Cooling system stinks up car even in winter

[shaggy314]

So far, after using my a/c 90% on recirc, not had any smells. I'm in Austin, which you would NEVER confuse with low humidity, maybe Houston is worse... I've just started running w/o A/c crack the sunroof and the right rear window.

 

There is no was to just get airflow without a fan on via the vents correct?

[keithsm2]

Where could we find a diagram of this system. If mine was dripping. Where was water going? Collecting somewhere and getting moldy!

[Riggo]

My smell is back. Ran the ac a few days ago and the smell was back the day after.

It makes driving the car so awful.

I'll be calling the service dept again, ugh.

[keithsm2]

mine has done good so far. make sure the drain is working on ac unit. then they ran a " ionizer" on the system

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

Service appointment results from Friday: The mildew smell is gone! It has been replaced with an OVERWHELMING deodorizer smell that reminds me of industrial liquid floor wax, but do not even have a hint of mustiness at start-up. Better, I think?! Will try to condense the days events to avoid the TL;DR post....

 

My service advisor called to let me know they were done. He advised that they dropped everything down that Ford wanted inspected. He didn't smell anything while they were doing this. They checked the cabin air filter. It was clean, with no moisture found. He noted that they only sprayed into the vents previously, but this time they wiped them out and sprayed deodorizer in all areas. He advised it had a heavy smell of the deodorizer and would let it run for a while before I pick it up. They checked any place that water could be trapped, but found no sign. Not happy that the mold/mildew source was still a mystery I picked it up with the same apprehension as the last two times. I rode with the widows down and the A/C on full blast to try to get rid of the deodorizer smell. It is still very strong two days later.

 

So, I will now use the system regularly to see how it goes. I notice that I am no longer getting a stuffy head/nose in the car-----progress?!? But one thing about this recent service appointment bugs me. This time I signed two N/C invoices. One for the dealership and one for Ford. When I got home I noticed something different on this one with regard to a part number and an authorization code. As soon as I can figure out how to upload the invoice I will share. I googled the part number thinking it was for the deodorizer (to find out what the heck it was and how to possibly neutralize it) and was very perplexed. I'll save you all from my conspiracy theory, but just want to share information if it helps others resolve their problem.

 

So for now, I still get that uneasy feeling when turning on the A/C, but am hoping for the best. My dealership and the service folks were really wonderful to deal with and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there for any reason. I highly recommend them and will share the name via PM. I truly hope I don't have to see them again until my next oil change. Will check back in if anything changes.

[keithsm2]

can anyone else with the smell verify if their car is draining water while running ac?

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

Hopefully this works:

 

[SteveB_TX]

Hopefully this works:

 

 

Says I don't have permission to view it. What? :cry:

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

Can you see it now? My apologies, had issues uploading.

[Riggo]

Service appointment results from Friday: The mildew smell is gone! It has been replaced with an OVERWHELMING deodorizer smell that reminds me of industrial liquid floor wax, but do not even have a hint of mustiness at start-up. Better, I think?! Will try to condense the days events to avoid the TL;DR post....

 

My service advisor called to let me know they were done. He advised that they dropped everything down that Ford wanted inspected. He didn't smell anything while they were doing this. They checked the cabin air filter. It was clean, with no moisture found. He noted that they only sprayed into the vents previously, but this time they wiped them out and sprayed deodorizer in all areas. He advised it had a heavy smell of the deodorizer and would let it run for a while before I pick it up. They checked any place that water could be trapped, but found no sign. Not happy that the mold/mildew source was still a mystery I picked it up with the same apprehension as the last two times. I rode with the widows down and the A/C on full blast to try to get rid of the deodorizer smell. It is still very strong two days later.

 

So, I will now use the system regularly to see how it goes. I notice that I am no longer getting a stuffy head/nose in the car-----progress?!? But one thing about this recent service appointment bugs me. This time I signed two N/C invoices. One for the dealership and one for Ford. When I got home I noticed something different on this one with regard to a part number and an authorization code. As soon as I can figure out how to upload the invoice I will share. I googled the part number thinking it was for the deodorizer (to find out what the heck it was and how to possibly neutralize it) and was very perplexed. I'll save you all from my conspiracy theory, but just want to share information if it helps others resolve their problem.

 

So for now, I still get that uneasy feeling when turning on the A/C, but am hoping for the best. My dealership and the service folks were really wonderful to deal with and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there for any reason. I highly recommend them and will share the name via PM. I truly hope I don't have to see them again until my next oil change. Will check back in if anything changes.

 

 

So it looks like the part # (19B555) was for an A/C evaporator. Did they put in a completely new one?

Edited September 30, 2013 by Riggo

[GrySql]

I'm just a novice service receipt reader but that service order showed the A/C Evap system was 'looked at', the blower chamber was opened and deodorizer sprayed directly into the unit.
Was the deodorizer a mold killer or just a 'scent'?

There was no 'count' number put in that purchase column so a replacement was not run through the parts department.

It also says that 'Musk spores are in the ventilation system' but does not provide a reason or solution as to why that occurred.
If they didn't fix what was wrong, that means that it can happen again. No 'why it happened' was listed on the service receipt.

Getting a Ford CS Rep involved might be the next place to go with this.

[SteveB_TX]

What the heck is a "musk spore" ?? Even Google doesn't know! :headscratch:

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

GrySql -- I appreciate your taking the time to look over the invoice.

I too came up with the evaporator in my search and maybe wrongly *assumed* they replaced it. I just thought it was an odd sequence of events. Musk spores? I couldn't even begin to guess what they were either but hope they don't start to germinate or reproduce further in the cooling system!!!

No clue on what the smell coming out of the vents is but I hope it goes away soon. Today (since it was warmer) it seemed to have a hint of mustiness to it at start-up that went away within 10 seconds. Will keep the max a/c with recirc running to see if the moisture somehow returns.

Seeing that there are still others battling this problem, I hope one of us is successful in identifying the true cause. For other posters that have asked, my car has a noticeable amount of water draining below the passenger front side. Believe it was doing this before the latest service call but not 100% certain. Also, it appears that my car was built on 8 or 9 May 13.

Still hopeful that the problem is gone, but the warmer weather and humidity returns this week and only time will tell...

[GrySql]

What the heck is a "musk spore" ?? Even Google doesn't know! :headscratch:

A baby one of these??

 

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

OMG! The babies are so cute....gimme my musk spores back Ford! :hysterical:

[murphy]

What the heck is a "musk spore" ?? Even Google doesn't know! :headscratch:

He probably meant mold spores.

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

The smell has returned....

[Riggo]

The smell has returned....

 

Ugh. This is ridiculous. We need some engineers from Ford to get on the case.

[keithsm2]

Mine may be on the way back also....thought i noticed something at noon......when i got home....also noticed that the drain is not working again......verified when i got back to work...NO DRIPS

[hybridbear]

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.

acdii - have you tried asking one of the Ford reps on the Flex Forum why they aren't on here?

 

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??

We have no smell and have water dripping after using AC. My hypothesis is that the smelly cars are not properly draining. The moisture from the condenser is then stagnating and causing the smell.

 

I hope this gets solved soon. That would be awful. I'm used to a slight musty smell the first time you use the heater in the fall and the first time using AC in the spring, but not all the time.

[keithsm2]

acdii - have you tried asking one of the Ford reps on the Flex Forum why they aren't on here?

 

We have no smell and have water dripping after using AC. My hypothesis is that the smelly cars are not properly draining. The moisture from the condenser is then stagnating and causing the smell.

 

I hope this gets solved soon. That would be awful. I'm used to a slight musty smell the first time you use the heater in the fall and the first time using AC in the spring, but not all the time.

The lack of proper drainage is my hypothesis also... when did they move these inside of a compartment? why couldnt they stay in the engine bay?

[Riggo]

I ran my ac for about 20 minutes on my way home from work. I stopped at the grocery store before I got home. Before I went in to the store I checked for drip, no drip. When I came back out of the store I check for water under the car. No water. No drip.

[keithsm2]

I ran my ac for about 20 minutes on my way home from work. I stopped at the grocery store before I got home. Before I went in to the store I checked for drip, no drip. When I came back out of the store I check for water under the car. No water. No drip.

So im wondering if the hose is getting disconnected or just stopped up?? maybe its too small of a diameter........No one has or can find a diagram of this system?

[hybridbear]

So im wondering if the hose is getting disconnected or just stopped up?? maybe its too small of a diameter........No one has or can find a diagram of this system?

The best shot for getting a diagram is alpha since he works for Ford. Has anyone PM'ed him to ask?

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

Different day, same smell.

 

I opened a case with Ford yesterday and was contacted by the Regional Customer Service Rep this morning. I made it clear that I am not dissatisified with my dealership and that I believe there is a larger problem, possibly a defect given the number of us reporting this issue. I expressed concern that the source of the water/mildew was not found and she is going back over my records to work with Ford Technical to see what can be done next.

 

As far as the next service call, they WILL NOT get my car until they provide me with an advance written troubleshooting plan and provide proof thereafter that they found the source, and repaired the problem. I'm one step away from starting down the lemon law path at this point and will reluctantly part with the ~$600 bucks for the air quality test.

 

With 86 degrees for a high temp today, that A/C ought to put out a significant amount of condensation. I will leave it running to confirm that it is in fact still draining and report my findings.