I think it's water that has sat in the condenser and A/C ducts all winter or for a long duration. I had the same issue too when I ran the A/C with the air coming from outside instead of recycling it from the cabin. After running the A/C for a while, the odor went away. This maybe an easy remedy.
A/C smells in Armada
Has anyone else have an issue with a weird moldy smell from their A/C when you initally turn it on. I have changed the cabin filter and even tried A/C deoderizers with no success. My local dealer tells me that the smell is normal for armada's and titans and goes away once the A/C in use. This smell can not be normal any suggestions?:
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
I had the same problem with A/C. I turned my heater up all the way and fan on all the way. Ran it for 5 minutes. No more smell anymore.
I will try turning the heater on for five minutes to see if that works.
Thanks!
Thanks!
usually that smell comes right after the cold months, and goes away the longer it is in use.
Oh I know I have the same problem. Glad to know it's not just mine. It's an '05 with 10,000 miles on it and it still smells after the AC has been turned off (not while it's on though). What's that about?
You all most likely have dirty condenser coils. The coils are what cool the air, hence they "condition" the air. Thus the phrase "air conditioning." The coils have a drip pain beneath them, that collects condensation, and a drip line that drains beneath the car.
If you park the car, in your garage for instance and ALL of the water has not evaporated from the condensation pan, it can be a great source for mold, germs etc, and is most likely the cause of your smell.
There are many condenser kits that can be purchased, at any chain. In fact your Nissan Dealer should offer such a service for $30.00 or so. However, if you allow your automobile to sit out in the hot sun, after running the AC, or if you turn the heater on for several minutes prior to shutting the car off, the condensation and drain pain will evaporate, hence you should not notice the smell.
However, do not confuse the smell of a "New" AC system for that of mildew or mold. All AC coils are shipped with a protective layer of oil/grease, to prevent oxidation, as most are made out of copper. This layer, of oil/grease will eventually stop smelling, after several hours of use.
There is no avoiding it, and it is one of the things that comes with the "new car smell." Also, the AC condensing coils on the Armada are much, much larger than those of passenger cars, or smaller SUV's, thus you will notice the smell, more than you would, normally.
The filters, while high quality can only filter large particles, due to the fact that there are still large gaps, between the filter and the AC ducts, through which scents can pass through, and small dust particles can pass. It is not a 100% sealed unit. No AC unit is, there is always a small amount of dust that gets through.
The idea that AC system's do not need to be cleaned from time to time is a myth, and the main reason why so many home AC compressors last less than 10 years. A properly cleaned and maintained AC system in a car, or home can easily last 20 years or more. It all has to do with keeping the load on the compressor, within specs. This all has to do with keeping the AC coils and AC filters as clean as possible.
Remember there is an AC coil, near the radiator in front of the car, which should be cleaned carefully, and there is an AC coil, under the dash, which can also be cleaned with an AC coil kit, as mentioned above.
Good luck,
Eric
If you park the car, in your garage for instance and ALL of the water has not evaporated from the condensation pan, it can be a great source for mold, germs etc, and is most likely the cause of your smell.
There are many condenser kits that can be purchased, at any chain. In fact your Nissan Dealer should offer such a service for $30.00 or so. However, if you allow your automobile to sit out in the hot sun, after running the AC, or if you turn the heater on for several minutes prior to shutting the car off, the condensation and drain pain will evaporate, hence you should not notice the smell.
However, do not confuse the smell of a "New" AC system for that of mildew or mold. All AC coils are shipped with a protective layer of oil/grease, to prevent oxidation, as most are made out of copper. This layer, of oil/grease will eventually stop smelling, after several hours of use.
There is no avoiding it, and it is one of the things that comes with the "new car smell." Also, the AC condensing coils on the Armada are much, much larger than those of passenger cars, or smaller SUV's, thus you will notice the smell, more than you would, normally.
The filters, while high quality can only filter large particles, due to the fact that there are still large gaps, between the filter and the AC ducts, through which scents can pass through, and small dust particles can pass. It is not a 100% sealed unit. No AC unit is, there is always a small amount of dust that gets through.
The idea that AC system's do not need to be cleaned from time to time is a myth, and the main reason why so many home AC compressors last less than 10 years. A properly cleaned and maintained AC system in a car, or home can easily last 20 years or more. It all has to do with keeping the load on the compressor, within specs. This all has to do with keeping the AC coils and AC filters as clean as possible.
Remember there is an AC coil, near the radiator in front of the car, which should be cleaned carefully, and there is an AC coil, under the dash, which can also be cleaned with an AC coil kit, as mentioned above.
Good luck,
Eric
I just drove the Armada from the Seattle area down to Arizona, so we're using the AC hardcore for the first time since we bought the truck. We're getting a mildew type smell from it, and I'd bet it's what ever has been accumulating in these areas for the last two years.
Thanks for the heads-up on cleaning the coils. A project for when I get back to the house.
Thanks for the heads-up on cleaning the coils. A project for when I get back to the house.
Just got back from Minnesota and had the smell a couple of times. It goes away pretty quick, but it does smell when you don't use it often.
About over it...
As with many fellow CT/CA members, when I take my 04 to the dealer I hear the same thing.. Its normal….OK..Question??
If is “Nissan normal” why then don’t all Nissan models have this problem??... Is it an option we pay for??? lol
Seems most service managers do nothing more than grasp at straws , the most recent service manager said he would personally check the condensate drain tube (TBS Service Bulletin Num : 05112 Date of Bulletin: NOV 22, 2005)…When I went back he said it was because I live in tropical So Fla. The look on his face was priceless when I told him the mada spent most of its life in the Great Lakes area before I bought from a dealer up there…
FYI…I spoke with a local AC specialist while dropping off a neighbor’s car...they have dismantled the evaporator / heater core / blower assembly on several Nissans (madas and titans mainly) Guess what…they generally don’t find any mold or visible accumulations…the smell is apparently generated by the evaporator coil-fins itself….He had an evap core in the shop they changed out at the customers expense..Why ?? because the owners like the truck and the dealers wouldn't do anything.…All I had to do was spray a little water on it and surprise…it smells like $%(# de ja vue
I don’t know about others, but I am about over the embarrassment of having to tell clients and friends “We get back in the car you will smell something for the first mile or so… an aromatic bouquet resembling a vomit scented air freshener...” …Really sets the tone with a nice lunch or dinner
I suggest we document how many of us have this problematic condition….then take it to Nissan USA….
Nissan..Shift_ to a smell you won't forget..
As with many fellow CT/CA members, when I take my 04 to the dealer I hear the same thing.. Its normal….OK..Question??
If is “Nissan normal” why then don’t all Nissan models have this problem??... Is it an option we pay for??? lol
Seems most service managers do nothing more than grasp at straws , the most recent service manager said he would personally check the condensate drain tube (TBS Service Bulletin Num : 05112 Date of Bulletin: NOV 22, 2005)…When I went back he said it was because I live in tropical So Fla. The look on his face was priceless when I told him the mada spent most of its life in the Great Lakes area before I bought from a dealer up there…
FYI…I spoke with a local AC specialist while dropping off a neighbor’s car...they have dismantled the evaporator / heater core / blower assembly on several Nissans (madas and titans mainly) Guess what…they generally don’t find any mold or visible accumulations…the smell is apparently generated by the evaporator coil-fins itself….He had an evap core in the shop they changed out at the customers expense..Why ?? because the owners like the truck and the dealers wouldn't do anything.…All I had to do was spray a little water on it and surprise…it smells like $%(# de ja vue
I don’t know about others, but I am about over the embarrassment of having to tell clients and friends “We get back in the car you will smell something for the first mile or so… an aromatic bouquet resembling a vomit scented air freshener...” …Really sets the tone with a nice lunch or dinner
I suggest we document how many of us have this problematic condition….then take it to Nissan USA….
Nissan..Shift_ to a smell you won't forget..
soflashrek, this sounds like a good idea. Maybe the mods have an idea how we can get this message to Nissan. It seems like the deakers are not dealing with it! Any suggestions, anyone?
There's been quite a few threads on this and the problem is its not just Nissan.
So the best solution I've found is to just turn off A/C a couple blocks before you get turn off engine. That give it some time to dry out the internals and prevent mildew from forming inside. Works pretty good for me.
Also keep it on "fresh" setting and not recirc. I even sprayed Lysol into the system and then cleaned out the filters behind glove compartment.
So the best solution I've found is to just turn off A/C a couple blocks before you get turn off engine. That give it some time to dry out the internals and prevent mildew from forming inside. Works pretty good for me.
Also keep it on "fresh" setting and not recirc. I even sprayed Lysol into the system and then cleaned out the filters behind glove compartment.
I am damn sure not running my A/C right now, but when the weather is warm I do. I have been doing the "Turn it off before I park it" method since last spring and it seems to keep it down. I also keep it on the "fresh" setting when I run the A/C. Not just a Nissan problem, huhn?andy said:There's been quite a few threads on this and the problem is its not just Nissan.
So the best solution I've found is to just turn off A/C a couple blocks before you get turn off engine. That give it some time to dry out the internals and prevent mildew from forming inside. Works pretty good for me.
Also keep it on "fresh" setting and not recirc. I even sprayed Lysol into the system and then cleaned out the filters behind glove compartment.
:crikey:
Got it my Honda, Lexus, and Mercedes too.BlakSpyda said:Not just a Nissan problem, huhn?
:crikey:
One theory I've had is it had to do with tree pollen. When i was parking underneath trees, the smell always came fast. Once I noticed that, I stayed away from trees and it helped a lot.
Wow. Glad my Benz isn't having that problem, my wife would be at wits end and giving the dealer hell about that!andy said:Got it my Honda, Lexus, and Mercedes too.
One theory I've had is it had to do with tree pollen. When i was parking underneath trees, the smell always came fast. Once I noticed that, I stayed away from trees and it helped a lot.
I have not had this problem before but last year we had a hot winter and was never without ac more than a couple of weeks. I live out in the desert and have not ran the ac for months this was a colder winter for us and think i will have the same issue since it suppose to get 80 today and rising so will definitly use the tips. thanks.
I have changed the incabin microfilter twice so far, but I haven't had this problem yet though. 
The A/C in our Armada has never smelled bad, after 19K miles and no filter change. Since we have the Automatic Temp Control, the A/C compressor runs all of the time. We never turn it off. I have noticed that this vehicle seems to drip a lot from the A/C condensor. Maybe the people with troubles are not draining from the drip pan, and moisture is collecting there and growing stuff? I've never had a problem with my Maxima either (it also has Auto A/C, which always runs the compressor). I live in SoCal, so it doesn't get real cold or humid, so perhaps we're just not getting the same combination of factors that cause the system to generate stinky stuff.
Keith
Keith
Oh great, maybe its me?
When I use the A/C on warm, not hot days, and then turn it off, the next time I drive the car, it smells for about a minute or two. I always thought it was just some humid musty air that needed to get blown out of the system.
But changing the in cabin filter definitely helps. I forgot who posted it, but I first use compressed air to blow all the crud out, then rinse it backwards and get all the dirt and dust out. Let it dry out and put it back in. Seems to work.
When I use the A/C on warm, not hot days, and then turn it off, the next time I drive the car, it smells for about a minute or two. I always thought it was just some humid musty air that needed to get blown out of the system.
But changing the in cabin filter definitely helps. I forgot who posted it, but I first use compressed air to blow all the crud out, then rinse it backwards and get all the dirt and dust out. Let it dry out and put it back in. Seems to work.
No andy, it's aint you.andy said:Oh great, maybe its me?
When I use the A/C on warm, not hot days, and then turn it off, the next time I drive the car, it smells for about a minute or two. I always thought it was just some humid musty air that needed to get blown out of the system.
But changing the in cabin filter definitely helps. I forgot who posted it, but I first use compressed air to blow all the crud out, then rinse it backwards and get all the dirt and dust out. Let it dry out and put it back in. Seems to work.
, BTW, it was scr38 who post ed it. 1 - 20 of 42 Posts
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