My van puts a foul odor when the heat is directed thru the dash vents or defroster. It does not smell like antifreeze--more of a musty smell. Does this model have a cabin filter? I also read there might be a blockage in the drain tube. Any one know where that comes out under the vehicle? (Picture would be nice) Any help would be appreciated.

 

some model did have a cabin filter. It is in the passenger footwell if it does. The oder is usually caused by the evaperator coil getting musty. There are cleaners that can be applied to eliminate the smell.




The drain is on the left below the mounting stud.

 

Thanks for the reply Tiz. Now I know where to look for the drain. How do apply the cleaners. Do you come at the coil from inside the passenger compartment?

 

You can, you drop the glove box and remove the blower motor resistor and spray in from the opening onto the evap coil. Then run the heater to dry it.

 

I also seen dead rodents laying on the top on the heater box, and smell like the evap coil. If the spay doesn't work. You may want to remove the dash and inspect.

 

I've had an entire housing between the blower and the evap full of mouse nest crap. Pulled it out and removed the poor deceased family of mice. That was pretty funny, should have taken pictures.

 

Before you go and tear things apart, try this: Buy a can of LYSOL disinfectant spray, start car, turn heater on (make sure you are in outside air mode), turn blower on high and then start spraying the LYSOL into the air intake at base of windshield. If mold or mildew start growing in the system, the LYSOL will kill the spores and also end the BAD odor. Worked for me and in George Foreman's words "it ain't gonna cost a lot of money."

 

Thanks for the replies. I will try the Lysol thing before I go any further. Gotta wait for the ice to melt and the temp to come up some.