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Musty Odor


poor01
05-25-2003, 08:59 PM
01 Blazer has a musty smell when parked. Goes away fairly quickly whn driving. Can not isolate it to dash vents. A/C condensate drain seems to be working well. Air fresheners don't cure the problem. I cannot isolate the source. Car is garage kept in northeast U.S. Any ideas on a cure? Is this covered by the "bumper to bumper warranty"? We had the car for 2 years (purchased from Chevy with 13000 mi.). It has not been in a flood nor left in the rain with the windows open etc. Any ideas?

Flatrater
05-27-2003, 08:07 PM
Your musty smell comes from mold or meldew! Only way to kill it is to use lysol on the mold. Mold will grow in the AC system usually only in the summer months when you use the AC system. If that is the case spray Lysol in the fresh air inlet. And 5 minutes before you shut off the truck turn the AC off letting the blower blow out the water vapor. Another place for mold to grow is from a water leak. If you smell the carpet you will be able to smell it. No way to remove the smell from the carpet usually. But since you said it is under warranty let the dealer take care of it. That's waht we get paid to do.

ChevyXtremeFX
05-28-2003, 04:53 PM
Here's another way, spray some Frigi-Fresh in the AC inlet under the glove box. Your local dealer should carry it.

Flatrater
05-29-2003, 10:13 PM
Frigi-Fresh is expensive Lysol! It does the same thing all you need is something that kills mold and mildew!

ChevyXtremeFX
05-30-2003, 08:27 AM
Yea it is. It's like $13 a can, but I like the smell of it better than Lysol and it seems to work fine. It lasts a good while. Now I've never tryed Lysol, so I'm not saying that doesn't work either. I'm sure it will get the job done just as good. :)

2000 jimmy
07-24-2003, 09:01 PM
re the odor in your 2001 blazer our 2000 jimmy started out with a slight odor in october and by this spring it was full blown you could smell it 30 ft away outside turns out the seams under the passenger side doors are spliting open allowing water to accumulate in the carpet padding no wet carpeting inside could not isolate smell this is a warranty defect general motors was asked to test the vehicle for the type of mold growing they refused to admit there was mold i have had the vehicle tested at my own expense and two species were found no one has driven this vehicle since may 2nd the dealer admitted to us july 18 he is unable to get the odor out general motors was notified before we were and he is still waiting to hear from them make sure you get the vehicle in before your warranty expires and since you have been been exposed to mold in a confined area you miight wish to consult with your physician good luck

cobra1
07-27-2003, 04:46 AM
Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit) #99-01-39-004A

Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit)
1993-2002 Passenger Cars

1993-2002 Light & Medium Duty Trucks

This bulletin is being revised to update the model years, service procedure, parts information and to add the GEO and Medium Duty models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-01-39-004 (Section 01 - HVAC).

Condition
Some customers may comment on odors emitted from the air conditioning system, primarily at start-up in hot humid climates.

Cause
This odor may be the result of microbial growth on the evaporator core. When the blower motor fan is turned on, the microbial growth may release an unpleasant, musty odor into the passenger compartment.

There are several other possible sources of a musty odor in a vehicle. A common source is a water leak. Follow the Service Manual procedure for identifying and correcting water leaks if other odor sources are found. The procedure contained in this bulletin is only applicable if the source of the odor has already been determined to be the HVAC module.

Correction
To remove odors of this type, it is necessary to eliminate the microbial growth and prevent its reoccurrence. To accomplish this, the following steps must be completed:

Apply evaporator core Cooling Coil Coating (Aerosol 6 oz), P/N 12377951 (AC DelcoŽ 15-102) (in Canada, use P/N 10953503) or Cooling Coil Coating Kit with Extension Nozzle, P/N 12346391 (AC DelcoŽ 10-120). Refills are available for the Cooling Coil Coating Kit with Extension Nozzle, P/N 12346391 (AC DelcoŽ 10-120). Refer to the chart below.
Install the Electronic Evaporator Dryer, P/N 12497910 (AC DelcoŽ 15-5876).

Important
The Cooling Coil Coatings listed above are the only GM approved products for the disinfection and long-term control of evaporator microbial growth.


The Cooling Coil Coating will disinfect the evaporator core and help inhibit the growth of future mold and mildew.

The Electronic Evaporator Dryer will activate when the ambient temperature near the module is above 16° C (60° F) when the vehicle is started up. Approximately 30 minutes after the vehicle has been turned off, the blower will activate for 10 seconds every 10 minutes for 2 hours unless the vehicle is restarted. If a restart occurs, the Electronic Evaporator Dryer module will reset automatically. This on/off blower activation will dry the evaporator core and case reducing the chance of reoccurring A/C odor. The Electronic Evaporator Dryer is self fused and has a battery rundown protection feature that inactivates the dryer if voltage drops below 12.5 volts.

Service Procedure
Visually inspect the air conditioning evaporator drain hose for obstructions and/or working condition.
The cooling coil coating fluid must be applied to a dry evaporator core. Apply coil coating fluid as described in the instructions supplied with the kit. In some instances, the blower motor resistor can be removed for this spraying operation. If used, the opening can be taped over and the nozzle inserted through a hole in the tape. The kit instructions identify a drilling procedure to apply the coating fluid. When using this type of procedure, care must be taken to avoid evaporator damage and any holes must be properly sealed. Some coating fluid may overflow from the drain hose.

Important
When installing the Electronic Evaporator Module, you MUST use the included electrical splice connectors to ensure a proper splice.


Complete detailed installation instructions and wire connectors are supplied with the Electronic Evaporator Dryer. The ground wire should be attached to a body ground source. If any other wire splicing procedures are needed, follow the wire repair procedures in the Electrical sub-section of Body & Accessories in the appropriate Service Manual. If required, the evaporator dryer can be installed underhood away from extreme heat conditions (i.e. exhaust manifolds) and/or water splash areas. In all cases, the evaporator dryer module must be secured with a VelcroŽ strip (not included in the kit), or you may use the integral hooks to utilize tie straps. Using a VelcroŽ strip is preferred as the use of the integral hooks may cause rattles.
When the installation procedure is complete and power is supplied, the module will self-test. Thirty seconds after power is supplied, the high blower speed will be activated 3 times (for 2 seconds per cycle). When the test has run, install the Electronic Evaporator Dryer label on the blower motor case in a visible area.

BullShifter
07-27-2003, 11:13 PM
Lysol, frigi-fresh, & air fresheners only cover smell for a short time. The is 1 way & 1 way only to completely remove odor from a vehicles interior.

1. Find the source
2. In unable to find the source, clean all surface.
Carpet extractor will come in handy
3. Protect all surfaces, with dressing(vinyl, rubber, plastic)
4. OZONE BLAST - most good detail shops offer ozone odor removal

ODOR REMOVAL (http://topoftheline.com/odors.html)

benstilwell
07-29-2003, 04:01 PM
I have a 1997 Blazer, and had the same problem - musty odor. I found that water was leaking through the seal between the rear brake light (on the top of the vehicle just above the rear door). Water had found its way through the seal in into my cargo space, causing mildew.

I simply applied foam sealent to the area between the seal and added tightened the screws as tight as possible (with loctite to prevent them from working back out). This cured the problem.

sadlerb_98
07-29-2003, 09:09 PM
Cobra1,

Thanks for your tip. The local dealership here is really great. They are going to install that fan kit under my warranty. Don't ask and don't tell I guess. But I will keep them in mind for my next truck for sure. They sure do know how to treat a customer.

thanks for the idea.

Bobby

Flatrater
07-29-2003, 09:36 PM
Originally posted by jackasssi
Lysol, frigi-fresh, & air fresheners only cover smell for a short time. The is 1 way & 1 way only to completely remove odor from a vehicles interior.

1. Find the source
2. In unable to find the source, clean all surface.
Carpet extractor will come in handy
3. Protect all surfaces, with dressing(vinyl, rubber, plastic)
4. OZONE BLAST - most good detail shops offer ozone odor removal



Isn't Ozone Blast just another air fresher? You need a good Biocide or a cleaner that kills mold!

BullShifter
07-29-2003, 11:45 PM
Originally posted by Flatrater



Isn't Ozone Blast just another air fresher? You need a good Biocide or a cleaner that kills mold!

Not even close. Ozone generators produce molecules that seek&destroy odor causing elements & neutralize them.

sadlerb_98
07-30-2003, 05:17 PM
I just had the service done to my A/C as per the thread cobra1 provided. It seems to be working fine. The dealership said there was a lot of mold in my system. I will keep you posted. Here is a pic of the module they installed.

Rob_0126
08-17-2003, 05:08 PM
As that we are on the subject of mold in evaporators, how do you get rid of mold in a mobile home evaporator?

Ive heard mold isn't good for you, and I want to make sure their isn't any.

thanks

Robert

therink
02-07-2004, 08:36 AM
I have the same problem in my 2000 4dr LT. Found that water was leaking through the floor at the front seat belt floor fittings. I havent fixed it yet, but sure does stink in the summer.

2000 jimmy
02-23-2004, 10:00 PM
general motors did a buy back on our jimmy in sept - the welds on the bottom seams of various general motors vehicles are opening up -
hopefully if your one of the lucky owners of these vehicles it will split open enough that you will see your carpeting is saturated with water -if not and its a small opening you will not know this is happening untill you smell the mold - fortunately for us our car was still under warranty

Rob_0126
02-24-2004, 09:27 AM
welds on bottom seams?

you mean the floor pan, or the area under the engine?

Robert

2000 jimmy
02-24-2004, 11:37 AM
it would have been the floor pan welds - the water in our vehicle was between the carpeting and floor pan - it was the padding that was saturated in the backseat passenger foot area and under the passenger front seat

Rob_0126
02-24-2004, 03:16 PM
wow, that sux.

Robert

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