Vinegar smell from HVAC?

[DMan]

Hey gang,

I've been reading that some people have been having that delicious smell of vinegar coming from their vents when initially getting into their car and after a few min of driving it seems to go away. Tesla wants to charge me $250 + tax to deodorize the A/C system. Is this the way to go? TIA.

 

[boaterva]

Lots of threads on this, mostly on the 3. I thought a recent firmware update fixed this for most by keeping the HVAC fan going to dry out the system after parking the car.

The treatment is to clean the system (AC condenser) with a foam cleaner. On the 3 it’s semi-easy to get to from the passenger foot well. Not sure on the S or X (maybe needs pulling the frunk?).

Any one have details on access for S and X? Googling should get you the foam cleaner and tons of threads but most are about the 3.

 

[brur]

One easy way around the issue is to keep the recycle off.

 

[David.85D]

I haven’t tried on the S, but you often get good enough access to clean the condenser (use the spray foam made for this) by removing the cabin air filter. Rig up a long straw (remember combining drinking straws when you were little? It works...)

It’s worth a look - it’s very easy to get to from the frunk.

 

[rooter]

Must. Resist. Comment...

 

[DMan]

I followed a video and took out my glove box, but because I have a pre-face lift S there was no air cabin filter (or evap coil) anywhere behind it. I've tried searching but does anyone know where the evap coil on a pre-facelift S is?

 

[David.85D]

Sorry. Pulled the cabin air filter and you just can see the inside of the blower.

Note to self: next time something is making noise in the blower suck it out this way...

 

[aerodyne]

Must. Resist. Comment...

Nahhh, something is brewing....