.

Now this recirc/fresh air procedure only works if you have not contaminated the e-coil already.

If you have the smell already its to late. You must get rid of the smell using the foamy cleaner that actually cleanses the mold. Then do the fesh air procedure and you'll be good for a few years.

Spraying anything in the vents does nothing. The vents aren't the issue.

 

First off..+1 Good Post!
The right answer!!

Question however, where does the foam that turns into a liquid run down and drip on when it's done killing mold and gravity takes over??
How do you recover the leftovers cleanly?
Serious question, I need to take care of the wifes car, but she wants no mess afterwards!!!

 

I always drive with AC on and never had troubles (even in winter).

 

My Prius is 10 months old and no odor issue.

My previous car (BMW 545i) had the issue on and off after about a year (it's a very common issue with BMWs), and following advice on a BMW forum, I purchased Wurth A/C & Heating System Treatment, and didn't have the issue after that:
Wurth A/C & Heating System Treatment 6 oz.

 

The residual gradue drains back out the condensate drain. I've not done it on a Prius but on previous cars. It will gross you out and may require a piece of stiff wire with a hook to unclog the black slime from the drain.

 

Exactly.. the foam drains back out the same tube. I have been lucky so far and no nastyness dripping out. Just white liquid.
I just bought a set of cans yesterday. $24.50 out the door for the 2 cans. It rained all weeked here so I'll catch it next week.

Don't think I'll use the second can as its just really strong perfume.
But its sold as a kit as there shrink wrapped together.
Couldn't drive the car for about 1/2 hour after the perfume treatment but the cleaner works great. It lasts almost 2 years if you don't forget to vent before you stop. That venting procedure works!!! But won't help if your already stinking.

I did the my house e-coil a while ago too. Man, was it overdue.
House smells 100% better. Thats a big job too but worth it.
Mold in your house ac can make you really sick, and at the least make your sinuses go crazy.

Home Depot doesn't sell the e-coil cleaner anymore. Just a spray can to do the outside condenser. I went to a AC supply warehouse and bought a gallon of anti-microdial e-coil cleaner ands went at it
using a new bug spray pump up bottle.
Home Depot does sell this though:

Coating Filter Charger by Web Products Inc - More Furnace filters at doitbest.com

This product works really good. It enhances the capture quality of a disposable filter. I use it on my home filters and the cabin filter of my 2007 prius. Has a real nice lemon scent too.