Air Conditioning Humidity/Smell when starting

[filer5000]

Yet another questions relating to my air conditioning system in my 2007 100 series LC.

Everytime I start my car or the AC gets turned on, I am hit with a temporary wave of really humid air and musty smell. This goes away after around 15 seconds. It does seem to be getting slightly worse and for slightly longer.

I am wondering if my AC drain is possibly clogged or if somethings wrong with my evaporator. It might also be completely normal.

Guidance is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[LSUfj]

I was just reading about a Toyota ac refresher kit a few days ago. It’s a foam you spray into the drain to clean the coil. You’d have to clear out a plugged drain first anyway, so that’s the first step.

 

[beks5150]

I was just reading about a Toyota ac refresher kit a few days ago. It’s a foam you spray into the drain to clean the coil. You’d have to clear out a plugged drain first anyway, so that’s the first step.

View attachment 3962769

I was just going to suggest this. Make sure to follow the directions from what I’ve heard. I too was just looking into this. I have the same problem. From what I’ve read Toyota and Lexus are notorious for this problem until about 2017. I’m just a girl who know nothing about mechanical things but I’m learning because I won’t give up my Land Cruiser.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

That’s usually from your evaporator core. If you’re able to service it that unwanted odor should disappear.
Open your cabin filter door to get a visual on the the condition of your evaporator fins, then service accordingly:

Combination of toothbrush, sprayer, funnel, hose and warm water to wash down dirt from the fins through the drain. I extended the drain using an 90° elbow fitting and clear hose you can get from local hardware store (this also help reroute that drain water from rusting your stabilizer bar bushing clamp and bolts-nuts).

Repeat process until drain water looks clear.
Replace (if needed) your cabin filters as well.

 

[baltistyle]

That’s usually from your evaporator core. If you’re able to service it that unwanted odor should disappear.
Open your cabin filter door to get a visual on the the condition of your evaporator fins, then service accordingly:
View attachment 3963337
View attachment 3963340
Combination of toothbrush, sprayer, funnel, hose and warm water to wash down dirt from the fins through the drain. I extended the drain using an 90° elbow fitting and clear hose you can get from local hardware store (this also help reroute that drain water from rusting your stabilizer bar bushing clamp and bolts-nuts).
View attachment 3963338
Repeat process until drain water looks clear.
Replace (if needed) your cabin filters as well.
View attachment 3963339

Yes, this is the way. I’ve even taken a garden hose right to the condenser in both of mine. Since the earlier vehicles didn’t have filters, it can be very dirty in there. Later vehicles with filters from the start are much cleaner. When cleaning my cores initially, I pulled off the whole front door and replaced the seal in that as well. The picture of leaves above are not an anomaly but a standard. Simple green or coil cleaner, a hose and making sure to install carbon filters will keep it fresh. I’ve never found these vehicles to keep the moldy smell (like a tight European vehicle) once they are cleaned because they have an auto function and don’t naturally default to recirc. Usually the cars that are worse, are very well sealed, and kept in recirculation mode all the time. These systems are not that sealed imo.