Anyone know what causes this problem...?

When I turn on my A/C there is a stink smell (stagnent water smell).

This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time it wasn't as bad then I took it to Waipahu Subaru and the said they flushed my A/C system.

Please help...

Jon

 

I had that. When it was new. Does it smell like someone pissed in your ac vents? I havent smelt it since that time. NE one else?

 

Yeah... I guess that's one way to discribe it.. Well it's back again after they flushed my system...

Damn I really need my A/C

Ed if your viewing this post please provide some tech knowledge it would be very appreciated!

Jon

on another note.. I have this other problem with my car. since the day i got it I NEVER saw the low fuel indicator go on even when i have less than 1 gallon left. My understanding is that we have a 13 gallon tank... Today I just filled up 12.75 gallons of gas without ever seeing a low fuel indicator lamp. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Jon, I have that smell once in a while. Have you tried tinkering and testing the venting system? Everytime I have that problem, I switch to draw fresh air for a few minutes then go back to recirculation. Usually its when I draw fresh air that I have that smell though.

Again, I think we talked about the mileage indicator. It could be something with our auto's since I have never heard anyone with a 5smt mention it. I have only seen that light once. Yesterday I drove it to the E line, and still ran ok with no low fuel light yet. Yet, the only time I had it ever was when it was still 1/4 tank left.

 

Thanks... But I tried that.. Also when i first brought my car into Schuman they suggested that after running my A/C for a while before I turn off the car run the A/C on the heater side and that can get rid of the problem. I tried that works for a little while then the smell comes back. Wasn't this bad before though.

I also tried doing as you said switching to the outside air... Same problem.

Oh in regards to the Low Fuel Indicator lamp... I've NEVER gotten one! your lucky you get one. Since I've never received one before I try to make sure once I hit 1/4 tank I fill up...

Does anyone know about these problems that can lend a hand?

Jon

 

The smell is mildew forming on your evaporator (cooling coils). You should run the car with the A/C off, fan on high and the windows down a bit on FRESH not Recirc before you shut it off. You should do this for at least 5 minutes or until the air stops getting more humid than the outside air.

This is why it happens:
When you run the A/C the cooling coils get a large buildup of condensate on them. Just like a glass of ice water or a cold can of beer. If you don't get rid of the excess moisture on the coils, mold and mildew will form. When the car is off it's a humid, low flow, warm area of the car. That's ideal conditions for mold and mildew.

Turning off the a/c lets the coils warm back up to outside temp (over time) and running the fan helps dry off the coils. Dry coils won't produce mold and mildew.

 

Before, when I was trying to figure out how much toluene or race gas to add to my fuel, I looked it up. The tank has a capacity of 15.9 g. My light comes on religiously when I hit 13.9-14 gal. It just did it again tonight. Everytime my fuel light comes on, I don't travel any further than 3-5 mi. before I get to a gas station. The fuel pump always says 13.9 or 14 gallons is what I put in the tank.

Pat