Vomit smell when starting air conditioning

[plasmo]

For the past couple weeks, my air conditioning smells terrible (like vomit) for a few minutes, then eventually goes away. I checked my frunk to make sure nothing was left there, but cannot figure out why this is happening. The smell seems to be more and more noticeable recently.
Does anyone else have this issue?

 

[Blup85]

For the past couple weeks, my air conditioning smells terrible (like vomit) for a few minutes, then eventually goes away. I checked my frunk to make sure nothing was left there, but cannot figure out why this is happening. The smell seems to be more and more noticeable recently.
Does anyone else have this issue?

hmm. rent to Turo?

 

[jebinc]

For the past couple weeks, my air conditioning smells terrible (like vomit) for a few minutes, then eventually goes away. I checked my frunk to make sure nothing was left there, but cannot figure out why this is happening. The smell seems to be more and more noticeable recently.
Does anyone else have this issue?

Your AC condenser drain line is plugged and has mold growing in it. There are several threads in this forum that explain how to quickly clean this so you can enjoy breathing “vomit” smelling free air, and cold vomit smelling free air at that.

 

[SJC3]

Welcome to the vomit vent club. Basically a ton of 3s due to a design flaw with the auto climate
control and the cabin filters.

 

[Kilotango74]

Welcome to the vomit vent club. Basically a ton of 3s due to a design flaw with the auto climate
control and the cabin filters.

Tesla is far from the only manufacture that has this issue. When the weather is hot or humid my BMW X5 smells like mildew and mold the first 30 seconds after I start it.

 

[jebinc]

Tesla is far from the only manufacture that has this issue. When the weather is hot or humid my BMW X5 smells like mildew and mold the first 30 seconds after I start it.

yep, the “vomit comet” has visited some of my past cars as well.

 

[plasmo]

Tesla is far from the only manufacture that has this issue. When the weather is hot or humid my BMW X5 smells like mildew and mold the first 30 seconds after I start it.

It has been very hot recently...maybe it’s related. Is this something I should pursue to try to get fixed, or is this something normal?

 

[plasmo]

Your AC condenser drain line is plugged and has mold growing in it. There are several threads in this forum that explain how to quickly clean this so you can enjoy breathing “vomit” smelling free air, and cold vomit smelling free air at that.

Thanks for this info. I’ll check it out.

 

[Rottenapplr]

Ugh I, going in for this tomorrow actually. sc appointment.

 

[jebinc]

It has been very hot recently...maybe it’s related. Is this something I should pursue to try to get fixed, or is this something normal?

see post #3

 

[Rottenapplr]

Your AC condenser drain line is plugged and has mold growing in it. There are several threads in this forum that explain how to quickly clean this so you can enjoy breathing “vomit” smelling free air, and cold vomit smelling free air at that.

How do you clean this?

 

[Leafdriver333]

Here is the

It has been very hot recently...maybe it’s related. Is this something I should pursue to try to get fixed, or is this something normal?

here is the link that may be helpful to you.

AC odor removal and cleaning

 

[jebinc]

How do you clean this?

As I suggested, search the forum to find the threads that talk about cleaning the AC smell. There are several.

 

[SJC3]

Your AC condenser drain line is plugged and has mold growing in it. There are several threads in this forum that explain how to quickly clean this so you can enjoy breathing “vomit” smelling free air, and cold vomit smelling free air at that.

Can you point to a solution that continues to work? I’ve read a lot of cleaning and filter replacement attempts but the problem comes right back.

 

[jebinc]

Can you point to a solution that continues to work? I’ve read a lot of cleaning and filter replacement attempts but the problem comes right back.

No, as another member stated, it’s a design flaw. You can follow the cleaning instructions and buy yourself a season of non vomit smelling air.

 

[Bill Foster]

Tesla is far from the only manufacture that has this issue. When the weather is hot or humid my BMW X5 smells like mildew and mold the first 30 seconds after I start it.

Exactly, benz had this issue on the 212 as well.

 

[Brentt]

My car developed a bit of an odor at 20,000 miles. Mobile service changed the cabin filters and it went away and hasn’t returned.
As a precaution I replaced the filters myself this week at 40,000 miles. There are two filters. One on top and one on bottom. The filter on right is the old one from the bottom, and the one on left is new. You can see the old filter is already pretty dirty. The top filter still looked good but I replaced it anyway.

 

[jebinc]

My car developed a bit of an odor at 20,000 miles. Mobile service changed the cabin filters and it went away and hasn’t returned.
As a precaution I replaced the filters myself this week at 40,000 miles. There are two filters. One on top and one on bottom. The filter on right is the old one from the bottom, and the one on left is new. You can see the old filter is already pretty dirty. The top filter still looked good but I replaced it anyway.

View attachment 432256

What do the filters cost? Tesla, or knock-off?

 

[Brentt]

What do the filters cost? Tesla, or knock-off?

They are Factory Tesla replacements and cost $34

 

[jebinc]

They are Factory Tesla replacements and cost $34

Each, or for a set of two?