Airconditioner Smells

[jetskiscott2]

I have a 2004 Elantra. I've noticed over the last several months that the airconditioner has a strange odor. Does the Elantra have a cabin filter that needs to be replaced or does the AC unit need to be serviced?

[KeWLKaT]

Yes you have a cabin filter you can change, right behind the glove box.

[Pete03GLS]

elantras do have a cabin filter... and i think... generally they didnt come with one installed, its behind the glove box.

however, i kno nothing bout the AC units.

[ricerrx7]

You most likely don't have a filter from the factory. It wouldn't be a bad idea to put one in. As far as the smell, I'm assuming that it's a musty/moldy smell? That would be bacteria/mold in the evaporator. You need a deodorizing kit. You can try calling autozone or local dealers to see what they have. The one that we use at BMW uses a special machine to vaporize the chemical, so that wouldn't work for you. But the kit I used at GM just got sprayed into the HVAC inlet, so that would be more like what you need. I would also check the hvac housing drains to make sure they're not plugged up.

[mlumz]

you could also try running the heater for a bit to make sure everything in your vents is dried up and it may also kill anything growing in there.

Mine smells on occasion (from the moisture in the summer), I just let the fan run to air it out and I added a filter which helps but doesn't remove it totally.

[jetskiscott2]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll buy a filter and also have the dealer service the AC unit.

[4mynikka]

Do the 02's come with the cabin filter? Or least have a spot to install one?

[rusto85]

The spot for them is by the glove box. So open the glove box and see if there's for the filter there.

[2003GT]

My 03 does the same it has like a plasticy smell kinda like a new car smell but not. My 03 has a spot but no filter and for 50 dollars I will leave it the way it is. BOB

[jetskiscott2]

I've never had this problem with any of my previous cars because I always trade them in after 2 years. However, I like my Elantra so much that I've kept it 3+ years and it's the best car (for the value) I've ever owned. I bought it new for 9 grand. It is a manual transmission, but for 9 grand I'm not complaining. Sorry for being off (my own) topic :)

[xdforme22]

My 03 does the same it has like a plasticy smell kinda like a new car smell but not. My 03 has a spot but no filter and for 50 dollars I will leave it the way it is. BOB

You could check this out (Thought there was one here in our DIY too :( )
http://www.elantragtclub.com/elantra/id438.html

[exsailor]

You could check this out (Thought there was one here in our DIY too :( )
http://www.elantragtclub.com/elantra/id438.html

There is a DIY, under "Cabin Air Filter" :D

[Munky]

http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/caf.php

[Gman]

Cabin filter is going to little for this problem. Both of my XDs had this, just a little stinky for the first few seconds the air is on. You can try and spray Lysol down at the feet of the Pass side (air intake) it helped for a few.

[dmiller66]

Maybe it needs to start using deodorant

[jetskiscott2]

This is probably a stupid question, but would this issue be covered by my 5 yr 60,000 mile warranty?

[moonlite5hadow]

i get that lately now too cause i've been using the AC a lot here in SD. i just push the button that cycles it from the cabin. its colder and doesnt smell.

[ricerrx7]

This is probably a stupid question, but would this issue be covered by my 5 yr 60,000 mile warranty?

No. It's an environmental issue. Not covered.

[h8isgr8]

Cabin filter is going to little for this problem. Both of my XDs had this, just a little stinky for the first few seconds the air is on. You can try and spray Lysol down at the feet of the Pass side (air intake) it helped for a few.

The smell is mold/mildew growing in the evaporator box.
Lysol actually works very well, but you have to do it correctly.

Turn the AC on full and make sure the recirculation switch is OFF. Take the can of Lysol and spray lots of it into the fresh air intake located at the bottom of the front windshield. If it's really bad let it run for awhile and then spray it again.

[doji_nj]

I had the issue too when I bought my used Elantra. It was a sweet smell and initially I thought it was a busted heater core. But there was no leaking coolant in the passenger compartment so I ruled that out.

Later found out there was no cabin air filter installed. Installing one picked up from eBay really helped and it took a full winter of getting smelly hot air before the problem literally 'evaporated' itself.

The next time I changed the air filter after 15K miles, I appreciated the role it plays, especially capturing all that junk that falls through to the fan.

[megarave]

Im getting the same problem too on my 08 elantra. 3 month old and Im getting this odor.

interesting thing is, I just found out the dealer where I bought it fr has such bad after sales service. Sighs...

[gnwhite]

This may sound crazy buuut, this is a common problem on sone toyotas. I had a 05 tundra and at this time have an yota fj. What has worked for me and many others is to make sure the car is not on recirc when its of and sitting. I know it sounds weird but it seems to let it vent out better and you get less condinsation and mold/smelly odor.
Hope that helps
Jerry

[Tommy]

ive noticed the elantra ac is a little funky too. i dont think it drains out moisture from the system as well as it maybe should. ive had luck turning the ac off a few moments before my arrival, and just running the fan. dries it out a bit.

[2003GT]

You are supposed to shut the AC off and let the system air out. Like Tommy said when you get close to the destination shut AC off turn fan on High and blow the system out. The Recirc on these cars suck. My dads truck stays ice cold when the ac is off and its on recirc.

[brandonhelmsxxx]

I have an 04 elantra that had the same problem. We have AC kits that have an evap cleaner and a vent cleaner. You spray the evap cleaner up the AC drain tube under the car, and you spray the vent cleaner into the fresh air intake vents infront of the windshield. Also adding a cabin air filter after cleaning the AC unit helped alot. I got the kit for free, we sell it for $100, but you could probably get it at autozone or advanced auto for cheap. The problem with the cabin air filter, however, is that most auto parts stores dont hold them in stock. In fact, I went to advance auto and autozone and they dont even have the part in record. You can get it at a hyundai dealership for about twenty bucks.