Model 3 AC Smell Update...

[08micev]

A lot of tesla owners including myself have had to combat the issue of rotten egg smell when first getting into the car. Here is an AC smell update for 2020 since I cleaned the coil back in Novembe 2019 for the tesla model 3 along with a cabin hepa filter air quality test.
XTechnor Tesla Model 3 Air Filter HEPA https://amzn.to/30winCb
Kool-It Evaporator Foam Cleaner. https://amzn.to/3fBH1HK
Farmogo Tesla Model 3 Air Intake Filter https://amzn.to/3eB3PpB
Model 3 Air Intake Grille https://amzn.to/2CarqR7

 

[Matsayz]

Interesting. I’ll watch the video later but aren’t these supposed HEPA filters a waste? They don’t create an actual seal anywhere and the car isn’t air right anyways right?

 

[araxara]

Interesting. I’ll watch the video later but aren’t these supposed HEPA filters a waste? They don’t create an actual seal anywhere and the car isn’t air right anyways right?

He mentions in the video that the HEPA filter has a foam seal around it and it fits snuggly to prevent air bypassing the filter.

 

[boaterva]

Car isn’t airtight so air comes in through the sealed filter and positive pressurizes the car (to keep things out from getting in elsewhere). Thus you are clear of whatever is outside. That’s the theory.

 

[ATT89]

I don't care what kind of hepa or bepa or zepa's or air tight or air-rights are used.

It stinks.

How do we get rid if that?

 

[Matsayz]

I don't care what kind of hepa or bepa or zepa's or air tight or air-rights are used.

It stinks.

How do we get rid if that?

Buy a can of Kool-it, spray it, put in new filters. Or pay Tesla $150 to do it for you

 

[08micev]

Buy a can of Kool-it, spray it, put in new filters. Or pay Tesla $150 to do it for you

 

[Matsayz]

Yup, hardest part is dealing with Tesla’s crappy locations of the filters. Wish they would’ve copied VW’s Golf HVAC location and ease

 

[borijess3]

Ok so tesla is charging 135 to get the AC coils cleaned to get rid of oder. Is it worth it or can I do this myself?

 

[Skione65]

Do it yourself....$15 for the can. Can order 2 Filters from Tesla, or pick 2 up from a SC.

Ski

 

[borijess3]

Do it yourself....$15 for the can. Can order 2 Filters from Tesla, or pick 2 up from a SC.

Ski

So that's all it is the can and filters? They just did it and I paid the 135 damn. At least now I know. Will not pay them next time.

What can? Does YouTube have a tutorial?

 

[Eno Deb]

So that's all it is the can and filters? They just did it and I paid the 135 damn. At least now I know. Will not pay them next time.

You have saved yourself some contortions to get to the filter box. I did it myself last year (and so far the smell hasn't returned), but if I have to do it again, I'll probably bring it to the Service Center and pay the money ...

 

[Paul-K]

One of these (post-COVID apocalypse) days I’ll bring my screwdriver to one of the SF Tesla meets and swap out filters for anyone who brings a new filter and a Peet’s or Sbux card . Once I established the correct contortion-posture I find it easy (albeit a bit painful) to repeat.

 

[aste154]

Hey guys. I'm having the same issue since June of 2020. I bought my car 1/1/2020. I changed the filters and cleansed the evaporator with that kool it a month ago but after 2 to 3 weeks later the smell is there. My situation is when the A/C is running for a while and when I turn it off and leave just the fan to blow, all of a sudden the stinky smell comes in. I told this to the service adviser on my last visit and he looked puzzled. So definitely the smell is not coming from the filters or the condenser coil. I have a service appointment in two weeks so I'm going to have them inspect it. I'll let you know the outcome but in the meantime can you guys try this and let me know if your issue is similar to mine. Have the A/C on for a long period of time (maybe on your next long trip) then turn off A/C and leave for the fan to blow and increase the temp a little.

 

[AxlxA]

Hey guys. I'm having the same issue since June of 2020. I bought my car 1/1/2020. I changed the filters and cleansed the evaporator with that kool it a month ago but after 2 to 3 weeks later the smell is there. My situation is when the A/C is running for a while and when I turn it off and leave just the fan to blow, all of a sudden the stinky smell comes in. I told this to the service adviser on my last visit and he looked puzzled. So definitely the smell is not coming from the filters or the condenser coil. I have a service appointment in two weeks so I'm going to have them inspect it. I'll let you know the outcome but in the meantime can you guys try this and let me know if your issue is similar to mine. Have the A/C on for a long period of time (maybe on your next long trip) then turn off A/C and leave for the fan to blow and increase the temp a little.

Yes I have this and on my old cars as well. I don't know how bad your smell is but mine is tolerable because it happened on my older cars too.

 

[KenR]

Well I did it myself...and the screw fell into the car. Luckily no rattling..and there is no retrieving it for sure where it dropped. So I taped up that plastic cover.... So I'm ready again to replace the filters and do the can of Kool It... BUT does anyone know if I can replace that screw at HD or Lowes? Or get one that fits that does not use that crazy screwdriver head type?

By the way .. next Time I am getting THREAD and tying it to the screw so that if it does drop..I can retrieve it and then once its screwed in I can either ignore it and see if it breaks from contact or just cut off the extra after I'm done.

 

[aste154]

Yes I have this and on my old cars as well. I don't know how bad your smell is but mine is tolerable because it happened on my older cars too.

I have a 9 year old Toyota Highlander and it doesn't have that problem.

 

[webbah]

One thing I did was purchase 2 cans of Kool-It. When I change my filters I use one for the compressor (as instructed) and then the second I open up the frunk, remove the plastic cover for the intake and shoot the second can of Kool-it inside there. The screen in there tended to get leaves and other crap stuck in the trap and these started to then turn into a biohazard with decomposing material that got wet, etc. I cleaned that out good, then the second can.

To prevent that issue from happening again I installed another filter at the top of the intake with a plastic cover to prevent the buildup. Having the intake filter with the 2 inside filters and a clean system has been much better than the HEPA filters ever were. I never smell any exhaust fumes of cars in front of me anymore nor do I have any musty dirty sock smells!

Before anyone states the obvious, YES the airflow is reduced slightly due to the extra intake filter. I have not experienced any issues though and both heat and AC work just fine.

I can share links to these but they are in German or French. Similar products are available in the US though or Amazon I'm sure. Here they are in German for your learning pleasure!

Plastic cover:

Schutzabdeckung Ansaugsystem für Tesla Model 3

Carbon activated interior filters:

Pollenfilter mit Aktivkohle für Tesla Model 3

Intake filter:

Luftansaugfilter für Tesla Model 3

 

[webbah]

A lot of tesla owners including myself have had to combat the issue of rotten egg smell when first getting into the car. Here is an AC smell update for 2020 since I cleaned the coil back in Novembe 2019 for the tesla model 3 along with a cabin hepa filter air quality test.
XTechnor Tesla Model 3 Air Filter HEPA https://amzn.to/30winCb
Kool-It Evaporator Foam Cleaner. https://amzn.to/3fBH1HK
Farmogo Tesla Model 3 Air Intake Filter https://amzn.to/3eB3PpB
Model 3 Air Intake Grille https://amzn.to/2CarqR7

Looks like I should have read your post before posting to the follow ups too quickly. HAHA

 

[XLR82XS]

I don't care what kind of hepa or bepa or zepa's or air tight or air-rights are used.

It stinks.

How do we get rid if that?

Don't use RECIRC mode. 3 Teslas, tons of mileage, OE cabin filters, no smell EVER. (hot/humid climate)