Smell from vents

sx460 · June 25, 2006

Hi there guys,

I've got a '99 Silverado, 5.3, 2wd, ext cab, 52K miles. The last few weeks or so I've been noticing a smell coming from the vents when I initially turn on the air. It smells like urine and is especially ripe with the a/c on and hasn't quite cooled down yet and is blowing warm air. Then once it's been on for a while and finally cooled down the smell is gone. But it comes back every time the truck has been off for a while and had a chance to warm up. Any ideas on what it could be and how I might go about cleaning/removing the smell. Thanks!

Mark_in_Tulsa · June 25, 2006

Hi there guys,

I've got a '99 Silverado, 5.3, 2wd, ext cab, 52K miles. The last few weeks or so I've been noticing a smell coming from the vents when I initially turn on the air. It smells like urine and is especially ripe with the a/c on and hasn't quite cooled down yet and is blowing warm air. Then once it's been on for a while and finally cooled down the smell is gone. But it comes back every time the truck has been off for a while and had a chance to warm up. Any ideas on what it could be and how I might go about cleaning/removing the smell. Thanks!

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Have you changed your in cabin air filters? First place I would look.

Mr. Smith · June 25, 2006

Hi there guys,

I've got a '99 Silverado, 5.3, 2wd, ext cab, 52K miles. The last few weeks or so I've been noticing a smell coming from the vents when I initially turn on the air. It smells like urine and is especially ripe with the a/c on and hasn't quite cooled down yet and is blowing warm air. Then once it's been on for a while and finally cooled down the smell is gone. But it comes back every time the truck has been off for a while and had a chance to warm up. Any ideas on what it could be and how I might go about cleaning/removing the smell. Thanks!

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Sounds like it is mold in the air conditioner evaporator/housing. There is crap that you can spray on/in the above parts to correct that. I would also check the truck to make sure it is draining the moisture out and not letting it collect. Another thing that you can do is prior to shutting off the truck run the fan on hi with the air conditioner compressor off to help dry up any remaining moisture.

Shoot2Thrill · June 25, 2006

I had a heater coil go bad on my Ranger that caused a similar smell. Eventually it started blowing dust from the vents. I replaced the coil and everything went back to normal. I am not a mechanic, I just thought I would share my experience with a similar issue. -Shoot2Thrill

Hi there guys,

I've got a '99 Silverado, 5.3, 2wd, ext cab, 52K miles. The last few weeks or so I've been noticing a smell coming from the vents when I initially turn on the air. It smells like urine and is especially ripe with the a/c on and hasn't quite cooled down yet and is blowing warm air. Then once it's been on for a while and finally cooled down the smell is gone. But it comes back every time the truck has been off for a while and had a chance to warm up. Any ideas on what it could be and how I might go about cleaning/removing the smell. Thanks!

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sx460 · June 26, 2006

Hi there guys,

I've got a '99 Silverado, 5.3, 2wd, ext cab, 52K miles. The last few weeks or so I've been noticing a smell coming from the vents when I initially turn on the air. It smells like urine and is especially ripe with the a/c on and hasn't quite cooled down yet and is blowing warm air. Then once it's been on for a while and finally cooled down the smell is gone. But it comes back every time the truck has been off for a while and had a chance to warm up. Any ideas on what it could be and how I might go about cleaning/removing the smell. Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds like it is mold in the air conditioner evaporator/housing. There is crap that you can spray on/in the above parts to correct that. I would also check the truck to make sure it is draining the moisture out and not letting it collect. Another thing that you can do is prior to shutting off the truck run the fan on hi with the air conditioner compressor off to help dry up any remaining moisture.

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Thanks for the replies. How can I check to see if it is dispensing of the water OK?

Mr. Smith · June 26, 2006

Hi there guys,

I've got a '99 Silverado, 5.3, 2wd, ext cab, 52K miles. The last few weeks or so I've been noticing a smell coming from the vents when I initially turn on the air. It smells like urine and is especially ripe with the a/c on and hasn't quite cooled down yet and is blowing warm air. Then once it's been on for a while and finally cooled down the smell is gone. But it comes back every time the truck has been off for a while and had a chance to warm up. Any ideas on what it could be and how I might go about cleaning/removing the smell. Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds like it is mold in the air conditioner evaporator/housing. There is crap that you can spray on/in the above parts to correct that. I would also check the truck to make sure it is draining the moisture out and not letting it collect. Another thing that you can do is prior to shutting off the truck run the fan on hi with the air conditioner compressor off to help dry up any remaining moisture.

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Thanks for the replies. How can I check to see if it is dispensing of the water OK?

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Below the heater hoses is a drain. With the air conditioner running there should be water draining out of it. You could use a small piece of wire up that hole to make sure it is clear.

2kwolfgang · June 26, 2006

Sounds like condenstion in the air conditioner. You can avoid this in the future if you turn off the A/C a few minutes before you reach your destination and just run the fan on high. This will help remove moisture from the system so you don't get a nasty build-up.

Mr. Smith · June 27, 2006

Sounds like condenstion in the air conditioner. You can avoid this in the future if you turn off the A/C a few minutes before you reach your destination and just run the fan on high. This will help remove moisture from the system so you don't get a nasty build-up.

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I beat you to that suggestion...

sx460 · June 27, 2006

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys, much appreciated.

2kwolfgang · June 27, 2006

Sounds like condenstion in the air conditioner. You can avoid this in the future if you turn off the A/C a few minutes before you reach your destination and just run the fan on high. This will help remove moisture from the system so you don't get a nasty build-up.

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I beat you to that suggestion...

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d**n!