Cooling system stinks up car even in winter

[acdii]

BTW I sent a message to Fordcustomerservice over at the Flex Forum. Maybe coming from a Mod from that site and this site would entice them to show up here.

[hybridbear]

Thats what I explained to them in prior conversations. I will see what I can do. It would be very good for a rep from Ford to be a member here.

What exactly does the Ford Rep do at the Flex Forum? Even if the Ford Rep didn't say much, it would be good to know that they're at least reading and are cognizant of owner concerns. Ford has organized a few C-Max Hybrid events that some C-Max Forum members have posted about in detail where Ford was getting customer feedback. Yet, we have not heard of any such attempts by Ford to get FFH feedback from owners.

[Riggo]

UPDATE:
I just talked to the Service Manager at my dealer, they are really working hard on a solution to make sure this smell is fixed and doesn't come back.
From what I was told they pulled up the sill plates and checked under the front carpets for any sign of mositure and didn't find anything, that leads them to believe it's 100% something inside the system creating the smell.
They have talked with a Ford service engineer who apparently has knowledge of this problem (i'm not sure if he said working on this problem or has knowledge of this problem so don't quote me that Ford is working on a fix).
The Ford engineer thinks it's a problem with the accumulator in the a/c system. According to my service manager they were instructed to spray some kind of coating to coat the accumulator and this should somehow stop the build up of any water accumulation. They are leaving my car in the shop another day and want to smell it tomorrow to make sure the problem is gone. Hopefully this is the fix we've all been waiting for but we shall see.

Edited October 10, 2013 by Riggo

[SteveB_TX]

Keeping my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed! :)

Edited October 9, 2013 by SteveB_TX

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

This sounds promising! :) (Mine is back at the dealership as of this afternoon.)

[gl419]

Unfortunately this is a bogus answer to the problem. The accumulator is part of the closed system and is never exposed to the atmosphere. There has to be something in the blower system causing the moldy smell.

[Riggo]

Unfortunately this is a bogus answer to the problem. The accumulator is part of the closed system and is never exposed to the atmosphere. There has to be something in the blower system causing the moldy smell.

I hope you're wrong :-/ :-(

[keithsm2]

Unfortunately this is a bogus answer to the problem. The accumulator is part of the closed system and is never exposed to the atmosphere. There has to be something in the blower system causing the moldy smell.

I think you are correct...i doubt this is the problem....( although probably near the problem ). Not sure what you mean by never exposed to the atmosphere....do you mean its not exposed to the air blown into the car?? or the contents of the accumulator never exposed to the atmosphere?

 

I dont understand why they cant follow the water and see where its building up and sitting and molding.....( somewhere near or in the air path)

[Riggo]

The way he explained it to me was the accumulator is responsible for getting rid of excess mosmisture among other things. Is this not right?

And if there is a small opening in the accumulator that exposes it to the outside, could that be how the culprit for the smell is building up and why a coating to fill in any small openings would fix it? I'm just throwing out ideas as I have no clue what the coating is for.

Edited October 10, 2013 by Riggo

[keithsm2]

i just figured the coating was some sort of mold resistant stuff.....( not sure how effective those type of things are....) I doubt the mold is building up on the actual accumulator...( did they ever mention seeing mold anywhere? ) i think the water is dripping off and going somewhere then sitting. i think the accumulator would dry off in normal conditions after parking.

[SteveB_TX]

Unfortunately this is a bogus answer to the problem. The accumulator is part of the closed system and is never exposed to the atmosphere. There has to be something in the blower system causing the moldy smell.

 

Maybe he meant to say "evaporator" ??

[Riggo]

He specifically said accumulator so I don't know. The Ford service engineer that they are talking with from corporate gave them a bunch of tests to run on the car and this was the solution I guess? I haven't heard back from them today yet so that doesn't bode well as I guess it could mean the smell was back this morning?

Edited October 10, 2013 by Riggo

[GrySql]

Take a look at these explanations of the AC system>

 

http://www.auto-repair-help.com/automotive_maintenance/ac_orifice_receiver.php

 

http://www.ehow.com/info_12119614_air-conditioner-accumulator.html

 

http://jeepair.com/faq/what-is-the-purpose-of-an-accumulator-or-a-receiver-drier

[fusionTX]

We have had great weather in Houston this week, so I have been driving with no A/C, windows and moonroof open. I am also using the "fresh" air from the vents. The air stinks. Not sure why, but I am hoping that if I continue to run it, maybe the problem will fix itself. In any case, i am very close to taking the car in. I go on vacation in a week, so maybe I'll leave it in service or take it when i come back.

 

Am getting great mileage with no A/C this week. Just wish my air didn't stink. Of all the problems You worry about a new car having, stinky air never came to mind.

[corncobs]

...

Just wish my air didn't stink. Of all the problems You worry about a new car having, stinky air never came to mind.

If it wouldn't be such a serious issue with possible mold I could make a really nice suggestion after your post.

 

I would suggest less beans for lunch and dinner to improve air quality. ;-)

[aaronj1159]

We have had great weather in Houston this week, so I have been driving with no A/C, windows and moonroof open. I am also using the "fresh" air from the vents. The air stinks.

Yeah I've found that when I run the AC, it stinks for the first 30 seconds-a minute, then goes away. However if I just run, as you call it, "fresh air", it stinks constantly for as long as I have the air running. However if I turn on the heat it doesn't stink at all. I'm at a loss.

[keithsm2]

Yeah I've found that when I run the AC, it stinks for the first 30 seconds-a minute, then goes away. However if I just run, as you call it, "fresh air", it stinks constantly for as long as I have the air running. However if I turn on the heat it doesn't stink at all. I'm at a loss.

ive noticed the smell with the heat on....doesnt seem to go away with heat on ....like it does with the ac on...

[aaronj1159]

ive noticed the smell with the heat on....doesnt seem to go away with heat on ....like it does with the ac on...

Hmm. Well that's not what I've noticed, though admittedly I've only had the heat on a couple times since I've had the car so it hasn't been tested very thoroughly. It's starting to cool down though, I might try it again soon.

[KLH]

ive noticed the smell with the heat on....doesnt seem to go away with heat on ....like it does with the ac on...

As others have said, the usual culprit is mold forming on the vents due to the colder vent surface and moisture "clinging" to it - creating a great environment for mold to grow. The usual fix is to periodically run the heater for 5 minutes to dry out the vents which removes the moisture (killing existing mold and preventing new mold from growing). The more humid the climate, the more often the heater needs to be run.

 

Now if you already have excessive mold, running the heater once for 5 minutes may not be enough. I'm not sure what the definitive answer is to easily address excessive mold.

 

I haven't run into this issue yet on my 1.5 week old FFH-SE... yet.

[acdii]

UPDATE:

I just talked to the Service Manager at my dealer, they are really working hard on a solution to make sure this smell is fixed and doesn't come back.

From what I was told they pulled up the sill plates and checked under the front carpets for any sign of mositure and didn't find anything, that leads them to believe it's 100% something inside the system creating the smell.

They have talked with a Ford service engineer who apparently has knowledge of this problem (i'm not sure if he said working on this problem or has knowledge of this problem so don't quote me that Ford is working on a fix).

The Ford engineer thinks it's a problem with the accumulator in the a/c system. According to my service manager they were instructed to spray some kind of coating to coat the accumulator and this should somehow stop the build up of any water accumulation. They are leaving my car in the shop another day and want to smell it tomorrow to make sure the problem is gone. Hopefully this is the fix we've all been waiting for but we shall see.

 

What "might" be happening is the Accumulator is staying cold, so when you shut down, and warm moist air enters the car, it starts to sweat, causing moisture to build up inside, thereby causing the mold to form. The coating may be to act as an insulator to stop it from sweating.

 

 

What exactly does the Ford Rep do at the Flex Forum? Even if the Ford Rep didn't say much, it would be good to know that they're at least reading and are cognizant of owner concerns. Ford has organized a few C-Max Hybrid events that some C-Max Forum members have posted about in detail where Ford was getting customer feedback. Yet, we have not heard of any such attempts by Ford to get FFH feedback from owners.

What the rep does is work with Customer Service to help owners who have a problem. They act as an online go between with the owner and Ford support to help open a trouble case. They helped me out with my F150 and attempted to with my Fusion. They also act as eyes and ears between owners and Ford. For example, when we talk about the crappy marketing they are doing, they could most likely pass it on to their peers.

BTW I did get a response back from them, they are considering it, but are short staffed at the moment to commit to it.

[Riggo]

UPDATE: Finally got my car back. They sprayed some kind of epoxy on the evaporator (not the accumulator like I was told earlier). The epoxy is supposed to stop the sweating or water from building up on the evaporator. It also has an anti-microbial in it that is supposed to inhibit any mold growth. So far so good but I've only had it for half a day. Anyway, hopefully this helps out others who are having the same problem. I'll write another update in a few days, hopefully there will still be no smell by then.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Riggo

[keithsm2]

UPDATE: Finally got my car back. They sprayed some kind of epoxy on the evaporator (not the accumulator like I was told earlier). The epoxy is supposed to stop the sweating or water from building up on the evaporator. It also has an anti-microbial in it that is supposed to inhibit any mold growth. So far so good but I've only had it for half a day. Anyway, hopefully this helps out others who are having the same problem. I'll write another update in a few days, hopefully there will still be no smell by then.

getting cooler here in texas....havent noticed the smell in a while.....this may take till next summer to figure it out :(

[bhhess]

Hi - me too! I have a 2013 Fusion Hybrid, 5,000 miles and have that mold smell when the AC is on - Live in Carefree AZ. It would be really appreciated if anybody found a solution that does not entail having to take it to the dealer and is willing to share their experience.

[GrySql]

Hi - me too! I have a 2013 Fusion Hybrid, 5,000 miles and have that mold smell when the AC is on - Live in Carefree AZ. It would be really appreciated if anybody found a solution that does not entail having to take it to the dealer and is willing to share their experience.

Hi, welcome to the Forum!

This issue has been discussed for 10 months now and various solutions have been attempted, in addition, members have been to Dealers many times for this problem.

Only one Dealer has done anything substantial to try and remedy this situation and what was done has not yet been proven as a fix.

 

Your car is under warranty and if you would like to help us all find out the cure for the problem maybe your Dealer will have more luck than what has already been done by others.

Bringing this to your Dealer's attention will also make Ford Engineering aware that there are many cases of this happening and possibly induce them to spend more resources on a comprehensive cure. You might mention to your Dealer that this odor problem is widely discussed on this Forum and that you are just one of many that want Ford to fix it.

[Riggo]

UPDATE ROUND 2: Well, I have had the car since last Friday and today the smell is back. So I guess the spraying of epoxy on the evaporator didn't work.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. I don't blame the service department as they seem to be trying whatever they can and do what the FSE tells them.

At this point I'm wondering if I need to look into lemon law procedures.

Does anyone know who I should contact at Ford corporate to try to figure out this problem? I really do love this car and this smell just ruins the entire experience of it.