Cooling system stinks up car even in winter

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

As I wait patiently for my dealership service department to get back to me today, as promised, I will share the details of my ordeal of yesterday.

 

Dropped my car off at 0700L as suggested to have the water leak specialist take a look at it--even placed a sticky note on the dash to ensure my concerns were very well known.

Arrived at work two hours later than normal as I used their courtesy shuttle to get there. Received a voicemail around 1615L saying "we're all done with your car" you can come pick it up. I won't go into detail about my husband having to waste an hour at Bass Pro Outdoor World or the comments he made about a Chevy dropping me off to pick up a broke Ford, yeah, not nice.

 

This time the service invoice said "Customer concern verified by <name withheld> in service lane. Per Ford-No special services or technical service bulletins on this concern. Deodorized vents and rechecked-smells OJK (sic) at this time" We discussed the work and my vehicle was brought around to the service lane. I likened the deodorizing to spraying Lysol on the carpet after a dog has an accident. Covers the smell but doesn't address the source of the problem. I truly believe there is a pool of mildewed water or a part that is saturated or perhaps a drain that is blocked. This should not be happening in brand new cars. As best I can tell, my car was assembled on either the 6,

 

I jumped in and turned on the A/C and was overwhelmed by the horrible, flowery/citrus-y disinfectant smell which was quickly replaced by the all too familiar musty, mildew, funky wet dog smell. I circled around the dealership to find the service folks to *discuss* my concerns. I turned the heat up to 85 degrees, full blast and invited them in for a smell. Yep, you guessed it, there it was, and they acknowledged it. They asked that I give them time to discuss this with the Ford technical support/technicians and they would advise. So once again I leave with no resolution, a car with a HVAC system that I can not, will not use and an increasing frustration that I have a problem that will manifest into a serious health concern. Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that all my air vents now have a lovely oily residue on them likely from the deodorizer.

 

So back to the lack of a TSB. I get this. If Big Ford doesn't admit or know of a problem, the dealership performs the recommended action to try to resolve the problem. But at some point, Ford Tech Support should start to develop a case history and figure out how to get to the root cause of the reported problems. I even mentioned to the dealership that there are many Fusion owners reporting similar concerns on the online forums. Not sure what good that did, but I will try anything to ensure they hear and understand my concerns.

 

So today I gave a co-worker a ride in a hot car, with the windows down, swallowed my pride and admitted my Ford problem. How embarrassing after they had to listen to me about how great my car was.....key word....WAS!

 

So assuming noble intent and giving Ford and my local dealership the benefit of the doubt, I will continue to try to get my problem resolved in the short term. I have already contacted a mold testing specialist to discuss a course of action if the problem continues. It will not be cheap to have the car tested (~$617.50) but it may be worth it if the problem does not get resolved to my satisfaction in a timely manner. I will also be drafting my formal letter to Ford to document my concerns, attempts to resolve the matter, and put them on notice that further futile attempts to address and resolve the matter will result in my seeking remedy under Maryland's Lemon Law.

 

So for now I wait. And anxiously await Riggo's next service call outcome. This weekend I'll be dusting off the Mustang so I have something to drive that doesn't make me feel physically and mentally ill.

[fusionTX]

As I wait patiently for my dealership service department to get back to me today, as promised, I will share the details of my ordeal of yesterday.

 

Dropped my car off at 0700L as suggested to have the water leak specialist take a look at it--even placed a sticky note on the dash to ensure my concerns were very well known.

Arrived at work two hours later than normal as I used their courtesy shuttle to get there. Received a voicemail around 1615L saying "we're all done with your car" you can come pick it up. I won't go into detail about my husband having to waste an hour at Bass Pro Outdoor World or the comments he made about a Chevy dropping me off to pick up a broke Ford, yeah, not nice.

 

This time the service invoice said "Customer concern verified by <name withheld> in service lane. Per Ford-No special services or technical service bulletins on this concern. Deodorized vents and rechecked-smells OJK (sic) at this time" We discussed the work and my vehicle was brought around to the service lane. I likened the deodorizing to spraying Lysol on the carpet after a dog has an accident. Covers the smell but doesn't address the source of the problem. I truly believe there is a pool of mildewed water or a part that is saturated or perhaps a drain that is blocked. This should not be happening in brand new cars. As best I can tell, my car was assembled on either the 6,

 

I jumped in and turned on the A/C and was overwhelmed by the horrible, flowery/citrus-y disinfectant smell which was quickly replaced by the all too familiar musty, mildew, funky wet dog smell. I circled around the dealership to find the service folks to *discuss* my concerns. I turned the heat up to 85 degrees, full blast and invited them in for a smell. Yep, you guessed it, there it was, and they acknowledged it. They asked that I give them time to discuss this with the Ford technical support/technicians and they would advise. So once again I leave with no resolution, a car with a HVAC system that I can not, will not use and an increasing frustration that I have a problem that will manifest into a serious health concern. Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that all my air vents now have a lovely oily residue on them likely from the deodorizer.

 

So back to the lack of a TSB. I get this. If Big Ford doesn't admit or know of a problem, the dealership performs the recommended action to try to resolve the problem. But at some point, Ford Tech Support should start to develop a case history and figure out how to get to the root cause of the reported problems. I even mentioned to the dealership that there are many Fusion owners reporting similar concerns on the online forums. Not sure what good that did, but I will try anything to ensure they hear and understand my concerns.

 

So today I gave a co-worker a ride in a hot car, with the windows down, swallowed my pride and admitted my Ford problem. How embarrassing after they had to listen to me about how great my car was.....key word....WAS!

 

So assuming noble intent and giving Ford and my local dealership the benefit of the doubt, I will continue to try to get my problem resolved in the short term. I have already contacted a mold testing specialist to discuss a course of action if the problem continues. It will not be cheap to have the car tested (~$617.50) but it may be worth it if the problem does not get resolved to my satisfaction in a timely manner. I will also be drafting my formal letter to Ford to document my concerns, attempts to resolve the matter, and put them on notice that further futile attempts to address and resolve the matter will result in my seeking remedy under Maryland's Lemon Law.

 

So for now I wait. And anxiously await Riggo's next service call outcome. This weekend I'll be dusting off the Mustang so I have something to drive that doesn't make me feel physically and mentally ill.

 

Thanks so much for detailed report. Worrisome that no resolution was found.

We all have to band together to find a resolution.

I emailed my service tech a few days ago and pointed him to this thread and the one on Blue Oval forums.

I never received a response.

It is paramount that we get Ford to ackowledge the problem.

[Quickdraw95]

Add me to the list of folks with this issue. It is by far the most disappointing thing about the car (2013 FFH SE). Mine seemed to have started after I had the a/c on recirc for several weeks when it was super hot and humid here in northern Virginia this summer. Since then I never use the recirc setting, and while it has not gone away completely, it's much less noxious than before. Now that I found this post and realize it's not just my car, I think all of us with this issue should report it to our dealers to start loading up their database with complaints. It is the only way to get their attention. I will report mine next time I go in for service. I'm so glad everyone posted their stories! Please let us know if anyone finds a solution

[Riggo]

UPDATE:

 

Well, Murphy's Law has struck. I took the car back for the 3rd time and when I turned on the a/c there was no smell at all, it's smelled like fresh air. I turned the fan only on, fresh air. Unbelieveable.

The Service Director was very nice and even noted that there had been 3 others that had come in for the same problem. She said they were not able to find the problem with any of the other cars either and that she has researched online and talked to other service departments who can't find any known cure. The good news is all of this info has been sent to Ford for a hopeful fix.

The one thing that was different today was it was very cool, it was 52F when I fired up the ac for them to smell. It's also 66F now and there is no smell. The humidity is very low though so maybe higher humidity has something to do with activating the mold or whatever it is to start stinking.

 

I noticed others with the problem in my area, northern Virginia. I am thinking we should get a list of the areas this is happening to people to try to figure out if it's a humidity problem.

 

It's great now that the smell seems to be gone but it leaves me anxious that it will return at any time.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Riggo

[aaronj1159]

It does seem, based on this thread alone, to be a bigger issue in the VA, MD, TN area. And acdii says it was humid when he noticed it as well. I'm starting to believe the humidity is the issue but I don't know where.

[murphy]

Mold needs moisture to grow.

 

http://www.epa.gov/mold/

[keithsm2]

my car has the smell in texas...

[Riggo]

Has anyone had the smell in non-humid areas, like the desert or southern california?

[fusionTX]

I'm pretty sure the problem has to do with humidity and using A/C on recirculate only.

My old Camry would reset to fresh air quite often, which was annoying, but maybe designed that way on purpose.

 

Back to my car, we had some cooler weather this past weekend where I ran with the windows down for a few days.

Not sure I understand why, but yesterday I went back to using A/C and the bad smell may be gone. i have to reverify that, but it seemed either gone or better.

 

Today is back to humid again, so we will see if the smell returns when Imleave work. That is when it's most notable for me, after sitting all day in the garage.

[Riggo]

Even if it is the humidity, it seems like the mold has to be growing somewhere other than the areas they can spray with mold killing solutions like BG Frigi-Fresh. I've had my system sprayed twice and have smelled it a day after the spraying both times.

 

This one is a doozy to figure out isn't it. :runaway: :banghead:

 

I really hope Ford is taking this one seriously and working on a solution.

[GrySql]

Has anyone had the smell in non-humid areas, like the desert or southern california?

My HVAC is on most of the time, in many configurations. We haven't had any unpleasant smells from the vents, thank goodness.

Did I miss something, has anyone changed the Cabin Air Filter yet? Dealer look at that area around the filter?

[aaronj1159]

It's definitely not a result of having recirculate on in my case. I don't think I've ever turned that function on in this car.

[acdii]

Its a humidity issue for certain. I only had the wet dog that one day when it was above 80% humidity, I also rarely use AC, and the day I smelled it the AC was not on, nor on recirc. I still feel it is the filter doing it. When it get damp from humidity, it gives off a stink. Every so often, some laundry detergents react with my sweat, and my shirt will give off a strange odor, so wondering if its similar with the filter, when it gets damp it has a reaction.

[keithsm2]

was just thinking today.....I dont know if i have ever seen this car drip water while running the AC..... My other vehicles here in texas leave quite a puddle after shutting down the motor...( from the AC system) so.....where is this water going with the fusion? anyone else seen it drip??

[GrySql]

was just thinking today.....I dont know if i have ever seen this car drip water while running the AC..... My other vehicles here in texas leave quite a puddle after shutting down the motor...( from the AC system) so.....where is this water going with the fusion? anyone else seen it drip??

Yep, mine drips just like my other cars have.

[keithsm2]

Yep, mine drips just like my other cars have.

but you dont have the smell .....correct??

[fusionTX]

My air is still stinky. It was wishful thinking that it had gone away. We are back to hot humid weather in Houston.

 

About the car dripping water, that is a good point. My old car, I always saw a puddle of water in garage.

Can't say I've noticed the the same for the Fusion. Will have to pay closer attention.

[Riggo]

My air is still stinky. It was wishful thinking that it had gone away. We are back to hot humid weather in Houston.

 

About the car dripping water, that is a good point. My old car, I always saw a puddle of water in garage.

Can't say I've noticed the the same for the Fusion. Will have to pay closer attention.

 

Well the humidity factor seems to be the key. Now, if Ford can just find out where this mold is growing from the humid conditions.

[GrySql]

but you dont have the smell .....correct??

correct...

[keithsm2]

93 in texas today...about 25% humidity.....no water dripping.... seen one other car dripping....

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

Sitting in the service lane waiting to turn my car in for the third time.

 

Purposely ran the a/c for the last two days and the smell is still very strong and very noticeable as I sit with the car off. Agree that this problem is definitely humidity related.

 

As always, will share the outcome of my appointment today.

[keithsm2]

im in service for same. afraid frigi fresh will be first option

[acdii]

Still leaning towards the filter being the culprit. Had MAX defrost on this morning and when the temp got high and hot air was blowing, I could smell it cooking off something. It eventually faded after a few minutes, but there was something cooking for sure. Since I dont know the airways, cant say if the filter has the hot air going through it, or not.

[keithsm2]

is the condenser enclosed inside of a compartment with a drain hose attached? I cant see anything under the hood with moisture on it

[keithsm2]

service is running an ionizer on system. got the drain to drip. advise to take off recirc before getting home every trip and spray lysol in the intake once in a while. never had to do this before with a vehicle