Moldy A/C?

[Greg B]

Sunday was the first warm day in a while and when the A/C came on, it smelled bad. It smells like an old musty basement. Is there a way to clean it? Is there a filter or something I need to clean out?

 

[DMX84]

There’s a post on filter replacement and during the replacement you can see one side of the coils. I imagine you can spray some type of disinfectant on it.
DMX

 

[SINCITY100]

Sunday was the first warm day in a while and when the A/C came on, it smelled bad. It smells like an old musty basement. Is there a way to clean it? Is there a filter or something I need to clean out?

Hi Greg

Check the cleanliness of the cabin air filters (2) behind the glovebox first, but it sounds like you are getting the typical "foul odor" that newer A/C systems give off under certain conditions.

It is usually due to a build-up of moisture (mildew) on the evaporator fins or other ducts behind the dash and there are several ways to rid the odor, but all are temporary however. Sometimes by merely running the fan on HIGH with FRESH air (not recirc) and the A/C button OFF for a minute or two before shutting the engine off will help a LOT.

Otherwise you can try some other methods including a Toyota dealer service that involves spraying a disenfectant directly on the evaporator (usually big $$)
or spraying Ly-Sol or ozium through the intake for the system up near the windshield....