This could be in another area/thread, not able to find. 2002 Explorer xlt, my air conditioner smell's like dirt or mold when I put on the defrost. I understand some unit's have a cabin filter. Question, do I have 1 ? , can I change it ?, If not, how do I get rid of the smell. Possible to get step by step directions ? thanks Pete

 

Your '02 Explorer doesn't have a cabin air filter. The 1st thing to check is the fresh air intake in front of the windshield on the passenger side for moldy leaves or dirt. You may also have a plugged drain for the A/C evap coil; if condensate can't drain out, you might have all kinds of neat little things growing in there.

Steve

 

Thank's steve, Do you have any clue, on the location of the drain tube ? Pete

 

Pete -

Climb underneath and look up a little forward of where the passenger's feet would be; if I remember right, the drain is square-shaped where it exits the floorpan.

Steve

 

Steve; no luck on the square- shaped drain,,,,,, what's next ? Pete

 

Hmmmmm........there's gotta be a drain there somewhere! Is it still warm enough in your part of CA to run the A/C for awhile to see if the condensate drains out?

Steve

 

The only thing I saw , was a black rubber piece , with warm water dripping out . It's located just behind the motor/trans , in the mid part of the pass compartment , The only reason I found that was becuase I put the car up on a pair of ramp's . If this is it, than why no dripping when on all 4's? Pete

 

Maybe you've got some sludge laying in the box, preventing the condensate from draining out unless the car's tilted. If you've got water in the climate control unit all the time you can see why it would get musty...

 

Quick and TEMPORARY fix... Spray some Lysol in the cowl vent while the A/C is on.

I have noticed smell with about every car I have owned with A/C every spring. Some times all it takes is one or two shots of Lysol and it's good for another year.

IIRC, I have seen some spray cans of "special" Auto A/C air freshener... Doubt they are much more effective that any "regular" spray air freshener that contains a mold/mildew 'cide though