Both of my trucks have been emitting a terrible smell from the vents when you first start up the truck. It's a real putrid, stink, stale air smell for about 5 -10 seconds, then it's not too bad. We have had quit a few forest fires in the area and the air is really smoky. If you turn off the truck and re-start it immediately, the smell is just as bad as if it was off overnight. We have been using the system on A/C with fresh air intake (not recirculation) most of the time and heat early in the morings and late at night.

Is there a filter I can change that may help? Could the forest fire smoke be reacting with the plastic vents tubes? Or is my best bet just to spray some Ozium into the vents in hope to kill the smell?

 

i dont know about the newer trucks, but on my 2001 if you take off the heater core cover(behind the glovebox door) there is a foam(i guess you could call it a filter) cover on the air intake port. the smell could be comming from that. i have also heard that sometimes the water drain for the intake vents can get plugged up and cause a smell. i think the drain is under the truck on the passenger side fender well.

 

I will check the foam filter (if I even have one). Is the water drain you're talking about the same as the A/C condenser drain? There is a puddle of water underneath the truck from the A/C condenser when you park it.

 

i don think so , i think there is a seperate drain for the air intake. i will say i have never actually done anything with the intake drain, i am just repeating things i have read about it on FTE

 

Make sure you turn your selector switch to the off position before shutting the truck off. This is so the air box has a chance to dry out over night or when not in use. Otherwise the airbox stays sealed up and mold will start to grow and that's what will cause some of the smell. Thats what I've heard anyway.

 

Skunk smell right? Been there done that! Is now starting to go away after a few thousand miles and months too.