Vinegar-like smell

[Matthew Hoover]

2018 Expy. I note a brief but strong vinegar smell coming from the AC when I start up on a warm day. I thought it was just me but other passengers have noticed it as well.
The smell is not related to cleaning products- it’s been a while since it’s had a bath, especially on the inside.
Anyone else notice a similar smell?

 

[scottdm]

Perhaps you have mold, etc growing in your A/C ducts. Houston does have VERY high humidity in the summer, so maybe that's when something started growing. You should be able to purchase disinfectant spray that you spray into your vents to take care of the issue.

 

[2018expyXLT4wd]

Acetic acid. First thing would be to check the cabin air filter
https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2018_Ford_Expedition_Max_XLT_3.5L_V6_Turbo/air_filter_cabin/check

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

Thanks for the link. It would have been a real head-scratcher trying to figure this out on the fly.

 

[aggiegrad05]

My vents smell awful. Any ideas? I try to drive it every couple days or so but I assume it’s related to the increased downtime. Should I be worried a drain tube is suddenly plugged up somewhere?

My cabin air filter was just changed a couple months ago.

 

[AAOO]

Wash your feet bro!

 

[Soliyou]

My vents smell awful. Any ideas? I try to drive it every couple days or so but I assume it’s related to the increased downtime. Should I be worried a drain tube is suddenly plugged up somewhere?

My cabin air filter was just changed a couple months ago.

I noticed that some air fresheners result in a very bad smell out of the vents.

It also helps to turn off the AC and keep it on fan only for couple of minutes before reaching your destination.

 

[AAOO]

What about putting it on recirculate just before shutting it off? This way there are no open vents to the outside air. Not sure if this is how the system works but maybe worth a try.

 

[aggiegrad05]

I noticed that some air fresheners result in a very bad smell out of the vents.

It also helps to turn off the AC and keep it on fan only for couple of minutes before reaching your destination.

No air fresheners.

I feel like it has to be the downtime, the AC runs for 8 minutes while I run to the grocery store and then sits for three days. Then we do it all over again. I’ll just deal with it until life is back to normal and then see how it does.

 

[Bobmc]

You might consider an ozone generator. Here's a detailing forum discussion about using one for cigarette odor...

http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/25619-using-an-ozone-generator/