Vinegar smell?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 852
Likes: 90
From: Florida
Vinegar smell?
I’ve noticed over the last few months that during the initial start of my truck in the morning I have what I could only describe as a vinegar smell coming from the air vents.
truck only has 9000 miles on it.
is changing the cabin filter my only option or something else going on?
truck only has 9000 miles on it.
is changing the cabin filter my only option or something else going on?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 606
I’ve noticed over the last few months that during the initial start of my truck in the morning I have what I could only describe as a vinegar smell coming from the air vents.
truck only has 9000 miles on it.
is changing the cabin filter my only option or something else going on?
truck only has 9000 miles on it.
is changing the cabin filter my only option or something else going on?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 527
Likes: 289
From: Wonderful, Fun, Pahrump!
As morehouse7 said, there is (mold) mildew somewhere in the system. Much more common in newer vehicles than in the past. You may need to give it a nice long ozone treatment to get rid of it in the ducts after you have eliminated everything else.
bob
bob
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 852
Likes: 90
From: Florida
is this a warranty issue or something I need to figure out on my own?
i have no idea where to start looking
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 852
Likes: 90
From: Florida
truck is 2020.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 606
Pull your cabin air filter and smell it
Let the truck sit for however long it takes to build the smell -Turn on your fan with just vents, no AC / no Defrost and smell it
turn on the AC and smell it.
Once you narrow it down you cant start looking for the usual suspects..
-Organic decaying matter in the fresh air intake, clogged AC drain/leak etc..
Just have to be systematic about it and you'll figure it out. May take a few days but not insurmountable.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 606
Find the source before you go down that road. Ozone gas will oxidize the odor but unless you eliminate the source it will be a very temporary relief.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 426
Likes: 92
I see you are in FLA. I will ad a little to this. You use your AC more than the Northern states. Just as you come onto your street for a mile or so before home turn the AC off and leave the fan on. This allows the condenser to dry out a bit. I live in TN and when I run my AC I do this.
Look in the cabin filter box for pine needles and leaves.
I know my old dealer would have checked this under warranty for me. My new dealer might.
Good Luck finding the source.
Look in the cabin filter box for pine needles and leaves.
I know my old dealer would have checked this under warranty for me. My new dealer might.
Good Luck finding the source.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 852
Likes: 90
From: Florida
The filter definitely smells like vinegar. No leaves debris in the filter box. The filter was quite clean as well. All is clear under the hood near the front window as well. The AC does drain well, I think. When ever I get home after about 20 min or so when I have walked back out to the truck, I see a big wet spot on the concrete near the engine.
I tried the "Turn on your fan with just vents, no AC / no Defrost and smell it
turn on the AC and smell it." Honestly, it smells the same. I didnt notice a stronger scent one way or the other.
I tried the "Turn on your fan with just vents, no AC / no Defrost and smell it
turn on the AC and smell it." Honestly, it smells the same. I didnt notice a stronger scent one way or the other.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,162
Likes: 1,373
From: Chaz
Keep the filter out (but close the box) and get the AC pro fogger and run it as directions say. Oreilys is where I got it.
Then use the spray can duct clean (AC pro or Armorall) and do the vents and inlet on the cowl (with it not on recirculate). Also do the ducts and dash duct.
When putting the new filter in spray out the box with ozium. Then use the rest on the seats and carpet.
Really quick job. I just did this on a used truck with similar miles as your. Was sitting with a window broke out for 3-4 months in a field.
Then use the spray can duct clean (AC pro or Armorall) and do the vents and inlet on the cowl (with it not on recirculate). Also do the ducts and dash duct.
When putting the new filter in spray out the box with ozium. Then use the rest on the seats and carpet.
Really quick job. I just did this on a used truck with similar miles as your. Was sitting with a window broke out for 3-4 months in a field.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 852
Likes: 90
From: Florida
Keep the filter out (but close the box) and get the AC pro fogger and run it as directions say. Oreilys is where I got it.
Then use the spray can duct clean (AC pro or Armorall) and do the vents and inlet on the cowl (with it not on recirculate). Also do the ducts and dash duct.
When putting the new filter in spray out the box with ozium. Then use the rest on the seats and carpet.
Really quick job. I just did this on a used truck with similar miles as your. Was sitting with a window broke out for 3-4 months in a field.
Then use the spray can duct clean (AC pro or Armorall) and do the vents and inlet on the cowl (with it not on recirculate). Also do the ducts and dash duct.
When putting the new filter in spray out the box with ozium. Then use the rest on the seats and carpet.
Really quick job. I just did this on a used truck with similar miles as your. Was sitting with a window broke out for 3-4 months in a field.
Are these the 2 items ?
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...spray+ac&pos=2
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...gger+pro&pos=0
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 527
Likes: 289
From: Wonderful, Fun, Pahrump!
There are tons of articles online about this and how to remedy. Bottom line is it is mold so there is moisture somewhere. When I lived in WA state I had the same issue. Since moving to NV with a relative humidity of 10-15% the smell has gone away. I attribute it to finally drying out the duct system.
bob
bob
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,162
Likes: 1,373
From: Chaz
The second one. They also have the aerosol spray in the same brand.