Can anyone tell me why my AC smells (Like dirty fish tank) when I turn it on? []

I have 2002 Dodge 1500 quad cab. 4.7 V8

 

You most likely have mildew in the vents. It's from running the a/c right up to the point of turning your motor off. The condensation causes the mildew and it's nasty. Here's the best way to cure it based on my experience. Shut the a/c off a few minutes before you get to your destination and let just the fan run and blow fresh air. It will help dry out the vents and you should lose the smell. I always shut mine off a couple of blocks from home or where ever I might be going. No smell.

 

Also, another good way to stop mildew etc is to put the ac on high heat for that last part of the journey.
Roll your windows down a little and let the heat dry all the vents and stuff out etc.
Al.

 

When I used to work at the dealership, the guy that worked on A/C would spray Lysol into the wiper cowl (where the fresh air comes in), and turn the A/C on. I think it worked for the most part. I'm thinking that there is an actual product for this issue. I guess you could search google for it. Mine has had a slight odor since I bought it, but its only on fresh air mode. If I turn the **** to "recirculation" then I never have any odor. I also like to keep the diesel truck exhaust out too. Good luck.

 

Ding Ding Ding. The winner is....LOL. Yea, this is the easiest way to remove the 'smell' of the mildew. The lysol works good, In the south I really dont have the option to ride the last couple blocks with my heat on in the summer time. The truck would stink for a different reason....

 

There are kits that you can buy that "inject" a foam cleaner into the blower housing. I can't think of the company tha makes it though. Most service shops offer it.

 

You can spray some simple green in there too. Works great.

 

Running fresh air thru your ducts before shutting it down simply puts warm, moist air onto cold ductwork. We all know what that causes, exactly what you're trying to prevent - unless you run it long enough to thoroughly warm and dry the ductwork, which would take some time. If you can put up with the heat, go ahead.

The Lysol would be a better idea.

 

Running just the fan pulls outside air through the ducts and dries them up. I do it every time with my a/c and have no stink. It doesn't cost any money and it works great.

 

Maybe where you live it works fine, but not everywhere. Here in south FL, the mold capitol of the US it would not work unless you ran it for a long time. So long it would be very uncomfortable.

Like I said, it is pretty much common sense. If you run warm, moist air over cold ductwork you get condensation. Further, the evaporator coil is WET. Moving warm air over a WET coil will make the air even more humid.

I'm a certified mold inspector and I know what I'm talking about here. Check out my web site if you don't believe me.

Peace bro.