What Makes the Car's A/C Smell Bad?
You crank up your car's air conditioning on a hot, summer day and instead of a refreshing, cool breeze you are greeted by a musty, foul smell. This smell originates from the moisture that is involved in creating air conditioning inside your vehicle. Understanding how your air conditioner works can help you identify the reason for the smell and better equip you to remove the odor from your system.
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Basics
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The car air-conditioning system works much like a home air conditioner and features six primary components. The compressor serves as the A/C's power unit, sending refrigerant vapor to the condenser, which turns this vapor into liquid. This liquid refrigerant then moves to the receiver-drier, an area that stores the liquid and eliminates moisture. The next stop is the thermostatic expansion valve, which depressurizes the refrigerant and causes it to drop in temperature.
Evaporator
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The final stop on the refrigerant's journey is the evaporator, and this is where an odor in your air-conditioning unit originates. The evaporator takes in the refrigerant and vaporizes it, creating a cool air that is ready to be blown through the car's cabin.
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The Smell
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As the evaporator completes its job in the air-conditioning process, moisture begins to form around the evaporator's coils. This moisture is a haven for mildew, as well as other dust particles, bacteria and germs. Over time, the stench of these unwanted pollutants makes its way through the air-conditioning vents. Car passengers are hit with a smell that Popular Mechanics compares to stinky gym socks.
Odor Removal
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Luckily, there are ways to combat this foul odor. Some newer model cars feature a filter that keeps mold spores out and helps to deal with the smell if they do get in. For cars without this accessory, several companies make an odor remover that can be sprayed into air intake valves and vents. These sprays should eliminate smells from the evaporator. Another method for reducing air-conditioner odor is to turn off the A/C as you near your destination and simply run the fan. The fan will serve as a dryer for any moisture that has built up on the evaporator.
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References
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