AC odor removal and cleaning
- Thread starter Lanzer
- Start date
did everyone replace the air filters after cleaning? My SC is out of stock... anyway I can re-use the existing air filter or it defeats the purpose of cleaning to get rid of the smell?
asus389
Member
Can anyone comment if you are particularly allergic or sensitive to mold. Was the AC giving you symptoms or was it just smelling? If it was giving you symptoms, did cleaning the evaporator clear up the symptoms also? Or just the smell.
It's now been a couple of weeks since I had Tesla fog my system and replace the filters. Still smells squeaky clean here. And in the interim, we took an 1800-mile road trip that featured 100+F temps and lots of start/stop over short distances. Not ideal conditions for HVAC.
So I'm cautiously optimistic.
My AC smells like BO. I thought it was from the people that installed the front windshield tint and they just left BO. Now I’m thinking water trickled down from the install and now mold built up? I imagine it would not have happened by the following day. Anyone else get front window tint and notice a smell from hvac?
M109Rider
Active Member
I’ve had my 3 for almost a year now. I just noticed this familiar door once ever so slightly the other day.
I’m familiar with it, because my BMW has the exact same odour, that started fairly early on as well. I just lived with it in the BMW, because the dealer wouldn’t take care of it under warranty, and to be honest, it’s an initial odour that goes away after a few minutes.
In any case, I plan to clean it on my 3 sometime soon.
Thanks for the posts on this topic all.
I’m familiar with it, because my BMW has the exact same odour, that started fairly early on as well. I just lived with it in the BMW, because the dealer wouldn’t take care of it under warranty, and to be honest, it’s an initial odour that goes away after a few minutes.
In any case, I plan to clean it on my 3 sometime soon.
Thanks for the posts on this topic all.
TomServo
Active Member
On my GM vehicles with this problem GM would reprogram the HVAC system to run the fan for a few minutes after shutdown to dry out the ducts. I had it bad in my Corvette's and after the re-programing it stopped completely.
It should be an easy OTA update for Tesla.
It should be an easy OTA update for Tesla.
I’ve been lazy to post these but here’s how I did it. Notice how the phone is wedged in to be somewhat of a scope. I also attached a stick to the end of the tube it was easier to maneuver the tip otherwise the tube would just curl and not hit the spots I wanted.
the foam I used was just the one they had at the auto store.
Goosby
Member
Had mobile service replace the filters and perform the evaporator cleaning. Seemed like an easy enough process, but below is a basic outline of the steps taken after accessing the area where the filters live, a picture of the cleaner used, and service receipt.
- Spray the entire can of kool-it across the evaporator coil (it was somewhat difficult to see, but if you spray the left side of the filter compartment/side closest to the rear of the vehicle you’ll hit the coil.
- Let kool-it sit for ~15-20 mins.
- Run climate on maximum speed and low temperature without air recirculation turned on.
- Water should start pooling under your car due to the air conditioning running. Let it continue to pool for about 10 minutes longer to flush out the kool-it and you’ll be set.
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jat255
Member
Any tips on how to get mobile service to come out for this? I've had the SC try to fix this twice already in the past unsuccessfully, and I now live over an hour from the closest SC. I don't see anything in the app about mobile service, but now that they have a valid procedure, I want them to come out to fix mine, if possible.
jat255
Member
The first time back in May, they drained and refilled the AC (why, I have no idea). The second time they just changed the filter and said the firmware update would fix it. It got better for a couple weeks, but is back again. It would appear now they have a process defined for fixing this, which they didn't have both times when I went in.
Interesting. I told them about my ac issue (only smells after driving for awhile, parking, then getting back into car and lasts for a minute) and they quoted me just for the filter replacement.
I'm wondering if I should request a coil cleaner as well and am wondering why they think just replacing the filter is enough? Maybe because my issue is minor? I would hate to have to buy 2 more filters weeks later if just replacing them doesn't work.
I'm wondering if I should request a coil cleaner as well and am wondering why they think just replacing the filter is enough? Maybe because my issue is minor? I would hate to have to buy 2 more filters weeks later if just replacing them doesn't work.
Lloyd
Well-Known Member
going in to have this looked at tomorrow - can believe they expect me to pay $192 for this *sugar* on a less than 2 month old car
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Goosby
Member
Best tip would be to move somewhere far away from a service center. I am 5 hours away from the closest one, so most everything is done via mobile tech. In all seriousness though, I’m surprised they aren’t pushing mobile tech service for minor repairs like this across the country. Seems silly to have to visit a service center for such a minor cleaning/replacement.
You could also just buy the cleaning solution pictured above and do it yourself. I paid almost $100 in labor so that I could see the process and have my spoiler delivered, but after seeing how easy of a job it was I won’t be paying Tesla for the service again.
Jedi2155
Model 3 has Arrived.
In regards to the charging pins I've seen multiple Tesla chargers with broken handles due to charging pins stuck within the handle.....
This seems logical, though the last time I scheduled service, Tesla actually texted me to suggest a mobile visit at my house - and I live less than five minutes from the service center!
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