Smelly AC ?

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Mar 14, 2006 | 09:28 PM

zman764

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Laughing Gas

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Smelly AC ?

Just the other day my 97 f150 started having a stinkin smell in it. I keep it clean on the inside. There is nothing inside my cab that should of caused it. I am sure its coming from the ac. For some strange reason its worse when blowing cold air than hot air. Kinda has a slight fishy funk to it. I sprayed lysol on the air intake running the ac through all its cycles. Has not helped yet.

Please Please help. The smell is almost unbarable. I checked no sardines sittin ontop of my muffler. Just smelly ac air. Any any advice at all would be great.

I guess I should add. Here in South Carolina the weather latley has been window down weather. I usualy put the temp. in the middle and let it blow outside air on the floor. We had 1 hot day I ran ac on normal to work, max on the way home, it was fine. The next day drove it ac on and it stunk to hi heaven.

Thanks.

Mar 15, 2006 | 07:25 AM

projectSHO89

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From: St Louis

Most likely, the drain for the A/C condensate has clogged. It's at the base of the firewall under the truck. Some of them have a hose, some have only a nipple.

If the drain clogs, all kinds of nasy stuff grows (like molds and bacteria) in the soup that forms. It can stink pretty bad.

Clear the drain first.

Once clear, there are disinfectants than can be put into the plenum to help get rid of the odor.

Steve

Last edited by projectSHO89; Mar 15, 2006 at 07:28 AM.

Mar 15, 2006 | 07:57 AM

zman764

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Laughing Gas

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There is always a rather large puddle under my truck after I run the a/c, does that mean the drain you're talkin about is clear?

Mar 15, 2006 | 05:27 PM

zman764

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Laughing Gas

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Ok this seems pretty obvious to me now that I talked to Ford. Heater core. The smell is radiator fluid. 8-9 hundred for most places around here to replace it. My uncle is gettin someone to work on it. (My uncle runs a ford shop) Soo smelly ac solved. Is 191k miles good for a heater core ?

Mar 15, 2006 | 09:17 PM

jseim44

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From: St. Libory

This is interesting. My A/C smells also so I will check the little drain deal. I would say that 191k is pretty good as we replaced mine at like 140k. If you have some time and can be without your truck for a day or two you can do it yourself. It is a good test of your patience though, but you will also save stock piles of money!!!!

Mar 15, 2006 | 09:22 PM

zman764

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Laughing Gas

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Ha Ha Im not good on time or patience, I would love to do it my self. But I know somethin will go wrong and everything won't go back together exactly how it should. So imma gonna leave it to the professionals.

Mar 15, 2006 | 10:13 PM

jseim44

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From: St. Libory

What makes it more "fun" is when you have to take it apart a month later to change the blend door motor because you still don't have heat. I wonder if it was a coincidence that my heater core and blend door motor gave up at the same time? You might check your's and make sure everything is functioning. Your heater will be all sorts of hot after she's fixed.