Smelly 4runner!

[PanteraLKN]

ok -- this is the first winter i've had this issue -- when running my heater i'm getting a foul oder coming through my vents -- its as bad as dirty sneakers!:deadhorse

any ideas on what would be causing this? is there a filter somewhere i need to change?


thanks

Mark

[CJ3Flyr]

ok -- this is the first winter i've had this issue -- when running my heater i'm getting a foul oder coming through my vents -- its as bad as dirty sneakers!:deadhorse

any ideas on what would be causing this? is there a filter somewhere i need to change?


thanks

Mark


Yes, there's a cabin filter. With a Phillips head scewdriver remove the 'shock' on the glovebox door so it can flop way open and be removed. Behind that is the filter. You can read 'cabin filter' or something to that effect embossed on the white plastic.

I have washed mine in the clothes washer then air dry. Many go to a home improvement store and buy a 3m Filtrete filter and cut out a new filter element to insert in the OEM filter frame. Or spend a lot of money at the dealer for a new one...

This thread (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29963)has all the details...


:rockon:

[4mudder]

It could also be a build up of mildew in the vents. Do you live in a humid part of the country? There are kits available to get rid of the smell. I bought a high quality Bosch cabin filter for my truck at Autozone (I think) for $27.

[my034runner]

Do you have any mice or rats around your house?? We actually see, quite a lot of dead mice in the the duct work. Sounds odd, but I think the shop had like two cars last week. That might be something to really look at.
Also, the cabin air filter will need to be changed, and I also use the Bosch cabin filter, blows away the overpriced OEM filyer!! AutoZone, think I paid like aroud $21.00 or so last time I bought one.

It doesn't require any tools to change it. Open the glove box....take oput a bunch of the crap so it doesn't fall out. On each side of the glove box, pull in the two arms, and the drawer will drop...keep an out out for the little black shock on the right hand side as you do this, so you'll remember how it goes back in.
You can't miss the cabin filter, pull out the tray, pull out the the old filter, and toss it.
Don't throw it in your washer and dryer!!!

my :2cents :2cents :2cents :2cents :2cents

[PanteraLKN]

I'm picking up a new cabin filter today -- that will be my first step -- i guess i should have known to replace this -- but it hasn't been an isue until this year.

thanks for the suggestions -- i sure hope its not a dead mouse!

[Tucson T4R]

One other thing I also do when I change the cabin filter to run the AC system with the fan on high and set to recirculate. A door open below the glove box to suck in the return cabin air. I spray Fabreze in there and it gets sucked into the air ducts. Seems to keep mine smelling fresh.

Course that would just be a hobo bath for any dead mouse that might be in there. :shocked:

[CJ3Flyr]

Don't throw it in your washer and dryer!!!

my :2cents :2cents :2cents :2cents :2cents

I don't dry mine in the dryer. I wash on delicate and when it comes out seems to have all if it's structural integrity. Why are you against the washer? Just curious and I am willing to change my ways if I'm being dumb.


:wavey:

[Casual]

I wash my floor mats in the washer and dryer. Works great. I dunno about the cabin filter though. Just go buy a 3M and chop it up to size. Real inexpensive.

[Yabedude]

ok -- this is the first winter i've had this issue -- when running my heater i'm getting a foul oder coming through my vents -- its as bad as dirty sneakers!:deadhorse

any ideas on what would be causing this? is there a filter somewhere i need to change?


thanks

Mark

Hopefully it's just your cabin filter. I've had the stench (heat + upper vents only) for 2 years and can't get rid of it. I suspect there is mold in the (heating) vent somewhere. A can of lysol sprayed in the air intake (outside and bottom of windshield) helps for a day. if you still have the smell after changing the filter and eventually figure it out, let me know.

Good luck!
Chris

[PanteraLKN]

the new filter seemed to do the trick -- I guess i should have checked it a while ago -- its was FILTHY


thanks for all the advice!

[Yabedude]

I guess I'll need to check again -- this time for rodents :(

[Yabedude]

Well, I also changed the filter again. It was dirty (expected). No rodents. Soaked the internal fan with lysol hoping the fan area is where the stench originates. Should know in a day or 2 if it returns.

[bulldog]

The A/C runs when you are using the front defrost button. This is to dry out the air more. I would suspect folks living in cold climates would use it a lot.

So there is a possibility that the condenser in the A/C system never dries out in the winter, that can lead to the funky smell.

Maybe try to just run the system without the front defrost on with the heater on max blast for a couple of hours at least to try and dry out the the whole cabin air system a bit.

[TNcaveman]

My wife used to run her AC on recycle a lot. I think that's a possibility. My Celica started smelling funky this winter when I put the defrost on (automatically does the AC) It doesn't smell any other time. There is a spray that is made for the HVAC on a car - forgot the name. I saw it at a pro-parts distributor (not a chain).

I found this link - the best advice I've seen is turn the AC off a few minutes before stopping the car. It will help dry the evaporator out.

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/heatingac/a/aa071601a.htm


Steve

[Yabedude]

My wife used to run her AC on recycle a lot. I think that's a possibility. My Celica started smelling funky this winter when I put the defrost on (automatically does the AC) It doesn't smell any other time. There is a spray that is made for the HVAC on a car - forgot the name. I saw it at a pro-parts distributor (not a chain).

I found this link - the best advice I've seen is turn the AC off a few minutes before stopping the car. It will help dry the evaporator out.

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/heatingac/a/aa071601a.htm


Steve


Steve,
Awesome info! My replacement filter has done nothing to alleviate the stench -- as expected because I've been going thru this for a long time now.

Your link lead me to find another ...
http://www.airsept.com/
They have a product called Cooling Coil Coating which is intended to be sprayed directly into/onto the evaporator to kill bacteria and helps with future evaporation for up to 3 years. It's a 4 oz bottle that appears to be simply to apply.

Who has access to Toyota TSB's and is there one for applying this type of product? Airsept provides generic procedures but they also recommend their instructions be used in conjunction with a manufactures TSB.

Chris

[Yabedude]

This afternoon, I spoke with Frank at Airsept inquiring about the Cooling Coil Coating product. He explained that GM is pretty much their client and that GM offers the application service for free. I guess GM has a lot of complaints. However, the GM issue pertains to air conditioner (cooling) smells whereas my issue is with heat.

Frank put me on hold for a minute while he consulted internally. He returned to reconfirm my problems about heat and then went on to advise that the vents in some vehicles are insulated with a foam material that is susceptible to bacteria infection and degradation. He mentioned how his coworker was investigating smells from a late model Kia (I think that's what he referred to) and that's how they discovered the foam insulation which sounds like a tape of sorts. He said that heat activates the contaminated foam and it only takes seconds for it to react with the foul odour. Mfgrs use this foam insulation as a means of minimizing rattling/vibrations in the dash while also blocking foreign materials/particles from entering the ventilation shafts.

My next mod was to tap into the TRAC/ABS system under the glove box and for sure I'll now be taking the whole dash apart to see if Franks assumptions are correct because this makes a lot of sense considering it's just the 2 center vents that are stinking.

Chris

[TNcaveman]

Yabedude - Do you use the defrost a lot? It automatically turns the AC compressor on.

In my Celica, the HVAC system uses a cable type actuator to open and close the vents. I have been using the defrost with the dial set only halfway over to the defrost side - this way the AC doesn't turn on and the smell has already gone away. It's obviously linked between cold/moist air and the AC kicking on.

On our 4runners, we can't do this - can the auto AC thing be turned off by the dealer - via a computer program? This could possibly help out.

Once again, someone thought for us - I like manual control of stuff.

Steve

[Yabedude]

I do use defrost a lot (Pacific NW) but again, mine is not smelly when the AC is on, it's only when the heat is on and only in the 2 center vents so what Frank was describing would appear more sensible for my issue.