Musty Smell From AC

[bsquaredMTB]

I know this has been a problem in the past but I thought I'd ask on this forum for our 4th gen Tacomas. I've recently started getting a musty smell on my tacoma when I turn on the AC. In the past, I've cleaned out or replaced the filter and it helps for a bit but I was curious if anyone found a better, long-term solution.

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[Airborne]

Circulate Lysol or another disinfectant spray through the vents, kills mold, mildew and germs.
David.

 

[MJB4450]

There are tons of various brands (including dealership factory brand) A/C vent system spray deodorizers that kill the mold that causes the odor. Check Amazon of any car parts store. Toyota parts may even have a house brand. I had a problem with a Ram of mine a while back. Bought the Mopar spray can and it cleared it up and never had another issue.

 

[bsquaredMTB]

I've seen those sprays for previous gens. They basically spray up the drain hose right?

 

[Will721]

In my experience they typically spray into the intake of the hvac. Turn off recirculation, remove filter, and spray chosen product into the cowl infront of the windshield. Lysol works great.

The musty smell is just a side effect of newer hvac boxes being sealed up so much. Some of these cars nowadays have HEPA quality air filtration, but the trade off is stagnation when not in use.

 

[Don Hoe]

I know this has been a problem in the past but I thought I'd ask on this forum for our 4th gen Tacomas. I've recently started getting a musty smell on my tacoma when I turn on the AC. In the past, I've cleaned out or replaced the filter and it helps for a bit but I was curious if anyone found a better, long-term solution.
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Car Care Nut (YouTube) Highly Recommends this kit. Air Conditioning System Refresh Kit

 

[GSPHerder]

In my experience they typically spray into the intake of the hvac. Turn off recirculation, remove filter, and spray chosen product into the cowl infront of the windshield. Lysol works great.

Yep, spray into intake underneath underneath windshield wiper. Replace cabin filter.

 

[bsquaredMTB]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I did the lysol in the intake yesterday and that cleared it up mostly. It's kind of crazy this is still a thing with these new vehicles, but I guess it's a thing because they ARE newer vehicles. Thanks again!

 

[taco4th]

This all you need oem service from Toyota for that problem

 

[bsquaredMTB]

@taco4th where are you spraying that in the 4th gen?

 

[taco4th]

here is video how how to do it. @bsquaredMTB

 

[bsquaredMTB]

Nice. I had seen that video in the past but wasn't sure if that little tube was the same one in the 4th gen. Looks like that's not a 4th gen but i'm thinking that little tube is in a similar location.

 

[taco4th]

 

[taco4th]

That is your draining tube right there @bsquaredMTB

 

[Will721]

FYI if anyone's got a rig that just smells funny in general, lysol does wonders grenade style to.

An old car dealers trick for smokers cars, including the wacky tobaky, is to shampoo all cloth materials. Then start the car with the A/C on full blast on recirculate. Then take a can of lysol, remove the plastic surrounding the nozzel and duct tape the button down. Toss it in the car with the windows up and just let it go to work.

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