Mold smell part 2

[Mizzle]

Originally Posted by forcedinduktion Yea mine has been doing this since day 1. I never really care too much as i might use the AC 2 or 3 times a year

You should run your AC once a month to prevent the seals in the compressor from drying out/rotting and leaking all the refrigerant out.

Originally Posted by another 6cms6 I make sure I turn the A/C off with the fan still on before I reach my destination. Since explaining this to my GF, she doesn't have mildewy-smells anymore.

Perfect way to dry out the system before parking.

[forcedinduktion]

I am aware that I SHOULD, but I still don't

[urville]

Do you smoke?

[fortressofcomfort]

Originally Posted by Mizzle Having said that, lemon law. If they can't fix it, they have to take it back.

Tell the Mazda dealer this. Tart up the story a bit; tell them you have already hired a lawyer and he is about to subpoena the car dealership.

I bet it gets fixed the next day.

As an aside, being the son of an HVAC mechanic, I am inclined to turn the a/c off completely (but leave the fan running) during the last couple minutes of any drive. This helps a) equalize the high and low side of the system, reducing leaks/wear/etc. , b) lower the temp of the condensor coil (which sits in front of the radiator) allowing the engine to cool more and more quickly, c) allows the evaporator coil to return to ambient air temperature, drying up all the moisture not only on the evaporator coil but in all the ductwork as well in the process, and d) makes sure the a/c is off the next time the car is started, reducing the start-up idle speed and emissions a bit.

Regarding the above, sure you should not have to do it but its worth a try. Its a good habit to get into and I personally swear by it. I've been doing it ever since I started driving (1992) and have never had a car leak refrigerant, smell moldy, or fail an a/c part ever. Could be dumb luck.

[doctavus]

Originally Posted by fortressofcomfort Tell the Mazda dealer this. Tart up the story a bit; tell them you have already hired a lawyer and he is about to subpoena the car dealership. I bet it gets fixed the next day. As an aside, being the son of an HVAC mechanic, I am inclined to turn the a/c off completely (but leave the fan running) during the last couple minutes of any drive. This helps a) equalize the high and low side of the system, reducing leaks/wear/etc. , b) lower the temp of the condensor coil (which sits in front of the radiator) allowing the engine to cool more and more quickly, c) allows the evaporator coil to return to ambient air temperature, drying up all the moisture not only on the evaporator coil but in all the ductwork as well in the process, and d) makes sure the a/c is off the next time the car is started, reducing the start-up idle speed and emissions a bit. Regarding the above, sure you should not have to do it but its worth a try. Its a good habit to get into and I personally swear by it. I've been doing it ever since I started driving (1992) and have never had a car leak refrigerant, smell moldy, or fail an a/c part ever. Could be dumb luck.

Wow, I didn't know it affected that much stuff turning it off before.

But I will say that every car I owned I did this as well, never ever had a problem.

I really used the Auto function of the A/C after I bought it, which left it on bullshit recirc the whole time. Which I bet didn't help.

[zmarko]

I have this same problem. I have 4k miles on mine and it's done it since day one. I didn't give it too much thought as I just thought it was a strange smell for the first 10 seconds after turning on the AC. Next time I use the AC and it does it, I'm going to take it in.