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Model 3 Weird Smell

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by Tobigg, Mar 29, 2018.

  1. Tjcross

    Tjcross Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2018
    Messages:
    48
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    I am glad to see a post about this cause I have the same problem! I’m in Dallas, TX and it’s been a ton of rain. I also like to keep the car at 68 if that makes a difference.

    I have noticed that if I turn on the AC from the app and it’s on for 5-10 min before I get in the car - that’s when it’s the worst! Anyone have the same experience?

    Let me know your thoughts and If others are having the same problem id love to hear how it was fixed.
     
  2. Lanzer

    Lanzer Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2018
    Messages:
    206
    Location:
    San Jose
    After having owned my M3 for a month, I am now getting the AC smell every time I get into my car during sunny days. My local service center say it's something that is not covered for it's not a defect.

    I am trying to find out how I can clean the system out and remove the mildew that's growing in the AC condenser. The air intake has a grid which doesn't allow me to poke anything down the chute. Probably need to get access to the air filter and see if I can get to the condenser that way.
     
  3. firstflyer

    firstflyer Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2019
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    #43 firstflyer, Jun 6, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2019
    In all seriousness, I thought that I was crazy but I have had passengers mention this also. Occasionally on initial use we have smelled what seemed to everybody as a vinegar smell, Crazy I know but it has happened multiple times.
    Edit- missed a page in the thread and saw others with the vinegar smell issue, Glad to know it wasn't my imagination but has anybody received an answer for the vinegar smell issue and where is it coming from?
     
  4. Jaywlker

    Jaywlker Former Vendor

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2018
    Messages:
    287
    Location:
    North Scottsdale
    I HAVE! It smells like puke. But Lysol sprayed into the a-c intake takes care of it.
     
  5. superbaka

    superbaka Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2019
    Messages:
    137
    Location:
    California
    The same glycol is actually used in beverages as as sweetener, including a lot of whiskeys. its legally allowed in small doses in some countries but not others. I noticed chic fil a sauces have it. Isn't industrialization great?
     
  6. 0mpg

    0mpg Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2018
    Messages:
    172
    Location:
    Nc
    I went to the service center to have them address the smell. they told me the late 2018 cars needed to have their system cleaned since they ran their AC prior to the firmware fix that runs the fan after you exit the car to dry out the system. Snippet from the service log.

    Removed and cleaned cabin filter assembly. Applied HVAC cleaner to evaporator. Applied deodorizer to HVAC system.
    Reassembled and verified correct operation


    Hopefully no more barf smell and the firmware will do the rest.
     
    • Helpful x 6
    • Informative x 1
  7. Az_Rael

    Az_Rael Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2016
    Messages:
    5,602
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Now that it is summer again, my car smells again. Teslas fix only seems to work for a week or so before it is back.

    Had anyone found the AC condensation drain exit? To fix this on my S I sprayed a foam evaporator core cleaner up the drain, which worked really well.
     
    • Informative x 1
  8. Infinitize

    Infinitize New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2018
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    I have this strong vinegar smell immediately turning on the A/C. after a few minutes, it's gone but it doesn't feel like it's fresh air like when I received this car back in July 2018. I do want to bring it to the SC or have mobile service check on it, so I am glad I am not the only one experiencing this smell. However, could this potentially be a firmware issue?
     
  9. ngogas

    ngogas Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Messages:
    1,725
    Location:
    Utah
    Yes. I always thought it was elon’s “Musk”. Lol
     
    • Funny x 3
  10. ngogas

    ngogas Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Messages:
    1,725
    Location:
    Utah
    To be honest at first I thought it was my son. He plays a lot of basketball and at first I noticed it , he happened to be in the car. I scolded him to shower lol.
    A days so later the ac came in and clear is was the hvac. To this day I haven’t told him that yet. Haha.
     
    • Funny x 4
  11. TheOtherPete

    TheOtherPete Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2018
    Messages:
    33
    Location:
    USA
    I tried spraying Lysol into the air intake in the frunk (remove the plastic cover) but after the first application it wasn't completely gone. I'm going to try again this weekend, if that doesn't work then I will take the advice mentioned earlier in this thread and buy something specifically for this : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZRZJL9O

    If you are going to do this remember to turn the HVAC off recirculate mode and turn up the fan so that it is really sucking air into the intake hard. I would also leave the windows open unless you like the scent.
     
    • Like x 1
  12. SJC3

    SJC3 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2018
    Messages:
    452
    Location:
    bay area
    Add me to the list and good to know it’s not an isolated issue. Dec 18 build. Will keep an eye out on the folks fixing this vs waiting for an appointment. Conclusive that this isn’t dangerous right?
     
  13. Rusty1

    Rusty1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Messages:
    107
    Location:
    Ooltewah, TN
    Our March-18 Model 3 has the smell. Can the mobile tech perform the maintenance?
     
  14. Rusty1

    Rusty1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Messages:
    107
    Location:
    Ooltewah, TN
    We have scheduled a SC appointment for this. I will update if they fix it.
     
  15. PCCMSUN

    PCCMSUN New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2018
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Arizona
    The mobile service technician told me that the charge is $70 plus tax to replace the cabin air filter and $108 plus tax for an evaporator coil cleaning treatment.
     
    • Informative x 1
  16. NIGHTHAWK017

    NIGHTHAWK017 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Location:
    Texas
    • Helpful x 2
    • Informative x 1
    • Like x 1
  17. Scribbious

    Scribbious Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2018
    Messages:
    17
    Location:
    Tallahassee, Florida
    That was my theory also and I noticed that Cabin Overheat Protection seemed to be using primarily recirculate which would make matters worse. I've been intentionally turning recirculate off when I think about it and it seems to have helped.
     
  18. Tzebra

    Tzebra Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2019
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Palm Desert
    Same here, Palm Desert, car delivered in December. I just recently started using the a/c instead of just the fans and it smells ugly for a short while. Thought it was my imagination.
     
  19. Az_Rael

    Az_Rael Supporting Member

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    5,602
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
  20. JBT66

    JBT66 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2018
    Messages:
    578
    Location:
    Arizona
    Mines started doing this about two weeks ago. Vinegar musty smell upon the AC firing it.
    Mines from September of 2018.
    In AZ it’s required. I’ve had cabin over heat completely disabled as I’d kill the battery quickly.
    I park in an enclosed garage during work hours and it still has this smell now.
     

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