Anyone else have a musty smell when the a/c comes on? I took it to the dealer and they sprayed something and it kept it smelling good for about two months, now it's back. I have read spraying Lysol into the intake vents works. Any ideas?

 

The musty smell is from the unit being run in recirculating mode too often.Spraying lysol does work but has its risks. Lysol can catch fire very quick and once the mist hits the open blower motor resistor it can cause a fire.The stuff the dealer uses is called ozium you can get it at walmart and many other places. Its the same stuff used in hospitals to control bacteria. it looks like this http://www.restockit.com/Ozium-Glycolized-Air-Sanitizer-64-oz-Vanilla-Scent--(WTB53131CWD).html?source=froogle

 

I will check it out. You think it better to have spray it in the fresh air intake by the cowling or the inside intake by the passenger side?

 

I used to use that stuff on my 1989 Bronco II that had recurring musty AC odor. I'd put it on RECIRC mode and blast the Ozium under the dash into the intakes. It would usually last for several months. I think it kills bacteria inside the venting that causes the odor.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

Berry,
Find out if your Expy has a panel air filter, if it does, then you'd need to replace it. Mine is an older model and the panel air filter is located right under the glove compartment.

 

These models do not have a filter, thanks.

 

I used to work in an automotive A/C shop and the Lysol thing is what we did for the musty smell prople complained about.

Put the unit in recirc and shoot it right into fans intake.

Never heard of one catching on fire from this, but since propane is the propellent used these days I wouldn't discount the possibility either.

you might want to know where a fire extinguisher is, just to be on the safe side.

 

Thanks sixpak. I could not find where the a/c pulls the air from within the cab. I can hear it, I just can't see it. I am going to rig a straw onto the lysol and shoot it through the cowling. Hope it works.

 

airsept is approved by many mfgs and actually coats the evaporator where the mildew likes to grow. Its pretty easy to apply if you know how to get to the plenum... the applicator gun is spendy though... I did this a few years ago and haven't had any problems since...

 

some vehicles have a cabin air filter that is located on the cowl or firewall under the hood where they suck air in.

 

Another interesting thing I have found is when you shut off your automatic climate control, it shuts the fresh air door. I have been doing that before I turn my car off. Since I have left it on while turning the car off, the musty smell is lessening.

 

This might be an answer...

A/C leaks water on passenger side floor.
It was one year and 25,000 miles of ownership before I discovered the A/C leaking water. I might not have discovered this if it was not for the see-through clear floor mats that I recently installed. Since the floor mat is see-though I had noticed water condensation on the backside of the floor mat.

2007 and 2008 Ford Expedition have a design flaw which causes the A/C evaporator coil housing box to condensate and leak water on and under the passenger side floorboard carpet. The water will run down the firewall behind and under the carpet so it may not be noticed. This is caused by a lack of insulation.

The AC evaporator coil is located on the passenger side under and glove compartment box. To test for the water leak, take a paper towel and lay it out on the left side of the passenger side floor carpet, making sure you tuck and fold some of it up over and behind the carpet between the firewall. (The firewall is the metal wall that separates the passenger compartment from the engine compartment.) Now go for a drive with your A/C on for awhile, if the temperature and humidity are just right, it will start to condensate and drip and leak water.

This can cause mold, making the inside of the vehicle smell bad and have a musty odor, and ruin the carpet and carpet padding, and overtime rust the floorboard.


I have pictures on my website at…. http://www.Baumbach.com/Expedition.htm

 

Have you taken it to the dealer for this?

 

To eliminate the bacteria from growing after runnning the a\c you should run the heater about 5-10 minutes before you get home or let it sit over night. this will dry out the heater box so the bacteria doesnt grow