Cabin Filters, 30 year old smell...

[dmcerm]

So... we know our cars are 30 years old now, or almost, and when I turn on the A/C or heat it smells... like old car, like the air goes through some things that are old and have collected a lot of smells over the years.

Are there things like cabin filters or other A/C components that we can replace with NOS stuff to change this? I am generally OK with the smell given the age of the car, it comes with the territory, but I just thought I'd ask... new build D's or reconditioned ones I doubt smell like 30 year old cars...
I know there are things in the middle vents I can see open and close that are like foam things with a frame on them that open and close as I turn on the A/C and I can imagine those would hold some odors over the years...

Any suggestions, I'm sure will be helpful and maybe humorous! HA!
Thanks a lot!

Mark
16891

[Kenny_Z]

I sprinkle baking soda on the carpeting and let it sit for a few days (with no driving of course) and then vacuumed it up. That helped remove whatever odors were lingering. I don't like using air fresheners, partially because I never know what one I'm going to be allergic to next, and because they mask more than they eliminate.

[dmcerm]

Wow... good idea... I'll give that a try... is that enough or does that help with the smell of the air coming out of the air vents?
Thanks for a great tip!

[WelmoedJ]

If a mushy smell also comes from the air vents, it probably is debri from whatever fell into the A/C & heater housing.
Time to clean it up.
With a shop vac and a hose you may be able to partially clean the housing after removing the fan motor.

Otherwise it's time a a big job: remove console and houding and then open and clean the housing.
Not the kind of work I look forward to with joy.

[TYMCHSR]

If your system is left on recirculate when the car is shut off, all the moisture stays in the evap/heater box with out airing out , over time you can get a musty smell due to bacteria growth.

Usually if a musty smell is present, a general rule of thumb is, before turning the car off, turn the a/c off & put it on vent (fresh air) for a few minutes, when its back to ambient air, then turn the car off. This goes for all cars with a/c, it does help. They also sell a/c system deodorizer that can help get rid or reduce the smell.

[dmcerm]

Another nice tip, thanks... I assume those kits can be bought at a NAPA store or similar store?

[sdg3205]

Have you done the rodent hunt?

I've been working on my car for almost a year and STILL continue to come across new nests and carcasses in the car. No doubt they contribute to D-stank.

[dmcerm]

Awesome... "D-stank"... love it! HA!

[TTait]

Stink also comes from the carpet and padding.

For AC stink, there are foams that you can spray in that kill the stuff, but I have not tried them. Something like this: http://autodax.com/catalog/pdetail.php?prdid=40

[stevedmc]

I wish this guy was a Delorean mechanic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrVc_FXrbHY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgBQ5ILO_1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYKN3bypcT0