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One thing the manual does say though is that you're supposed to leave the vents open when you park the truck. Anything but "0" or Max A/C (recirculate) so the system can breathe. I suppose Ford says that for a reason. Maybe if you don't let it breathe, it will eventually develop mildew inside. Could that be the issue here?
Ford sells an aerosol can of stuff to spray at the base of windsheild by the wipers while running the AC. I believe it freshens and kills mold that can be in the system, air is drawn in from that area so spraying it there gets it inside where mold may be.
When I worked at a Nissan dealer we had some stuff called FRIGIFRESH that did just wans Scholzee said. You stray it in the fresh air intake and it deodorizes and kills mold/nasty stuff. It itself wasn't good smelling, but it worked. Haven't seen any in a non-dealer parts place though.
Not to hijack the thread or anything but, does the 98 Eddie Bauer model have a cabin filter? The smell that is comin' out of my vents is killing me! Thanks.
that smell is mold on the evap it happens when you always use the max a/c feature and never let the system breathe fresh dry air . you need to run it on different settings from time to time to prevent this.
A cheaper solution is to buy Lysol (any scent will do) and spray into the fresh air intake. I do that with both our cars every month or so and have no issues with smell.
well i would not use the lysol. it eats plastic and is very flammable. i would not spray it in there, not with a open motor running that creates sparks .
I have a 1997 EB Expedition and a '03 Supercrew...I rarely use the max AC setting and after the air has been running for a little bit, I get the same smell from both vehicles....does anyone know the name of the Ford stuff so I can ask for it by name at the dealership?
I have had the same problem (2000 Exp EB) and the lysol in the air intake solved the problem. I you turn the A/C on Max, the air intake is on the passenger floor by the console. Just shoot the Lusol in there with the A/C on max and it took care of the smell.
For the future, turn the A/C to Vent and let some fresh air in right before you turn the car off. Then any moisture in the system can evaporate.
When I worked at a Nissan dealer we had some stuff called FRIGIFRESH that did just wans Scholzee said. You stray it in the fresh air intake and it deodorizes and kills mold/nasty stuff. It itself wasn't good smelling, but it worked. Haven't seen any in a non-dealer parts place though.
Yeah I used that on a Safari van I was driving for a Nissan dealer. The truck WREAKED because the previous driver never bathed or cleaned the truck! But the vents smelled too so the Shipper gave me a can of it and it worked wonders.
Maybe just go to a Nissan dealer and get some? I work at a Ford dealer now so I can ask on Monday. But can't til then.
Last edited by DenDanger; Jul 1, 2005 at 02:00 PM.