AC odor removal and cleaning

[Tezlah]

I ordered 2 cabin air filters from my local service center and ordered “Kilma-Cleaner AC Cleaner” from amazon. Happy to report my AC no longer smells like a dead rat wrapped in a sweaty gym sock.

Here are some more pics of the evaporator and area where the cabin air filters fit:

 

[asus389]

So it looks like the air filters are two stacked on top of each other. Does that mean that there is a gap along the middle where the two sides meet where contaminants can get past and into the evaporator? Usually cars have a single larger filter that seals around the edges.

Also, the filters look very close to the evaporator. Most cars have their filters sitting up towards the glove box or cowl, not as close to the evaporator. Maybe this could explain why the filter may receive more moisture from the AC condensation and start to smell?

 

[Dr. J]

So it looks like the air filters are two stacked on top of each other. Does that mean that there is a gap along the middle where the two sides meet where contaminants can get past and into the evaporator? Usually cars have a single larger filter that seals around the edges.

Also, the filters look very close to the evaporator. Most cars have their filters sitting up towards the glove box or cowl, not as close to the evaporator. Maybe this could explain why the filter may receive more moisture from the AC condensation and start to smell?

I presume the filters are small so they'll go in and out of the limited space available at the opening.

I agree with your second paragraph, and would add the exacerbating factors of:

• Auto A/C seems nearly always to run with Recirc ON (at least in my experience).
• Before a recent software update, the fan would quit when the car was turned off.

All of that adds up to excessive moisture retained near the filters, and so: funk.

 

[Eno Deb]

So it looks like the air filters are two stacked on top of each other. Does that mean that there is a gap along the middle where the two sides meet where contaminants can get past and into the evaporator? Usually cars have a single larger filter that seals around the edges.

They sit right on top of each other and the frame is made of a felt-like material. The seal between the filters is probably as good as that against the car's filter box on the other sides.

Also, the filters look very close to the evaporator. Most cars have their filters sitting up towards the glove box or cowl, not as close to the evaporator. Maybe this could explain why the filter may receive more moisture from the AC condensation and start to smell?

Yes, I suspect this is one factor that makes the Model 3 apparently very susceptible to mold/mildew buildup.

 

[Downcycle]

I set up an account just to say thank you for this post. I really appreciate the level of detail and specifics. Plus, you got the top Google hit for "Tesla weird smell" so nice work!

After a year of owning the Tesla Model 3, the car is starting to build the smell of mildew when the AC turns on...

 

[Wennfred]

Going to use this today, will come back with the results.

 

[mazers]

Service Center cleaned mine with Kool It today as a Limited Warranty issue. Hopefully it'll work.

 

[Sky-Pilot]

Service Center cleaned mine with Kool It today as a Limited Warranty issue. Hopefully it'll work.

And next time? They're not going to do it forever. Sounds like Elon needs to come up with a real "fix".

 

[Eno Deb]

And next time? They're not going to do it forever. Sounds like Elon needs to come up with a real "fix".

They probably consider the recently introduced software solution (where the fans come on after you park the car to dry the evaporator and filter) the fix. They may of course change the design in the future as well (e.g. by moving the filters further away from the evaporators), but I doubt they'll offer any hardware fixes to the existing cars.

 

[Sky-Pilot]

They probably consider the recently introduced software solution (where the fans come on after you park the car to dry the evaporator and filter) the fix. They may of course change the design in the future as well (e.g. by moving the filters further away from the evaporators), but I doubt they'll offer any hardware fixes to the existing cars.

Cool (no pun intended). You should see the filer in an "X", it behind the frunk liner and seems a foot by three feet. It's house hvac size

 

[laudbrian]

Service Center cleaned mine with Kool It today as a Limited Warranty issue. Hopefully it'll work.

Did they provide you new air filters as well?
I purchased a box of Kool-It that's sitting in my garage after another user said their Tesla service guy used it in their system and recommended it, waiting for some free time to attempt a DIY.

 

[5_+JqckQttqck]

Did this myself with the OP's instructions/guide on Monday, replaced both filters. So far so fresh

Total cost, ~75 CAD and a hour's work. Also have 1 can of Kilma foam left over for next year.

 

[Leloup]

Tesla me demandant de participer, allons:
Cette odeur est commune sur la climatisation des voitures.
La différence chez Tesla est que la climatisation (l’intérieur) est également chaude. Dans une voiture thermique, c’est l’eau qui refroidit le moteur qui a rempli cet endroit. Nous avons ici une pompe à chaleur réversible. C’est un petit organe qui un tiroir qui détermine le mode dans lequel nous sommes (la vanne à 4 voies).
Lorsque le froid est nécessaire, l'échangeur de chaleur intérieur est l'évaporateur.
(Dans le post, vous dites le condensateur). Le réfrigérant passe à travers un trou qui varie (expandeur électronique, étape par étape) est pulvérisé et au contact de l'air chaud, bout et s'évapore.
Par thermodynamique, l’évaporateur produit du froid. L’air chaud qui passe sur les ailettes est emprisonné dans son humidité. De l’eau se forme, et l’air contenant des bactéries et des spores se développe en libérant les odeurs.
Comme suggéré par un conducteur, si quelques kms s’arrêtent en sens inverse, inversez la pompe à chaleur du climatiseur, l’humidité disparaîtra et les bactéries et les spores ne pourront plus se reproduire.Il restera en quantité normale.Il ne sentira pas.

 

[Leloup]

Tesla asking me to participate, let's go:
This smell is common on car air conditioning.
The difference in Tesla is that the air conditioning (the interior) is also hot.In a thermal car, it is the water that cools the engine that filled this spot.We have here a reversible heat pump It is a small organ that slides like a drawer that determines what mode we are in (the 4-way valve).
When cold is required, the indoor heat exchanger is the evaporator.
(In the post you say the condenser). The refrigerant passes through a hole that varies (electronic expander, step by step) is sprayed and on contact with the hot air, boils and evaporates.
By thermodynamics, the evaporator produces cold. The hot air passing on the fins is trapped its moisture.Thus water is formed, and the air containing bacteria and spores, they develop releasing the smells.
As suggested by a driver, if a few kms before you stop you reverse the air conditioning heat pump, moisture disappears and bacteria and spores can not reproduce.Il will be a normal amount.Il will not smell.
.

 

[Fusion]

Cool (no pun intended). You should see the filer in an "X", it behind the frunk liner and seems a foot by three feet. It's house hvac size

That's actually the upgrade bio defense filter. The car inside still has the standard filters.

 

[mazers]

Did they provide you new air filters as well?
I purchased a box of Kool-It that's sitting in my garage after another user said their Tesla service guy used it in their system and recommended it, waiting for some free time to attempt a DIY.

No, they did not replace the filters.

 

[MacGreiner]

I did an ozone treatment yesterday for 10 mins. with air recirculation on. I did not replace the filters although I will soon.
Today, no more smell. Will update as to ongoing effectiveness.

 

[JayNJ]

Before taking your interior all apart, try this solution that worked for me (as suggested in another thread): Run the heater and fan on HI for 25 minutes. Let it cool and use as normal.

I did it in my garage one morning while showering via the app. I just cranked it up to HI and didn't worry about the fan speed. It has been odor free now for a few days.

 

[Dr. J]

I did it in my garage one morning while showering via the app.

If I could shower in my garage via the app, that would save me a ton of time.

 

[Need]

I turned off my cabin overheat protection and the small seems to go away.