AC odor removal and cleaning

[RandomJohnny]

i know, right? the logic was just ridiculous nevermind the fact that we keep the car in the garage about 22 hours per day....full story here:

Bubble like issue on dashboard

 

[robd]

Exactly!

Another thing is to make sure recirculate is off, otherwise it just traps moisture in the car when you turn it off.

Have you ever noticed how much hotter and humid the car is if you leave recirc on?

If you leave the setting on auto does it default back to recirc? Mine never seems to come out of recirc? Seems like in “auto” mode it would go to fresh air at some point? Anyone else see different than recirc all the time?

 

[evannole]

Exactly!

Another thing is to make sure recirculate is off, otherwise it just traps moisture in the car when you turn it off.

Have you ever noticed how much hotter and humid the car is if you leave recirc on?

Depends on where you are and what the weather is like. In Atlanta, in the summer, constantly bringing in 95 degree, humid air from outside is going to increase heat and humidity in the cabin, not decrease it. Sure, it makes sense to run the system with outside air when you get in the car, as that air is likely cooler than what's in the car after it's been sitting in the sun. But here at least, it makes sense to run recirculate once you're underway, as once that air has been cooled and dehumidified, it will be much easier to keep it cool and dehumidified if you're not bringing in outside air that is neither. On the other hand, in places like Santa Monica, with mild temperatures and low humidity, it might make sense to bring in outside air all the time.

I leave my system set to auto and let the car decide when it wants fresh air. It does seem to go back and forth and I haven't yet been able to determine what conditions make it switch.

 

[Dr. J]

If you leave the setting on auto does it default back to recirc? Mine never seems to come out of recirc? Seems like in “auto” mode it would go to fresh air at some point? Anyone else see different than recirc all the time?

Only rarely have I seen Auto go to Recirc Off, and that on a very long trip.

 

[BioSehnsucht]

Only rarely have I seen Auto go to Recirc Off, and that on a very long trip.

I think this mostly depends on the temperature differences between outside and desired inside - if they are large, it may be on recirculation to better cool. If they are closer, then it may switch to outside air to mix in warmer outside air so that the temperature drop through the condenser results in a more consistent desired temp (vs cycling the AC on and off faster and getting spikey temperature output to arrive at the desired average)

 

[ayrich]

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.

1. 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.
2. Let kool-it sit for ~15-20 mins.
3. Run climate on maximum speed and low temperature without air recirculation turned on.
4. 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.

Fingers crossed this is the first and only time I’ll have to have this service performed. On the plus side, apparently service is mandated to swap out charging pins and check/correct warped latches for the front trunk; my front trunk latch has been fine, but the service tech said some people/certain vins have been having issues getting the trunk to open, so it’s now a mandatory check when any service is performed. The tech couldn’t say why the charging pins where updated (looked a little fatter), but assumed it might be for new super chargers.

View attachment 433473 View attachment 433474

Took ours into Buena Park SC on 8/2/19 and had the same service performed:
VIN 38,xxx

1. Evaporator cleaning (goodwill)
2. Cabin filter replacement (goodwill)
3. Charging pins replacement (recall)
4. Front trunk latch adjustment (recall)

Tech mentioned that the AC cleaning and cabin filter would be covered under goodwill as a first time fix per management direction. And apparently there is a service bulletin going around so this is a known/common issue. I was informed about the software fix coming later in a future release...

 

[Az_Rael]

My ozone generator arrived today and I was able to drive down the the SC and pick up the 2 sets of cabin air filters I had ordered.

Here is what I have done previously to remediate this issue:
1. Had Tesla service run a AC cleaning service without changing my filters. Lasted a couple weeks
2. Had Tesla service run AC cleaning with changing my cabin filters. Lasted 1 week
3. Used 1 can of Klima without changing cabin filters. Lasted a couple of days
4. Used 2 cans of Klima without changing cabin filters. Lasted a couple of days.

If filters had been easier to obtain, I would have changed filters each step, but alas.


Here is what I did tonight:
- Moved car into driveway
- Removed my existing filters and replaced the cover with the screw finger tight
- Removed all my stuff from the car including frunk and trunk.
- Set climate to manual, fan max, and recirc. on. with no filters in the system.
- Placed 7000 mg/hr ozone generator unit on passenger seat on top of a towel. Ran cord out passenger door.
- Set timer for 30 minutes and taped window portion of door, which was left cracked.
- returned to vehicle after 45 minutes and opened all 4 doors. At some point the AC had turned off, not sure how to keep it running on high the whole time (“leave climate on” reset back to auto)
- Let car air out for 30 minutes
- installed new filters
- pulled car back into garage, lowered all 4 windows, set “keep climate on” and plugged into shore power. Leaving like that overnight.

The ozone odor seemed to dissipate fairly quickly with a good breeze to air out the car. The vents will take a bit more, which is why I am leaving it running on shore power overnight (or as long as it will run)


Crossing my fingers this works longer than previous attempts. I will report back. My goal would be to get to a point where I only have to change the filters and run this cleaning process every 6 months if possible.

 

[Atari2600]

I have this annoying issue as well now but I don’t understand it. Is the filter touching the evaporator or getting wet at the base or is it getting damp just from being close to a wet evaporator with no air flow? I follow the evaporator stinking but not understanding why the filter is doing so. I’m going to try Vital-Oxide.

 

[plasmo]

My ozone generator arrived today and I was able to drive down the the SC and pick up the 2 sets of cabin air filters I had ordered.

Here is what I have done previously to remediate this issue:
1. Had Tesla service run a AC cleaning service without changing my filters. Lasted a couple weeks
2. Had Tesla service run AC cleaning with changing my cabin filters. Lasted 1 week
3. Used 1 can of Klima without changing cabin filters. Lasted a couple of days
4. Used 2 cans of Klima without changing cabin filters. Lasted a couple of days.

If filters had been easier to obtain, I would have changed filters each step, but alas.


Here is what I did tonight:
- Moved car into driveway
- Removed my existing filters and replaced the cover with the screw finger tight
- Removed all my stuff from the car including frunk and trunk.
- Set climate to manual, fan max, and recirc. on. with no filters in the system.
- Placed 7000 mg/hr ozone generator unit on passenger seat on top of a towel. Ran cord out passenger door.
- Set timer for 30 minutes and taped window portion of door, which was left cracked.
- returned to vehicle after 45 minutes and opened all 4 doors. At some point the AC had turned off, not sure how to keep it running on high the whole time (“leave climate on” reset back to auto)
- Let car air out for 30 minutes
- installed new filters
- pulled car back into garage, lowered all 4 windows, set “keep climate on” and plugged into shore power. Leaving like that overnight.

The ozone odor seemed to dissipate fairly quickly with a good breeze to air out the car. The vents will take a bit more, which is why I am leaving it running on shore power overnight (or as long as it will run)


Crossing my fingers this works longer than previous attempts. I will report back. My goal would be to get to a point where I only have to change the filters and run this cleaning process every 6 months if possible.

Appreciate your updates. Let us know.
This odor issue really is a nuisance.

 

[clmason]

I had a cheesy smell in my 3 AC for about 4 months, progressively getting worse. I’m at 25,000 miles and 18 months of ownership. Brought the car in to get checked out and Tesla replaced 2 filters and used some kind of cleaning foam to flush the lines. No charge and done in 45 minutes.

 

[RandomJohnny]

To all the posters on this thread that have tried various remedies and had initial success please report back to let us know if your method actually killed the bacteria (and thus the odor) permanently. Thanks.

 

[Eno Deb]

To all the posters on this thread that have tried various remedies and had initial success please report back to let us know if your method actually killed the bacteria (and thus the odor) permanently. Thanks.

A bit early to call it "permanent", but I have replaced my filters and foamed the evaporator about 7 weeks ago and the smell hasn't returned so far. But as we see in this thread YMMV. I suspect in some cases the mold has spread to other parts of the ventilation system.

 

[0mpg]

My smell keeps coming back. I have had the SC replace the filters on the last visit. I need to make another appointment. I’ve had them clean it and I cleaned it yet it still returns.

 

[XLR82XS]

If I ever get the smell I'll try the Lysol trick done by another member.

 

[Aellinsar]

If I ever get the smell I'll try the Lysol trick done by another member.

I've tried the Lysol trick, cleaning the evaporator with commercial cleaner, and running the heater on HI for an hour none of them worked for me for more than a few days.

I need to replace the filters and combine with the evaporator treatment, but my service center was out (and isn't terribly close to my house anyway). Why on earth can't we order a consumable part like a filter from the Tesla store (or Napa/Autozone/Amazon/etc.) and have it shipped?

 

[XLR82XS]

I need to replace the filters and combine with the evaporator treatment, but my service center was out (and isn't terribly close to my house anyway). Why on earth can't we order a consumable part like a filter from the Tesla store (or Napa/Autozone/Amazon/etc.) and have it shipped?

Found cabin filter set on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/WJM-Filter-R...-6-23597--1-1-4683--&vehicleName=2019+Tesla+3

 

[zosoisnotaword]

I've tried the Lysol trick, cleaning the evaporator with commercial cleaner, and running the heater on HI for an hour none of them worked for me for more than a few days.

I need to replace the filters and combine with the evaporator treatment, but my service center was out (and isn't terribly close to my house anyway). Why on earth can't we order a consumable part like a filter from the Tesla store (or Napa/Autozone/Amazon/etc.) and have it shipped?

Schedule a service appointment through the app, select HVAC, and in the details box tell them you want to purchase filters to be shipped. Three days after I set the appointment they called, I paid over the phone, and they shipped the filters the next day. I cancelled the appointment after the filters arrived.

 

[plasmo]

Schedule a service appointment through the app, select HVAC, and in the details box tell them you want to purchase filters to be shipped. Three days after I set the appointment they called, I paid over the phone, and they shipped the filters the next day. I cancelled the appointment after the filters arrived.

Thanks for this suggestion. How much did the filters cost? (I assume you bought 2), and did you end up installing the filters yourself?

 

[Aellinsar]

Found cabin filter set on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/WJM-Filter-Replacement-Activated-Compatible/dp/B07TZ5B9TQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HRL3TZX0JOS2&keywords=tesla+model+3+cabin+filter&pd_rd_r=60052b20-1bfe-451c-b81f-70923b79503f&pd_rd_w=cpGRx&pd_rd_wg=sU4nz&pf_rd_p=a3978073-1659-4459-9864-85fa319939df&pf_rd_r=FWDNKC8EVSD7XREVMHVG&pid=hzr4nGs&qid=1566224306&s=gateway&sprefix=tesla+model+3+cab,aps,158&sr=1-1-catcorr&vehicle=2019-1164-2435-4791--1-6-6-23597--1-1-4683--&vehicleName=2019+Tesla+3

I saw that. "Usually ships within 3 to 5 weeks." did not inspire confidence.

 

[XLR82XS]

Yea, with that shipping time I would order ASAP to have them ready before they require replacement.