Cooling system stinks up car even in winter

[Riggo]

But if it is the air filter then why is it getting so smelly so quickly on some cars and others are not? I keep the inside of my car spotless and stink free so it's weird if that would be the cause ha.

[corncobs]

Have you guys checked built date vs. delivery date?

Maybe the cars that produce this smell were sitting in the Mexican sun or somewhere else for a while?

 

We have seen some really bad looking engine compartments after delivery in the past.

 

Just my thoughts...

[Riggo]

As far as I could tell my car was put immediatley on the train after it was built. But here are my stats in case it correlates with others who are having the same problem.

 

Build Date: April 3, 2013

 

Delivery Date: April 18, 2013

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

As I wait for my appointment tomorrow, I continue to try to figure out where the stench is coming from.

 

It seems that if I use the A/C with the windshield/upper & floor vents the smell is almost (totally?) unnoticeable. I left this combination

on when I ran in the store and when I restarted the car, the smell was still not there. Switched to the Max A/C w/ the center vents going and

there it was. So I'm thinking that the source of the musty smell has to be coming from the center dash vents as if there is a pool of mildewed

water or some component that is blocked.

 

Riggo above mentioned the wet dog smell and it is spot on! Kind of like a wet dog who rolled on a pool cover covered with green slime, wet leaves,

and other horrible smelling decaying matter.

[SteveB_TX]

Whew! Glad my Z still smells like cow skin, and only cow skin!

[Riggo]

I wish the internet had smell-o-vision so those of you without the problem could smell it. It's really awful. If I have anyone else ride in the car I'm completely embarrassed.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Riggo

[corncobs]

I agree that is a really awful smell I had the same issue with my previous car (HHR) and I always apologized when someone was getting into my car.

 

It went to the dealer at least 3x but it was never fixed they just sprayed something into the vents and the smell was back within a month.

[acdii]

You need to locate the intake and spray a heavy dose of lysol in it while the system is running in the position is smells in. I dont know where the intake is located though, but chances are, thats where the smell is coming from. When set to Max AC it closes the recirculation door and pulls air from inside only, so my guess is the stink is in that area.

 

Does it stink if only heat is on, AC off and recirculation engaged?

[Riggo]

Mine actually stunk tonight when there was no air at all on! I could smell it in the actual vents if I put my nose right up to them but I didn't have to do that to smell it, it permiated the entire vehcile. I had just had a car wash earlier in the day (just water no brushes, I can't bring myself to ever take my car to a car wash with any type of brushes, shamies, etc.).

 

I need to figure out what to do about this because it's to the point where I don't even want to be in the car. I am afraid to try to spray lysol in it because I want the root of the problem fixed, if I spray the lysol it may mask the problem for a while. A car that's a little over 4 months old shouldn't have this problem.

 

Arghhh... I need to find out how to contact Ford directly and have a Ford corporate master tech come check out my car personally ha. That will never happen though.

 

I feel like the annoying guy on here that complains about stupid things, but if you guys could smell what I smell you'd be livid as well :rant:

[Riggo]

Mine stinks with the AC on or the fan only on with no ac (ac/max ac/ac move). If I have the AC on it will usually go away within 30 seconds or so, but sometimes it lasts longer. It's been far worse in the last few days for some reason though.

 

You need to locate the intake and spray a heavy dose of lysol in it while the system is running in the position is smells in. I dont know where the intake is located though, but chances are, thats where the smell is coming from. When set to Max AC it closes the recirculation door and pulls air from inside only, so my guess is the stink is in that area.

 

Does it stink if only heat is on, AC off and recirculation engaged?

[murphy]

I need to figure out what to do about this because it's to the point where I don't even want to be in the car. I am afraid to try to spray lysol in it because I want the root of the problem fixed, if I spray the lysol it may mask the problem for a while. A car that's a little over 4 months old shouldn't have this problem.

The root of the problem is mold growing in the system. Lysol will kill mold so it's not just masking the smell. So how did the mold spores get into the system? The filter should have stopped them. Is moisture getting to the filter to allow mold growth on the filter? Is the filter missing or damaged allowing mold spores free access to enter the system?

[Riggo]

Yeah but the dealer service dept said they sprayed the mold killing solution throughout the entire system yet the smell was back the day after I took it there. I don't know if Lysol would really do the job and if it did, like you said, why is this happening in the first place.

[fusionTX]

Yesterday, it cooled off in Houston after some afternoon rains, so I decided to drive home with windows open, no A/C.

After a while I decided to put the climate control on "fresh" air only.

it was, as described by others, very moldy nasty smelling air that was blowing through. And unlike when running the A/C, the smell persists.

This is the most disappointing thing about my car. If this is not fixed, I will not last long with this car.

 

I will be calling my dealer soon, but want to do a little more research first.

Some of you in the humid areas should try using your fresh air-only.

[aaronj1159]

 

I will be calling my dealer soon, but want to do a little more research first.

Some of you in the humid areas should try using your fresh air-only.

 

Yes if I don't turn on the AC and just run air through the car the smell seems to persist. I'm hoping someone finds a solution to this soon. I will note that it was 45 this morning so I had to turn the heat on for a bit and I didn't smell anything.

[Riggo]

Could there be a crack, leak, etc in the cowl vent causing water to get into the system? I didn't even know what a cowl vent was but I've been trying to research a solution. Like fusion_tx said, I don't know how much longer I can last with this car with the smell. I love everything else about the car must this smell is driving me insane.

[Riggo]

Fusion_tx. I live in a very humid area in the summer, currently it's cool though. I also get the smell with just the fresh air on. It is actually to the point of smelling moldy without any air on!

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

So after my service appointment this past Saturday, the resolution is.....no resolution.

 

The comments on my invoice are " Could not duplicate customers concern" "Could not find any problems although smell is present, sugest (sic) water

leak pro look at concern"

 

The Service Advisor indicated the same when he turned back the car to me and advised to drop off my car for the day during this week when the

"water leak specialist" is on duty.

 

So the smell remains. I refuse to run my A/C, defroster, or vents for concern that the smell is a toxic mold or other allergy causing spore. I plan to drop

the car off on Thursday to see what they can find.

 

I hope to be able to share positive news later this week, or perhaps we can start a campaign in this forum to get Ford to investigate all of these smells!! :)

 

On a happier note, even though the car still has the FUNK, I'm balancing that horror with the fun that comes with the 13B07 upgrade. Off to investigate which

one of the two recent software upgrades caused my speech to text to stop working.....

[murphy]

I do not have the problem but if I did I would pull the cabin air filter to see if it stinks. If any moisture gets to the filter it would be a good place for mold to grow.

[aaronj1159]

MD I await your next report. I knew that's the response I would get from my dealer if I asked them to look into it.

[acdii]

If you still get no resolution, there are actual FORD reps on the Flex site(why there and not here dont know) that if those who have this issue can get in touch with, they may be able to help get something done. Mold growth can be a huge health issue, and I seriously doubt Ford would ignore an issue like this if there are enough complaints. It isn't like, hey I cant get 47 MPG, mold is a real health hazard, and one that cant be ignored.

[Riggo]

I'll also be anxiously awaiting your next report MD_Fusion_Lover. I have another appointment with the Sales Manager of the service dept on tuesday to look into it. This will be the third time I've taken it in. I'll be giving him your info on the possible water leak.

I agree acdii, it is a pretty big concern that I'm most likely breathing in some kind of mold/mildew. I've been running the car without the a/c or fan just for that reason.

Edited September 21, 2013 by Riggo

[acdii]

well guess what......noticed today with the vent just going, smells like wet dog. I very seldom use the AC, and today used it for a short period while i was on the expressway, then shut it off when I got where I was going, and didnt turn on the vents until later in the day on my way home when it started to rain. I have a feeling it is the air filter.

[keithsm2]

could we be getting some water in somewhere when we wash it??

[acdii]

I think its caused by humidity. It was fairly humid yesterday when I noticed it. I still feel its the filter causing it.

[Riggo]

In acdii we trust, to figure out this horrible problem.

I have an appointment with my service dept on tuesday (third time for this problem), they supposedly have a plan of attack. I'll let you guys know what they find (if anything) next week.