[mitmaks]

When a/c has been working and then turned off there is this stale smell in cabin. Is there a way to fix this?

[timothale]

there should be a drain hose for the condensate, If it is plugged the moisture goes sour, MY F350 doesn't completely drain, I've heard of some guys running quite abit of water down the air intake for the heater to try to flush it out, adding a bit of bleach and letting it sit then flush again to get the bleach smell out.

[jsaw]

It is caused by mold spores that get into the evaporator core as the warm moist air from the outside moves through the evaporator core. when you shut the vehicle off it is dark and moist in there, so the bacteria & mold grow. When you first start it up again get the smell. Sometimes you can turn on the a/c with the blower on and spray Lysol into the inlet duct where the outside air is drawn in. It will kill the mold. You can also buy a disinfectant specificly made to disinfect the A/C. It usually works

[mitmaks]

Thanks, I'll try that next time it smells like dirty socks

[302 Z28]

If your car has a cabin air filter change it.

BVince

[boothboy]

All of the answers above are correct although I don't think I would put a garden hose into the air intake. Make sure the drain on the bottom of the evaporator box is open. If not open take a wire with a small hook on the end and try to open it up. If you pull out a significant amount of gunk you'll probably have to pull the heater case out and clean it. Plugged heater cases usually happen when a vehicle is parked under trees regularly or dog hair or even mice! If everything is clear and open the product you want to use is called Ozium. You can get it at any parts store. In the future when using your a/c set it to outside air rather than recirculated air.That will help the box air out .

[PatM]

I once had an Astrovan with a similar issue. Lysol does help. It needs to be applied periodically, but will help to kill off the mold that has developed.
PatM