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Musty smell after evaporator replacement 850 1996

Ever since my evaporator was replaced by the dealer I have been getting a musty smell with the A/C on startup and when it kicks off(yes there is still the problem of it kicking off just when I need it most). Now that the weather here in CT is colder I still use the defrost and get that musty smell even worse than before. I'm wondering if I'm breathing in some leaking refigerant.
Has anyone had this happen to them?

Marty








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    Musty smell after evaporator replacement 850 1996

    Take it back to the dealer. They will spray a mold dissinfectant in it, ususally for free. They did mine and it cleared it up in about 10 minutes.








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    Musty smell after evaporator replacement 850 1996

    Hello mlandusk,
    I have had a smell like you descrbe, but I would have thought that the Mech that replaced your Evap would have cleaned the vent box out before installing the new Evap. there is ALOT of junk that finds its way into the vent box and comes to rest at the Evap if the car has never had a pollen filter installed.
    This may help, try to park the car with a slight down ward slope so that the passenger side is a little higher than the drivers side, Take off the panel below the glove box, you will see that there is a black object mounted in the vent box to the left of the blower, remove this item from the vent box, spray some bleach and water mixture ( not too strong)towards the EVAP inside the vent, maybe a half to one cup worth. Try not to get any back towards the blower. Reinstall the black item ( I forget what it is called) turn on the blower full speed untill the dripping from the drain tube under the car stops. The bleach water mixture should wash out any mold or dirt or whatever else may be making this smell if it is water soluble.
    It worked for me!
    The A/C kicking off just when you need it most is most likely the compressor clutch. The contacts get gapped and when it gets hot it has to cool off before they will make contact again.
    Do an archive search on these problems.

    steve d. '94 850 120K '95 855t 135K, '00 C70 75K








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      Musty smell after evaporator replacement 850 1996

      I will try your suggestions with the bleach & water. It does seem odd that last year when the car had the old Evap. I never got any smell, and then when the dealer replaced it, it started to happen. I would hate to think my compressor is shot after blowing $1000 on the evap, but I will definitely wait until next year on that one. I did get fault codes for the dampers and the cabin temp. sensors too. I replaced the sensors but I haven't gotten to those nasty little motors that move my dampers around. Those motors are over $100 apiece... ouch
      I will let you know how I make out on the musty smell and thanks for the advice.
      Marty








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        Musty smell after evaporator replacement 850 1996

        Hi

        My guess is that the new evap is allowing the a/c to operate more efficiently.

        One member would suggest turning the a/c off for the last few miles and letting outside air to dry off the dampness around the evap and in the vents. No damp means no mould - no smell! I find that this works.

        Clutch can be adjusted.
        Vernon







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