Enzymatic AC Treatment on CPO?

[Banzai Run]

I am considering buying a CPO 2018 GX460 - and I found a couple at a local dealership. They had 3 certified GX's available and I ran the vin through lexus owners for service history on each.

I noticed the one I am most interested in had listed an "Enzymatic AC treatment for odor removal and sterilization" as part of its pre-sale prep. The other two GX's did not have this treatment listed as part of the pre-sale prep.

Does anyone know what this treatment is? I am curious if this is something typically done to vehicles that have been smoked in?

Thanks

 

[ChiTown]

It's an aftermarket treatment, most of the time it does nothing.

 

[Banzai Run]

Ok - still kinda weird they performed the service on only 1 of the 3 low mileage resale vehicles they have in stock.

Guess I will go check it out and just be a little more thorough when I inspect to see if there are any signs of smoking in the interior.

 

[r2m]

Ok - still kinda weird they performed the service on only 1 of the 3 low mileage resale vehicles they have in stock.

Guess I will go check it out and just be a little more thorough when I inspect to see if there are any signs of smoking in the interior.

Not sure if I'd work or not, but when you are looking over that one GX, maybe pat the headliner around the front seats with the flat of your hand.
If there was a smoker, you may pat out some odor. Kind of like patting an old pillow and watching all the dust come out.
Also, look for any yellowing stains in the headliner.
AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE COVID-19. YOU'LL HAVE LOST YOUR SENSE OF SMELL!!

 

[Banzai Run]

Not sure if I'd work or not, but when you are looking over that one GX, maybe pat the headliner around the front seats with the flat of your hand.
If there was a smoker, you may pat out some odor. Kind of like patting an old pillow and watching all the dust come out.
Also, look for any yellowing stains in the headliner.
AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE COVID-19. YOU'LL HAVE LOST YOUR SENSE OF SMELL!!

Good tips - any yellowing and the dust patting should be a good indicator.

Pretty sure no covid smell loss here - I just finished doing laundry and my sons socks almost made me pass out they stunk so bad!

 

[jmanscotch]

It could've possibly been for a smokers vehicle, but the specific "AC" callout made me thing of something else. Several late model Toyotas I've had (owned, rented, family, etc) can often develop a HVAC system smell that reminds me and the wife of cat urine. Internet seems to tell it's not a completely uncommon thing that happens with certain designs on the AC system in these vehicles.

I forget the details exactly, but it was effectively something like the AC condenser wouldn't dry/drain (unless you turned off the AC a few miles from parking it at home) and the result was funk smelling up the AC vents next time you ran the car. Fix was described as temporary, as it was a condition fix not a cause fix, but lysol in the vents and a cleaner on the condenser (or something) would kill mold/mildew for a while.

Anyways, not that it's a better alternative to smoke, but wanted to share it as a potential issue if it's not clear whether it's a smoke issue or AC issue since the cleaning service noted "AC Treatment" specifically.

Could probably find out a lot more with a google search of "Toyota cat piss AC smell", sorry I won't do it for you, I don't wanna relive that again

 

[Banzai Run]

Interesting - I had heard of that issue but never thought it might be that. Good to know. I may pass anyways as I am not liking the trade in amount they offered. All indicators seem to imply used cars are red hot yet they can't even hit the low range of KBB.

 

[Acrad]

There is probably a newer version of this TSB to include latter years

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10132902-9999.pdf