Terrible smell from the A/C

[Rick Shin]

For the first few minutes, the A/C emits really bad smell, whether it's on A/C or heating. Something like rotting fish. Then it goes away -- or maybe my nose is fatigued -- after a few minutes.

I've had new cars before, but it's the first time a new car within the first year of purchase is doing this.

Yes, I've recently had the air filter replaced, but it didn't help.

Any idea why?

 

[xiaphin]

There was a great write-up on here a few weeks back explaining step by step on how to eliminate the bad A/C smell. I searched for it but was unable to find it. Anybody else remember seeing this? If so can you post a link in here for Rick Shin.

 

[Genpire]

maybe something crawled up in there and died. never know.

 

[peridoc]

If so can you post a link in here for Rick Shin.

I believe this might be the post you are referring to:

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

 

[opticsguy]

I always turn off the compressor a few blocks from home of the office to dry out the evaporator.

 

[kn5owa]

For the first few minutes, the A/C emits really bad smell, whether it's on A/C or heating. Something like rotting fish. Then it goes away -- or maybe my nose is fatigued -- after a few minutes.

I've had new cars before, but it's the first time a new car within the first year of purchase is doing this.

Yes, I've recently had the air filter replaced, but it didn't help.

Any idea why?

Is the evaporator draining condensate on the ground as per design (with the recirculate function off)?

Mine is dumping water like crazy right now (Wash. Wx).

 

[dach2k3]

I complained about this at the dealer and all they did was crank up the heater to max and run it for 5 min to dry out the system. It helped but did not fix the issue. I need to read the previous post to see what they recommend. I had previously researched it and it was recommended to turn on the AC max with the vents open and car totally open (all windows open) and then PPP the hood and spray Lysol directly into the I take for 30 seconds. Then let it run for a few min and then turn on the heater and let that run for 5 min. I did all of that and it got rid of the smell for about 3 months.

Ok read his post and it is a similar procedure. I just used regular Lysol and I changed the cabin filter at the same time right after it.

 

[Mark_888]

Yes, I've recently had the air filter replaced, but it didn't help.

You probably think this is a silly question, but I assume you mean cabin air filter, and not the engine air filter?

 

[Rick Shin]

You probably think this is a silly question, but I assume you mean cabin air filter, and not the engine air filter?

I'm not sure. I had it replaced at the dealership, after complaining about the smell. I assume they replaced whatever filter that could help remove the smell.

Actually they showed it to me after replacing it. It was a white filter that looked like a crumpled sheet of paper, with a lot of dirt on it. Is that what a cabin air filter looks like?

 

[Mark_888]

I'm not sure. I had it replaced at the dealership, after complaining about the smell. I assume they replaced whatever filter that could help remove the smell.

Actually they showed it to me after replacing it. It was a white filter that looked like a crumpled sheet of paper, with a lot of dirt on it. Is that what a cabin air filter looks like?

Sounds like the climate control (cabin) filter, but they are both crumpled sheets of paper, but engine air filter is much larger and has a hard plastic frame.

The climate control (cabin) air filter is about 1" thick and it looks to be all paper. If you have a 2015 there is picture of one on page 7-37 of your owner's manual.

To fix it, probably requires taking out the climate control air filter and spraying some Lysol or Clorox spray cleaner in the duct behind it to kill the mold/mildew in your system. In the future, I would make sure to not use recirculate setting on your A/C (use AUTO and only adjust the temp).

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Rick Shin]

In the future, I would make sure to not use recirculate setting on your A/C (use AUTO and only adjust the temp).

What's wrong with the recirculate setting? I normally set it auto, but the air pollution in this Asian city is so bad that I have to use the recirculation setting most of the time.

 

[Mark_888]

What's wrong with the recirculate setting? I normally set it auto, but the air pollution in this Asian city is so bad that I have to use the recirculation setting most of the time.

First, if you are living in an Asian city, you probably should let us know when posting because your version of the Genesis is probably not the same as the US version. There may not be any difference regarding the A/C, but there could be.

Using recirculating air traps moisture inside the ducts of the A/C and causes mold or mildew. If you live in a highly polluted city, I don't know what to tell you. I would carefully read your owner's manual (not the same as the US owner's manual) to make sure you are aware of all HVAC options and controls.

 

[Rick Shin]

First, if you are living in an Asian city, you probably should let us know when posting because your version of the Genesis is probably not the same as the US version. There may not be any difference regarding the A/C, but there could be.

My Genesis 2015 was purchased in the states (and subsequently shipped when I was relocated). That's why I didn't make any mention of that.

 

[Mark_888]

My Genesis 2015 was purchased in the states (and subsequently shipped when I was relocated). That's why I didn't make any mention of that.

Hell of a moving policy. Is that US military?

 

[Rick Shin]

Hell of a moving policy. Is that US military?

Nah. I paid for it.

But it's not as expensive as you might think, and -- GET THIS -- the shipping more than pays for itself, because a new Genesis in this home country of Hyundai costs far more than in the states.

 

[Mark_888]

Nah. I paid for it.

But it's not as expensive as you might think, and -- GET THIS -- the shipping more than pays for itself, because a new Genesis in this home country of Hyundai costs far more than in the states.

Yes, I recall that in 2009, people were buying a Genesis in the US and importing back to Korea. The US version was $17K cheaper.

 

[magicsquid]

In the future, I would make sure to not use recirculate setting on your A/C (use AUTO and only adjust the temp).

While I understand that not using this function may help with this particular issue, it is crazy that people are willing to accept this as a solution in a brand new car. If this is a known and frequent problem then it's an issue with the car design that needs to be fixed and Hyundai should fix it. It's not an owners problem for using a function that I've been able to use on everyone other car I've ever owned without having any similar problems.

 

[tjoseph]

I have found that if you spray Lysol Disinfectant Spray in the intake just below the glove box while the AC is on Recirculate/High fan speed just before shutting the car off at night, this resolves the problem after a few applications. I leave a can on the workbench and spray it and the second I can smell it, power the car off.

This would be even more effective with the cabin filter removed but the filter has noting to do with the resolution of this problem.

BG Services Frigi-Clean and Frigi-Fresh are also great products for this.
https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/climate-control/

 

[Nikgen]

While I understand that not using this function may help with this particular issue, it is crazy that people are willing to accept this as a solution in a brand new car. If this is a known and frequent problem then it's an issue with the car design that needs to be fixed and Hyundai should fix it. It's not an owners problem for using a function that I've been able to use on everyone other car I've ever owned without having any similar problems.

Agree - I've had this issue and normally just have the AC on auto, so not sure if that uses recirculate or not? In any even this is a design issue - unfortunately, not sure if it's easily fixable. Just got mine back from the dealer and they noted that "deodorized" and applied anti-mold/mildew agent (forget the exact wording). Now it doesn't smell as bad, but still smells a little off at start up!

 

[srobak]

If it is like my 11 Azera - AUTO will recirc to cool the car down, then switch to fresh. That being said - I also have the smell problem for a couple moments after starting the car. Gonna have to try some of these tricks to fix the issue. Thanks