I'd consider this problem part of the maintenance category. When I turn on AC, it smells like dirty water. How can I maintain my AC from smelling like that? I have nearly 40,000 on my 02 wagon and I haven't change any sort of maintenance parts and such yet besides motor oil, oil filter ~ 3000 miles. Perhaps, I have to change some sort of ac filter? If so, how do I get to it? Any remarks? Thanks for all for reading, helping, and even thinking about the problem.

Kevin

 

I will have this weird smell come after I use the A/C and then just use the fan a few hours later. Its not a water smell. Its a weird smell, cant really explain it. I would call subaru and tell them your problem and see what they say.

 

i thought i was the only one that had that problem. well at least i ain't crazy. i told my friends about it and they looked at me weird. if you find out what's the problem let me know too.

 

it almost smells like mildew doesn't it? I have the same problem too usually when I have the AC running for a long time then shut of the AC and let the fan run...you can smell it. I'm not sure if the refrigerant in the piping causes some condensation somewhere in there. Since everything around it is warm...tubes with the AC refrigerant are cold they condense, moisture stores somewhere and then you smell that funk...well at least that's my theory.

 

well mines is when i just run the ac itself, not the fan. at first it's fine but after like about 5 mins it starts to smell. after that it comes and goes. it's pretty weird.

 

hey guys.. mine smells only with A/C with fan, its fine. i changed my cabin filter. if you're not sure whether you have it or not.. check the side of your door for stickers.. if you have a few stickers for filtration.. then you do have the filter and its time to change the filter.. my smell is pretty much gone after changing it. if you guys want pictures of it.. let me know!

 

yes please send me some pictures for i can also get rid of the smell. how much are for one of the filters?

 

I will post pictures tonight. Since the filter itself cost 39.95 or the alternative of 32.95 at subaruparts.com in additional to my OEM possed-self for buying it, I will measure and cut my own by buying an A/C filter from home depot.

 

i still haven't make any filter yet.. but i came across subaruxtras.com and they have filters for 30.90. best price i've seen so far. but i think i can still be that price if i custom make my own fyi

 

I used one that I made from a home depot hepa and it worked "ok," but it's hard to get it to fit snug like the suby one. I ended up tossing the home made one and put a new suby one in there so I didn't worry about it getting loose and hitting the fan!

 

hmm.. yeah.. gotta find the right material.. tho.. i think.. i'll give it a try when I have time.. if successful.. i'll let you guys know