09-03-2008, 06:59 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 379
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Smelly Air Conditioning
Guys, any ideas why my A/C smells moldy when I first turn it on? Is there something that needs to be cleaned?
-Steve
__________________
2001 Boxster S
Desnorkled
Pioneer Avic D3
JL Audio 6.5 inch subs (in the door)
Pyramid 4 channel amp
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09-03-2008, 07:21 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Where the Sewer Meets the Sea, CA. USA
Posts: 2,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chitowndad
Guys, any ideas why my A/C smells moldy when I first turn it on? Is there something that needs to be cleaned?
-Steve
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You need to replace your cabin filter, when it gets old, it stinks. Pop the hood and remove the cowl cover to the right/passenger side of the battery cover and you'll see it. One clip on the left of the filter needs to be uncliped by hand and then you can pull the old filter and pop in the new one.
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09-03-2008, 09:03 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Du Monde
Posts: 2,199
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A smelly AC is almost always due to water collecting in the system. Be sure your drains are clean. The water promotes the growth of mold and mildew.
Replacing the cabin filter is a start, but will not likely eliminate the smell already there. For this, it's recommended that you use an anti-mildew spray, sprayed directly into the car's ductwork. There are several of these products available such as: http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-klima-cleaner-air-freshener.html or http://www.allergystore.com/mold.htm. You can use Lysol, but this won't be as effective, will take longer (more applications to work) and you may not like the fragrance it leaves.
The way to prevent future mold and mildew is to switch off the compressor a few minutes before your destination and just run the fan, drawing in outside air to evaporate any moisture in the ductwork and the evaporator and to make sure your drain(s) are clean.
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09-04-2008, 03:38 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 379
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Thanks guys! My cabin filter is pretty dirty so I'll try that first.
-Steve
__________________
2001 Boxster S
Desnorkled
Pioneer Avic D3
JL Audio 6.5 inch subs (in the door)
Pyramid 4 channel amp
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09-04-2008, 05:55 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the garage...
Posts: 1,702
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aside from spraying a disinfectant into the duct work which is the back end of the real problem, you need to be concerned about mold/mildew growing in the evaporator (especially if drain has been plugged up).
There are 2 solutions to the root of the problem. One is a foam spray you use by forcing it up to the condenser thru the drain tube and let it work it's way in all the crevices and kill the mold/bacteria/etc. Not sure if they're Porsche approved but here are some examples of product you can usually pick up in a local parts store or at a dealer. Wurth I think makes a few variants too:
The other solution is simple....... with the engine fully warmed up, run the engine for 30-45 min w/ the heat set on max and make sure the A/C is on (snowflake lit up). Occasionally, rotate thru the various vent settings (to kill any mold/mildew around the blend door and or various ducts). It'll get more than 'toasty' so do this w/ the top down while driving some day. You may have to repeat this once or twice before the odor is gone completely and maybe once a year afterwards....
Good luck
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09-04-2008, 09:48 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 379
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Silly question but where is the drain tube located?
Thanks,
-Steve
__________________
2001 Boxster S
Desnorkled
Pioneer Avic D3
JL Audio 6.5 inch subs (in the door)
Pyramid 4 channel amp
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09-04-2008, 10:03 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Du Monde
Posts: 2,199
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chitowndad
Silly question but where is the drain tube located?
Thanks,
-Steve
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There actually several drains for the heating/ac system.
PM me with an email adress and I can send you a diagram.
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09-04-2008, 10:20 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the garage...
Posts: 1,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil bastard
There actually several drains for the heating/ac system.
PM me with an email adress and I can send you a diagram.
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I know there are numerous drains throughout the vehicle, but I thought there was only one drain for the HVAC system? LB, please send me the diagrams too? burgboxster (at) gmail d0t c0m
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Burg Boxster; 09-04-2008 at 10:29 AM.
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09-04-2008, 12:17 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the garage...
Posts: 1,702
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LB
Rec'd the email. Wow - quite a comprehensive file w/ all the drain diagrams! I haven't seen one so complete. Did you put it together?
If so, quite impressive!
Question... If I'm reading it correctly, the diagram shows only one drain (#4) for the AC/evap. Where are the others?
Thanks!
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09-04-2008, 12:59 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Du Monde
Posts: 2,199
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burg Boxster
LB
Rec'd the email. Wow - quite a comprehensive file w/ all the drain diagrams! I haven't seen one so complete. Did you put it together?
If so, quite impressive!
Question... If I'm reading it correctly, the diagram shows only one drain (#4) for the AC/evap. Where are the others?
Thanks!
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Can't atke credit for it, it's a compilation from the factory repair manual. If you look at #3 from the Water Drainage Plan, it too serves the ac/evaporator. Probably not as critical as #4, but still if it allows water to collect, there's your mildew problem.
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09-04-2008, 02:21 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the garage...
Posts: 1,702
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Thanks for the help on the add'l drains to check out.
Repair manual - really? I'm surprised to see the repair manual in Word or did you scan / cut and paste them into Word? Really is helpful.
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09-04-2008, 08:24 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Du Monde
Posts: 2,199
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burg Boxster
Thanks for the help on the add'l drains to check out.
Repair manual - really? I'm surprised to see the repair manual in Word or did you scan / cut and paste them into Word? Really is helpful.
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It's a cut & paste into Word. Not easy as you 1st have to print it to Microsoft Office Document Image Writer to circumvent the security in the document, and then send it to Word. This scrambles it somewhat and you have to do some reassembly.
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09-06-2008, 05:10 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 379
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Thanks LB, that's a really nice document. Any thought to attaching it to this thread?
Thanks again,
-Steve
__________________
2001 Boxster S
Desnorkled
Pioneer Avic D3
JL Audio 6.5 inch subs (in the door)
Pyramid 4 channel amp
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09-06-2008, 12:32 PM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Montreal
Posts: 502
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Hi, is this what you wanted?
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1997 Porsche Boxster manual
2018 Subaru WRX Sport Tech
2014 Honda CRV
2014 Mercedes Benz 350 ML
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray manual
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09-06-2008, 01:12 PM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 379
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Thanks - LB's diagram is a little more detailed but your diagram also works.
Thanks a ton guys - I have what I need to do some cleaning.
-Steve
__________________
2001 Boxster S
Desnorkled
Pioneer Avic D3
JL Audio 6.5 inch subs (in the door)
Pyramid 4 channel amp
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