Terrible smell from the A/C

[ksoze]

Those who have this problem, can you state if you had the cowl service completed (TSB 15-01-016-1 - COWL COVER LOWER PIECE REPLACEMENT (SERVICE CAMPAIGN)?

No clue if that helps, but would help eliminate one thing.

 

[Alwaysforward]

I have had zero issues prior to and after the Cowl installation. I don't use the air recircluar setting so maybe that has something to do with those who are experiencing the issues.

 

[pusaterkm]

Those who have this problem, can you state if you had the cowl service completed (TSB 15-01-016-1 - COWL COVER LOWER PIECE REPLACEMENT (SERVICE CAMPAIGN)?

No clue if that helps, but would help eliminate one thing.

I have had the cowl cover replacement done and it does not fix the issue. Dealer service says they can't find anything wrong with the HVAC and recommended that I spray deodorizer in the vents. Thanks for nothing. I have already replaced the cabin filter and sprayed all the vents.

 

[Mark_888]

I have had the cowl cover replacement done and it does not fix the issue. Dealer service says they can't find anything wrong with the HVAC and recommended that I spray deodorizer in the vents. Thanks for nothing. I have already replaced the cabin filter and sprayed all the vents.

You would need more than a deodorizer. You need an anti-fungal spray, such as Clorox Cleaner+Bleach Spray.

I personally find this situation totally unacceptable, because it is a potential health problem to have mold and mildew in the HVAC ducts, not just an inconvenience. This is how legionnaires disease got started. I will not be buying a 2nd gen Genesis until this is fixed.

 

[ksoze]

This is how legionnaires disease got started. I will not be buying a 2nd gen Genesis until this is fixed.

A bit heavy on the melodrama for an issue not reported extensively by owners

The CDC says Legionella does not grow in car A/C systems. While some smell does seem to effect several who post here, it is far from widespread or a health hazard like Legionella. Good news is if you do decide to buy a G2 Genesis, the odds are you will not have the issue, based on the small pool of owners here.

 

[Comp1]

I have the stink issue. First appeared upon startup of ac, then quickly went away. Then as weather got cooler started appearing all the time during a drive with ac off and windows open. When ac was turned on smell went away until next time. Talked to service adviser and he recommended spraying air intake and recirc intake (inside car) with lysol product. Did the trick for a week. I then changed cabin air filter and sprayed again with a different lysol product and at the moment it is good. However I fully expect it to come back. Car is going in next week for first service visit and will bring this up. Never in 30+ years of driving have I had this problem. Something is not right and may need a redesign to fix. But for a lease car I can endure it. But would not buy this car whatsoever.

 

[pusaterkm]

You would need more than a deodorizer. You need an anti-fungal spray, such as Clorox Cleaner+Bleach Spray.

I personally find this situation totally unacceptable, because it is a potential health problem to have mold and mildew in the HVAC ducts, not just an inconvenience. This is how legionnaires disease got started. I will not be buying a 2nd gen Genesis until this is fixed.

Agreed, that is why I used a disinfectant and deodorizer made for automotive ducts. I got it at TP Tools. The can stated that it kills the AIDS virus which is good to know if my Genny ever gets AIDS, but it only fixed the AC smell for a few days. The dealer is the one that said "use a deodorizer" which had they listened to me when I brought the car in they would have know that I had already done more than that.

 

[dirtyoldman]

As lack of condensate drainage is thought to be the cause (at least in some cases), I wonder what the results of the following test would show: Park an affected car next to a known good car with the AC running and see how much water drains from each vehicle.

I'll wager that the musty smelling car won't drain as much liquid.

There are plenty of other vehicles with the same issue (musty AC smell, lack of drainage under car, etc) as a quick google search will show. "Spray some Lysol" seems to be the common dealer "fix" but as we know this is just a temporary band aid and an unacceptable solution especially on a car like the Genesis.

 

[Mark_888]

A bit heavy on the melodrama for an issue not reported extensively by owners

The CDC says Legionella does not grow in car A/C systems. While some smell does seem to effect several who post here, it is far from widespread or a health hazard like Legionella. Good news is if you do decide to buy a G2 Genesis, the odds are you will not have the issue, based on the small pool of owners here.

Not sure I agree that it only affects a small number of 2015 Genesis owners. I have seen enough complaints to believe it is widespread, even if everyone does not complain about it. In the 6 years prior to the 2015 I never heard that complaint on this forum once for the first generation Genesis (2009-2014). Maybe some other cars have the problem, but I have never seen it or heard of it myself.

CDC has not seen or tested the Genesis AC system, so I would not pay that much attention to what they say. In any case, whether it is legionaries, or some other problem, it is not healthy to breath air that has fungus and/or mold in a tightly confined space like a car interior.

This seems like it should be an easy fix, once Hyundai gets around to making the change. Hopefully they are working on it now, maybe for 2017 MY (assuming it has not already been fixed).

 

[Mark_888]

Agreed, that is why I used a disinfectant and deodorizer made for automotive ducts. I got it at TP Tools. The can stated that it kills the AIDS virus which is good to know if my Genny ever gets AIDS, but it only fixed the AC smell for a few days. The dealer is the one that said "use a deodorizer" which had they listened to me when I brought the car in they would have know that I had already done more than that.

I had some fungus or mildew growing on a walkway on the north side of my home that gets no sun, and I tried Lysol spray and Clorox spray cleaner. The Clorox works much better. Just make sure that you don't get any of the Clorox spray on any visible parts of your car, since it has bleach and could discolor it in some cases.

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[balfor]

Not sure if this might help those with this issue but I recently changed the oil on my car and noticed the condensate drain pipe under the passenger side. What was interesting is the end of the pipe has a rubber boot that seals somewhat closed by default. I noticed by pressing on it additional water drained from the end and then it sort of re-sealed itself. Most cars I've had in the past had nothing at the end of the condensate drain, they were just open pipes (albeit small).

I think if the rubber was removed or even cut slightly so it stayed open all the time it may help drain any water in the AC. I don't need to do it living in dry S. Cal but some of you in a humid climate might try it.

 

[db6]

Not sure if this might help those with this issue but I recently changed the oil on my car and noticed the condensate drain pipe under the passenger side. What was interesting is the end of the pipe has a rubber boot that seals somewhat closed by default. I noticed by pressing on it additional water drained from the end and then it sort of re-sealed itself. Most cars I've had in the past had nothing at the end of the condensate drain, they were just open pipes (albeit small).

I think if the rubber was removed or even cut slightly so it stayed open all the time it may help drain any water in the AC. I don't need to do it living in dry S. Cal but some of you in a humid climate might try it.

Hey Balfor - Would you mind taking a pic of this?

 

[pusaterkm]

Hey Balfor - Would you mind taking a pic of this?

X2

 

[dgiff]

I have had this same problem since one month after we drove our Genesis off the lot in June. Back in shop today. 2nd time.

We asked to test to see what kind of mold is forming.

It smells everyday.. No, I won't mask it with air fresher.

 

[Nikgen]

I have had this same problem since one month after we drove our Genesis off the lot in June. Back in shop today. 2nd time.

We asked to test to see what kind of mold is forming.

It smells everyday.. No, I won't mask it with air fresher.

I just got a survey from Hyundai yesterday - email was titled "Hyundai Engineers would like feedback on your Genesis" and had a link to a web survey for feedback on a number or areas - there was an extensive section of questions about moldy/stale odors from AC - so it appears they are well aware of this at HMA. I had the issue with mine this summer (very strong moldy/stale smell for a few seconds at startup), but since they "deodorized" it in July, it's been way better and as fall set in, I don't have the problem - I fear it will be back next summer, though.

 

[coolasice]

i have it too, getting worse in colder weather. Is it posted here the best procedure to spray everything? didn't dig though the pages yet

also for those that don't have the issue or got rid of it, what are your A/C settings? i have left it on auto since i got the car but maybe i should set it to fresh air only with no recirculation?

 

[coolasice]

found it on page 2

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=16199

 

[srobak]

Strangely - I had this issue in my 11 Azera - but do not have it in my G2.

 

[coolasice]

Did the deoderize technique posted. So far so good. Hope it at least keeps it out for a month or so. Not that hard to do so if i have to do it once and a while not a big deal but a permant fix would be aces

 

[cmhsieh54]

I have also had a musty smell out of my AC for the last few weeks. But I want to be clear that this was a very sweet kind of smell. Not pleasant, but sweet. Kind of a sweetness that you would smell from a new plastic air mattress.

Hyundai technician (I'm living and driving in Korea) took one whiff, went straight to the glove box, removed the cabin air filter and showed it to me.

Fifteen minutes later, I was on my way. Cabin filter replaced and problem solved.

It's possible that different smells may have different reasons. With different solutions.