4. Identify the type of odor present in the vehicle. Do not proceed with A/C odor treatment if the odor source is found to be outside of the A/C system. Refer to the following list for examples.
Odor Source | Odor Description |
|---|---|
Chemical Odors | |
Coolant | Sweet smell |
Fuel | Gasoline or diesel fuel smell |
Oil | Oil type or burning smell |
Power Steering Fluid | Oil type or burning smell |
Transmission Fluid | Oil type or burning smell |
Washer Fluid | Alcohol type smell |
Gear Lube | Garlic/sulfur smell |
Refrigerant Oil | Ether type smell |
Carpet/trim Adhesives | Fishy, urine or sweet smell |
Evaporator Core Coating | Wet cement type smell |
Environmental Odors | |
Exhaust | Exhaust, fuel or burning type smell |
Industrial Pollutants | Various smells |
Dust | Musty, mildew or wet cement type smell |
Pollen | Sweet smell |
Tobacco | Burning, tar smell |
Human and Other Interior Generated Odors | |
Body Secretions | Body odor |
Perfuming Agents | Sweet or fragrance smell |
Clothing | Musty, mildew or body odors |
Food/Beverage | Sweet, musty, mildew or fishy smell |
Microbiological Odors | |
Microbiological Odors Occurring Inside of A/C System | Musty, mildew smell lasting about 30 seconds after A/C is turned on |
Microbiological Odors Occurring Outside of A/C System | Musty, mildew smell lasting indefinitely and possibly more pronounced when using recirculated air |
5. NOTE: Identify the source of the odor.
Check the evaporator core drain tube for restriction. Check the passenger and driver side carpet for moisture. If moisture is found, A/C odor treatment is not necessary. Diagnose for a water leak as needed. Check the cabin air filter and cabin air filter cover for moisture resulting from water bypassing the cowl baffling system. If moisture is found, A/C odor treatment is not necessary. Diagnose for a water leak as needed. Check the cowl top panel and air inlet screen for standing water or foreign material. If possible, remove any standing water and clean the air inlet screen using a wet/dry vacuum.
6. Open all vehicle windows and doors.
2016 Mustang workshop publication supplied to Mustang Atlas. Original technical text and illustrations; HTML formatting by Mustang Atlas. Source page numbering is retained for traceability. Follow the configuration, revision, warnings, and cross-references in the material. About this edition.