Musty A/C - Dealer service

I believe the standard advice is to shut off the AC 1 or 2 blocks from your destination and put it on Outside air full blast. Of course, take the AC filter off and clean it. You can also spray the filter (lightly) with some air freshener. I also spray the inside of the car once in a while and close the doors quickly before bedding down. PS I should not think it a problem in Arizona.

 

Roy, you might try some scented Lysol on the A/C filter to see if that helps. I think Fram also makes a scented filter but I don't think it will kill any mildew or fungus in the system. Just turning off the A/C before I get home has always helped me keep my system smell fresh as well.

 

I don't have this issue on my Prius, but did on a previous car, and based on a recommendation I saw on another car forum, got a bottle of Wurth A/C & Heating System Treatment. Easy to use, and I had the car for 2 years afterwards and the odor never returned:
Wurth A/C & Heating System Treatment 6 oz.

 

That's caused by leaving it in recirc for too long. Make sure it's getting outside air through and the problem should resolve itself.

 

You also might want to check the pan on the interior unit. There is a small rubber pipe that sticks out of the pan that allows the water that has condensed to leak out of the pan. If the pipe is blocked you will have stale water sitting in the condensor pan an mold will eventually grow. to test this put a running hose with near the base of the windshield you should see water coming out near the front of the footwell on the passenger side. If not the hose is clogged. Once you get in un-clogged using compressed air. You can pour a weak solution of water in bleach near the base of the windshield, try not to get it on everything. This should eliminate any mold growing in the pan.

 

Is this covered under the warranty?

 

Once you get mold growing in the evaporator coils, your only option is to clean the fins. There are evaporator coil cleaners out there, but I can't locate where the evap coil is in a Prius.

On my prior car, there was an opening in the firewall giving easy access to the coils and fins. You could spray the cleaner in there and rinse it 10 minutes later and all kinds of crud would come out the drain tube.

If anyone knows how to access the evap coils, the knowledge would be appreciated.