Air conditioner smell

[steeleco]

On our recently purchased 03 Boxster, I noticed when you first turn on the air conditioner as real musty smell comes out. It does not seem to do it if you have it on recirculate. Anybody got any ideas what may cause this.
Thanks.

[blinkwatt]

You may want to swap out the cabin filter. It's easy and cheap($15-35 depending on if you want the hyperallergenic charcoal filter);
-pop open front trunk
-remove access panel on the passenger side
-take out old cabin filter
-installation is reverse

[steeleco]

Thanks for the tip.

[deliriousga]

You want the charcoal filter if you're getting musty smells. The regular one won't cut out smells, just dust.

Sounds like a mold issue, too. Make sure your AC drain tube is not blocked-up.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

It probably is an issue with Mold, especially in Florida. The Charcoal Filter is overkill on a convertible - not worth the money unless the Top is up 90%+ of the time.

Check drain tubes as has been suggested and also recommend using an anti-mold/mildew spray such as: http://www.healthgoods.com/Shopping/Allergen_Control_Products/Allersearch_ADMS.asp or http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=80724&catid=22978&aid=335972&aparam=mite_nix_organic_anti_all . Remove Filter, start car andf run AC Unit and Fan. Liberally Spray either cleaner into the intake. Suggest respraying every week until smell is gone. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Rodger]

I had an issue with the holdy smell even after replacing my cabin filter. To correct the problem, I purchased a disinfectant spray (lysol, etc.), removed the cabin filter, lowered the top (for maximum ventilation), set the blower speed on high, then sprayed the disinfectant into the hole below the cabin filter.

It effectively killed all the mold that had collected on the evaporator.