information concerning the mildew smell from the ac

[ep010835]

Quick Google search of "mildew smell on start up" brings up over 15,000 posts covering virtually every car model. Not saying there is not a specific problem with the Genesis, but a cursory review of just the first page full of various car brands looks like it could have been this site.

Interesting idea you had doing a Google search.

 

[HEY GURL]

It seems several of us in humid Texas have this issue. Yes, it's super annoying, but I still love my car.

I have resorted to using 2 air fresheners clipped to the middle vents. It definitely helps to get a whiff of fragrance when the A/C comes on or when the outside air is coming thru.

It's hard to believe we can't remedy this problem. Ugh...

 

[dadsturn]

UPDATE: They have fully disassembled the dash, removed the blower box, condenser case assembly and are finishing replacement of those items. All internal ducks have been cleaned and disinfected. all drains have been cleaned and tested. Hopefully this does it. They stated that both the condenser and blower box smelled badly of mildew.http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-ge...entid=6577&stc=1&d=1453321281c=1&d=1453321281

 

[Genentec]

can't blame hyundai for this

 

[ksoze]

All internal ducks have been cleaned and disinfected.

I'm sure Donald and Daffy were pleased for the bath and cleaning

 

[dadsturn]

I'm sure Donald and Daffy were pleased for the bath and cleaning

haha....you got the point, that's what matters.

 

[dadsturn]

can't blame hyundai for this

oh yes I can! this has been a problem since two weeks after purchase and continued to get worse. The dealership even told the plant that they should buy the car back and replace, but they wanted to do this before they replace the vehicle.

 

[jsmit86]

I'm sure Donald and Daffy were pleased for the bath and cleaning

This really quacked me up!

 

[UmALum1990]

Good grief. Sorry you had to go through this and I hope they fixed the problem. I once had a 2005 Lexus GS300, and at the end of a nice road trip, a stray piece of plastic from manufacturing clogged the a/c condensation tube and my car basically flooded. They had to "gut" my car inside to dry it out; from all seating to taking out the carpeting. So I feel your pain.

 

[dadsturn]

ok, update.

Everything was completed, picked up sat am. everything was installed tight from all indications but there were a few scratches. the aluminum on the dash, behind the drivers seat, 5 large scratches in the rear seat leather.

informed them and they are ordering all new pieces to replace. waiting to see what they are going to do about the leather scratches yet. overall, I am really impressed that there wasn't more with the amount they had to remove.

also impressed they are treating this very well in making sure the car is in the exact condition as it was when delivered. hopefully the mildew situation is over and done with.

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[dadsturn]

new update. Hyundai stated yesterday that they were not ordering the replacement parts to fix the damaged ones in the car until after two weeks. they then proceeded to inform me that "if" the car didn't show any signs of odor after two weeks, they would order the parts. IF the odor came back, they are buying the car back from us. (Hyundai's words!!!!)

to all that have this mildew problem, DO NOT play around with the dealerships. report this straight to Hyundai, get a ticket number, and get it fixed or the car replaced.

 

[dgiff]

We have exactly the same issue.. They kept the car for a week trying chemical disinfecting.. But now my wife says she can smell it again.

My buddy who works at Chrysler, says he's had to remove and replace all the HVAC as fix for this exact problem.

 

[dadsturn]

our two weeks are up and the smell is definitely gone. they will get the parts required coming to fix the items they damaged. keeping fingers crossed, but have made it quite clear if the mildew comes back, they own the car.

 

[Nikgen]

our two weeks are up and the smell is definitely gone. they will get the parts required coming to fix the items they damaged. keeping fingers crossed, but have made it quite clear if the mildew comes back, they own the car.

My previous experience with my 2015 was that the smell really came on over time and intensified in the hot, humid summer. For mine, there was no odor issue in the first summer (picked up in late June 2014) but, by July of 2015 it was foul on startup of the AC system.

I'd reserve judgement on the fix until you have had extended operation in those kind of conditions.

 

[canuckv8u]

We just had our first hot weather of the summer and first since buying the Genny and I started to get the musty smell when the climate is on auto.

Anyone find a resolution to this yet (other than a teardown and rebuild of the hvac)?

I'm coming due for my next service and will report it then, so I'd like to be armed with some info beforehand.

 

[Alwaysforward]

I finally got tired of spraying the lysol in the outside vent and went with these. No more smell. I have two of these in, one on drivers side and one on the passenger side. They work awesome.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/AMERICAN-...hener-Vent-Stick-New-Car-Scent-6-Pk./45985220

 

[pmckechnie]

Just had a thought. How about a couple of those attached to the cabin filter?

 

[Seejay]

I've had my car for only five months and, of course, no smell yet.

But I live in Houston, the home of mold and mildew. I fully expect to experience it sooner or later. It is present to a small degree in my Sonata. A friend's Impreza is quite bad.

During the summer season (nearly all year), there are places in Houston where you can smell it in the air. The sides of buildings are green with it. Due to the humidity, prodigious amounts of condensed water are generated by the evaporator coils of the AC and the water stays in a dark place. It's a perfect breeding ground.

It can be mitigated by parking the car upwards on an incline to facilitate drainage of the AC water drain. Parking in the garage overnight really helps--at least that has been my experience with the Sonata. Thoroughly flushing the air intake of the HVAC system at the base of the windshield will help to remove spores.

For tweakers, I would offer the suggestion of a 12V powered UV lamp installed in the coil box and drain. Is there such a beast?

 

[canuckv8u]

I finally got tired of spraying the lysol in the outside vent and went with these. No more smell. I have two of these in, one on drivers side and one on the passenger side. They work awesome.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/AMERICAN-...hener-Vent-Stick-New-Car-Scent-6-Pk./45985220

Appreciate the suggestion but I didn't buy a $60k car to have to buy air fresheners to mask a foul odour. I've had several cars before this and none had an issue with mildew smell. I'm looking for a solution to the root problem not a bandaid fix.

 

[Alwaysforward]

...I'm looking for a solution to the root problem not a bandaid fix.

When you find one, please let me know!