Smells from heater/Airconditioning may be?

[cmmwiebe]

First line on this for us was to check to see if the fresh air intake filter is missing. 99 we bought had a bad** smell and my wife took it in and the tech found a mouse nest in the cavity because the filter was gone! It's (filter) under the grill in front of the windshield.

Clayton

[Huney1]

http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/news...8-001-0306.pdf

[shorod]

Originally Posted by cmmwiebe

First line on this for us was to check to see if the fresh air intake filter is missing. 99 we bought had a bad** smell and my wife took it in and the tech found a mouse nest in the cavity because the filter was gone! It's (filter) under the grill in front of the windshield.

Clayton

Is this a question or a tip for others? Do you have a smell in the HVAC system, and if so, what year is the Taurus you are asking about? Or were you stating that you have a '99 Taurus that had a smell and the mouse house was found?

-Rod

[reekor]

I think that he said that his wife had a smell since 99.

Originally Posted by shorod

Is this a question or a tip for others? Do you have a smell in the HVAC system, and if so, what year is the Taurus you are asking about? Or were you stating that you have a '99 Taurus that had a smell and the mouse house was found?

-Rod

[cmmwiebe]

This is a 99 Taurus. This is a tip as I see several people posting about smells. One option to check for sure.

Another thing which I think can happen is the handy packs from fast food joints can slip into the vents from time to time.

Clayton

[shorod]

Originally Posted by cmmwiebe

This is a 99 Taurus. This is a tip as I see several people posting about smells. One option to check for sure.

Another thing which I think can happen is the handy packs from fast food joints can slip into the vents from time to time.

Clayton

I've also seen in some of the older GM cars where the intake for the recirculating HVAC was near the top of the closed glove box. The owners would go through a fast food drivethru and stuff the 20 extra napkins in the glove box. A few hot days later, they'd have this horrible noise when they turned the A/C on. The intake would suck up a couple of the napkins from the glovebox and when they hit the squirrel cage, it would sound about like the old playing card in bicycle spokes.

-Rod

[Millermagic]

A little late for this topic, but the smell is caused by leaving the HVAC system in the off position, when you turn your car off put it to like feet or something and it won't do it.

But, to stop the smell, pop off the right side of the cowl, remove the cabin air filter. Then turn the ignition on (don't have to start the car), put the blower on high (feet and face work best) and spray lysol into where the cabin air filter should be. Works wonders for mine.

[Huney1]

When you leave it parked leave the air control on outside air intake VENT and it will let the car breathe. Otherwise in any other position the vent door is closed and the car has no outside source of air. I think it's the first knob position to the left of OFF, A/C or heater outside air intake, not recirculate.

"But, to stop the smell, pop off the right side of the cowl, remove the cabin air filter." Wow, I didn't know it had a cabin filter. Lem'me go look 'cause after 3 years mine might be nasty. OH! I saw where a guy took one of those micro filters he bought at WalMart for home AC unit and cut it to fit and used in a Venture van and it worked perfect and whole heck of a lot cheaper to. They now carry a super micro filter for like two bucks, got one in my AC unit now and works real good.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by Millermagic

A little late for this topic, but the smell is caused by leaving the HVAC system in the off position, when you turn your car off put it to like feet or something and it won't do it.

Interesting. I would have guessed that the smell was due to the rotting mouse carcass.

[Huney1]

Please excuse while I show my ignorance, but I checked my 03 owners manual and find nada concerning a cabin air filter. I popped out the panel on the far right of the dash and found just a hole about big as a golf ball. What with my bad sinus and dusty conditions here a cabin filter would be a good thing and if I have one I'd shore like to know whar abouts she be hidin'.

OH! By the way Rod, you bad. ;-} This wuz good and gave me a good chuckle.
'Interesting. I would have guessed that the smell was due to the rotting mouse carcass.' If it were me, I believe I would have taken issue with the fragrant aroma before I consumated the deal and threw down for the car. My profession takes me into, . . . shall we say, not the most sanitary conditions, but over the years my stomach has turned to cast iron. However. I know from first hand experience decaying rodents produce an aroma second to none and I never got use to that smell. WOO-HOO! And being circulated around the cabin by a fan with the windows closed? Bring me another beer and open the windows PULLEEZE!

[shorod]

Glad I was able to add some humor to your day.

As for the cabin filter, the cabin filter would likely be located in a compartment on the passenger side, at the base of the windshield. You'll need to open the hood, remove the clips that hold the flat black plastic in place, and the filter should be under the plastic cover.

You could also attempt to purchase the filter from your favorite auto parts store. Usually the box will come with instructions on how to replace the filter, and usually the direction are somewhat specific to the application.

-Rod

[Huney1]

I Googled 'cabin filter 2003 ford taurus' and got a bunch of hits. Bosch ACC Cabin Filter Ford Taurus SES ACC Cabin Filter 01/2001 - 12/2005,Vehicles made up to 12/2005. $9.95 plus shipping. So, now we know it has one and soon as it makes day clean I'll take a look see. As usual, someone here always comes through and certainly do 'preciate the help.

I looked the manual over good and found no reference to it and it makes me wonder how many are cruising around with a dirty filter with mold, mildew and gosh knows what growing on it. Plus a dirty filter restricts the air flow and hinders the efficacy of the HVAC system. Must say, they did a great job on the AC in my Taurus because when it's 100F I get in and put the AC on wide open and in ten minutes I reach for the fan speed to turn it down.

Are Dirty Cabin Air Filters Preventing You From Breathing Easily in Your Car?
During the hot summer months, contaminants, such as pollen, dust, mold spores and smog, can easily enter a vehicle's passenger compartment through the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, making the air in the car six times dirtier than the air outside, cautions the Car Care Council.
Motorists can protect themselves and their passengers from these containments by replacing the vehicle's cabin air filter annually or more often in areas with heavy containments, or whenever heating or cooling efficiency is reduced. Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens - especially beneficial to people who suffer from allergies.
If your vehicle is model year 2000 or newer, there's a good chance it is equipped with a cabin air filter.
"There are about 30 million vehicles in North America that currently have cabin air filters," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "However, most people have never heard of a cabin air filter or don't know if their vehicle is equipped with one. Vehicle owners should refer to their owners' manuals for this information."
If the cabin air filter is not replaced, it can cause musty odors in the vehicle, and over time, the heater and air conditioner may become damaged by corrosion.

*A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can also cause containments to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car compared to walking down the street.*

[mwt878991]

The cabin filter started on the Taurus in 1996.

There have been several people report that starting in the 1999 version the cabin filter was not there. Kind of a hit and miss as most of them do have it.

This was true in the 1999 I purchased used.
I don't know if they got clogged and people just pulled them out without replacing or Ford actually left them out.

It is setup to have one but a lot of them didnt get the filter.

You just need to buy the correct filter and put it in.

One other option is to clean the dirty one out with soap and water and let it dry.

I also spray the duct with lots of Lysol then spray the filter itself down with Fabreeze before reinstallation.


Mike

[TomV]

I have a 97 G and it does not have the cabin filter.

[mwt878991]

Originally Posted by TomV

I have a 97 G and it does not have the cabin filter.

You should be able to purchase the filter and mount it pretty easily.

Just need to take the cowling off then there are two screws that hold a cover on.

Pt the filter in, put the cover back on then the cowling.


Mike