My Toyota Tacoma A/C Smells!! Here's How to Get RID of it (easy + DIY)

[@carydagostino]

I've owned a few different models of Toyotas that have this problem. I had the odor return after a short time even after using the condenser system cleaner you used. I've solved the issue doing a few things: keep the recirculate off as much as possible, make sure to run just fresh air in the vent for a few minutes at end of trip to equalize the temperature in the system to ambient so you reduce the amount of condensation when you turn off vehicle and most importantly hook up a shop vac to where your cabin filter is located (I fit cardboard cover on cabin filter opening to get tight fit of shop vac for maximum suction) while mostly covering up the exterior intakes and have the vents open inside. There is accumulated gunk in there that the condenser cleaner will never get out. Using the shop vac and then keeping moisture out of system ongoing I've fixed the problem.

[@johndough1264]

Exactly they knew about it and didn’t fix it. Just had a frame recall on a newer truck and I had the same recall 12 years ago on a different Tacomaz

[@mutedxanime]

Could you make a video of how you use the shop vac? It would be really helpful

[@Harold_Callahan]

This is the best method. I haven't had any problem with Honda but maybe because I learned my lesson with a Camry I owned. Now I always let fresh air run for about 5 minutes after shutting off the AC. It has prevented all signs of mold or musty smells. It kind of sucks knowing you still have 5 minutes to drive in the heat, but it sure beats mold and mildew smells.

[@babycakes8434]

I don't understand what you did with the shop vac....???

[@jubidiah]

My taco came with the musty smell from the factory. At 10k miles I’m so stoked to watch this video.

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

Pro tip: Turn the syatem off a few minutes before you arrive at your destination. It gives everything a couple minutes to dry out before it sits parked and gets funky. 👍

[@ryoung6725]

I've heard that from others "in the know" too, so it must be true. My problem is remembering to do it.

[@scottgorman7166]

You bet! Leave the vent open for fresh air and fan on.

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

@@scottgorman7166 Actually you want to shut everything off: AC and fan. Running only the fan after having the AC on causes condensation issues in the ducts.

[@johnvang5581]

I do this 2 min before my destination and it's a night and day difference. No more stench when I first turn on the AC now.

[@Jackal436]

Actually the fan has to be running otherwise the moisture and humidity is trapped in the system. You don’t want that.

[@kamaboko1]

I don't own any Toyota cars/trucks, but still find your channel interesting.

[@SwordManiac84]

Hi Chloe, first off. Thank you for all your help and hard work. I’m new to the Tacoma world and you’ve been the GOAT since I’ve gotten it. Being a care enthusiast for Honda Civics, I can see you care and move carefully when explaining. I’m just here to say….Thank you Thank you Thank you, incase we (the ones who watch you) don’t say it enough

[@marchayes2943]

Someone has been watching the car care nut😊. Toyota master

[@kerrygibbs8198]

I got a new Tacoma about 2 months ago. You give a lot of good information and present it so that first timers can follow it. Thanks!

[@andytn6507]

What has always helped my AC vents to smell normal is after you run your AC either fresh air or recirculating air is when you park run your vent fan on high with AC off with fresh air for about 30 seconds with outside air and it will prevent moisture sitting in your vents.

[@oSnapMillerTime]

This is a bit ridiculous since NO OTHER CAR other than toyota you have to do this.

[@andytn6507]

@@oSnapMillerTime I don't have to do this I just do just in case it helps

[@lexijones8019]

@@oSnapMillerTimewe have a year old Chevy trail blazer and we have to do it.

[@ryoung6725]

I've seen this on some other sites, but yours is the first to actually show where the drain is supposed to be. I've had this smell in my Tacoma before, but not this year for some reason. Our last Camry had this same issue, I wish I knew then about how to clean it out. Thank you for all you do on here!! BTW, coupon at SparksPart took, but they don't ship to my area, Tucson AZ. Oh well.

[@Naut1188]

I have this problem. I intentionally run the AC without recirc (except when it's really hot out), and use a carbon air filter for the cabin. I never knew there was a kit for this. Thank you!

[@RecBuddha]

I have a 20 Tacoma and one of the first things I did, within a few weeks of getting it, was to put in a drain relocation tube on it, similar to what you showed. I also have noticed that funky musty smell sometimes when running the A/C and was always concerned where it was coming from. Also I recently figured out it was only when the recirculation was on, so it seems this video is confirmation of that! I thought maybe the drain relocation tube was plugged or causing it to backup in some way and that maybe was the cause. (Kind of) glad to know that isn't the issue and it is just common to not only Tacomas, but Toyotas and maybe even many other JP vehicles, based on comments here. (Though my wife's Corolla has never had this problem, so YMMV.) Definitely saving this video for future reference. I'll start with replacing my cabin filter and trying to remember to run it with the A/C off for a few minutes before turning the truck off. I am so used to just leaving it in "Auto" mode though, that will be hard to do. Thanks for the tips and other content on your channel!

[@nomar5158]

the evap core actually removes moisture,so recycle is better than fresh air that is very humid..

[@alfreddominguez2750]

Thanks for the tutorial. My Ram smells bad even after changing the filter which the dealer chose not to change since 2018. I guess I'll have to ask them to flush the coil if they ever figure out the battery drain and other problems it has. Lucky I got the extended warranty. Lot's of love from the 305 ❤

[@coastalcustomlure]

The CaliRaisedLED A/C drain relocate hose was the very first mod I made to my brand new 2022 TRD Sport. I previously had a Gen2 Tacoma with an extreme frame rot nightmare.

[@ClarkeSLR]

Hi Chloe, I am from Barbados. I don't have a Tacoma, I have Hilux and I find your videos very useful even though some are not applicable to my location. Nonetheless, keep up the great work. Cheers!

[@Wklambert]

Gonna go order two kits rn. My wife's car's AC has always been a lil funky. Not terrible, but juuust enough. And, of course, one for my Taco :) Thanks for this!

[@adquinta]

Better pro tip: instead of just turning the a/c off and leaving the fan on for a minute or two, turn the heater on or adjust to around 78° for a minute or two. The heater dries out the air more than just regular outside air. Works fantastic in humid areas.

[@zepp3lin]

Here's a tip, you don't pull it out straight away, you wait about 5 to 10 mins then you pull out the hose nozzle tip, same for the second spray. Let the chemical sit and soak the evaporator for a while and do the work. If you pull out straight away the chemical does not have a chance to dissolve or clean the dirt & mold from the evaporator. There's 1 more that I did to really have a fresh clean smell and extra cleaning of the evaporator. You use a normal foam A/C cleaner(Not Toyota brand) that you can get from those selling at mega mart for cheap. Spray it just after the blower, You have to go under the dash and open up the A/C blower resistor to do that and spray from the blower resistor hole. Use a towel to stop the foam from flowing out, then run the blower for a while like 5 to 10 mins to dry up the Evaporator. This way it's like you're rinsing the chemicals from the Toyota A/C refresher foam that contains chemicals. And don't throw the hose and nozzle away, you can use it for the next service if you like it or you want to save some dollars just use the normal A/C foam from any stores you can get and use the hose to facilitate it.

[@812Taco]

I had a mouse chew through the worthless plastic grill above the cabin air filter. The mouse had built a nest on the cabin filter and had babys... I didn't realize it until getting home from a trip. My blower motor made some noises and the smell was horrible. Basically the blower motor had chopped up some babys... The dealership did horrible job of cleaning it and replacing blower motor. So I used Clorox wipes and replaced motor. I also removed cowel panel under the wipers to investigate and ended up putting hardware cloth screen over the intake so they couldn't ever get back into cabin filter area. I've tried the Lysol in the intake to kill any bacteria but gonna also try what your showing in this video. I don't have the bad smell currently but sometimes it doesn't smell fresh..it's a 2019 Taco with 20k miles so thanks for making this video!

[@Lkom24]

Evacuate the system get some guages and vaccum the system out and fill her up with refrigerant and you're good togo

[@frankm7707]

The reason is the moisture inside the air ducts turning into mildew. In the last minute before arriving to your destination, turn off a/c, open the fresh air intake vent, turn up the fan and temperature to high heat. Let it run for 30 seconds and it will dry up the moisture in the ducts. It’s tough to do it in the summer but this works well

[@mauiboy96768]

PRO TIP: turn off a/c properly before shutting off vehicle, your a/c system will last longer, and you won't have as much moisture sitting.

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

Some good information on here. I ended up spraying a half of a big can of Lysol into my outside air intake and half into the inside air intakes (on recirculation) with the blower on high to suck it in onto the evaporator more effectively. Just be aware to have your car windows down and maybe a mask/safety glasses if you don’t enjoy inhaling Lysol. Works pretty good vs. a $35-40 kit from Toyota. Although I have heard you can get a similar kit from Subaru dealerships for less. So you could go that route as well.

[@oSnapMillerTime]

I tried this and it doesnt work. fing toyota man. 18K miles and the AC smells like Shh

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

@@oSnapMillerTime curious if you removed the cabin air filter before you did this?

[@oSnapMillerTime]

​@@SpicyMcGeezak I already replaced it. I cant find the drain line I have to take it into Toyota. I know it's somewhere on the passenger side but there is so much carpet and padding you can't just lift up the carpet.

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

@@oSnapMillerTime the drain should be underneath the car. If you have ramps or a jack and jack stands, you can raise up your car, run the ac for a bit and locate where the water is coming out of the drain line.

[@oSnapMillerTime]

@@SpicyMcGeezak I did this yesterday I don't see a drain line. I let the AC run for while and couldn't see any water coming out. I need to wait for the weather to get hot again. Toyota also a lot of plastic blocking the engine bay, but I did not see a drain line like in this video there is nothing which tells me the tube is above the underside somewhere.

[@rwill80]

Hey there! Just recently discovered your channel, and as a fellow Toyota fan, I saw this one in particular and will be picking up the refresh kit soon for my Prius. Love the Tacoma and hope I see you driving around someday (I work in the SD area!). Take care and thank you for all the awesome videos! Toyotas for the win! :)

[@udance4ever]

SD peeps unite! :) what year is yr Prius? I have a 2019 & noticing the funk too. lemme know how the refresh kit works out for you - guessing you're likely to get to it before me!

[@rwill80]

@@udance4ever I have yet a chance to grab one yet lol but I have a 2015, and while it doesn't have any odors, I'd like to use it more as a maintenance item rather than if I actually had any real issues.

[@luxmanmadapatha7976]

This is the best DIY a/c cleaning process for odors. Amazing and thank you!!! 😊

[@jimtalbott9535]

I have a 2004 Tacoma, the AC Fan knob fell off - I searched for that…..and here I am. Glad I landed here though, the AC in that truck is a bit funky smelling.

[@stevescamping]

Fresh air and fan on 5-10 mins(play with numbers) before arriving will help clear the condensation in the vents.

[@antoniovalisno3994]

The main reason for the car AC to have some funky smell is using wax based air freshener, use paper based fresheners like the tree. I made that mistake and made the AC smelled really bad. To get rid of that smell you have to run the AC with the recirculating mode on, lowest fan setting, and lowest temp on AC. This will made the condenser coils(coils inside the AC system that gives you cold air) sweat and sort of wash the coils, you have to do this when it is very humid. This works because I tried it.

[@pollxxv]

If you have an "auto" system in your Tacoma like I do, you should always be running it in auto. It helps maintain your system and keeps moisture and temperature under control.

[@RecBuddha]

I have the auto climate control system and basically leave it in that all the time on my 20 Tacoma, but I still get the musty smell sometimes when recirc is on.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

Thanks Chloe! I think some of these steps might be due on my 4Runner. I just replaced the cabin filter a few days ago and it was pretty embarrassingly dirty.

[@matthewholzinger1042]

I've seen articles that say to turn off the AC a few minutes before your arrival. But that can turn hot inside the vehicle very quickly. I found a block away is adequate.

[@RyanBurnsRed]

Yes the infamous Toyota/Lexus AC smell. In the manual for my RC350 it says to switch to outside air if you’ve been using it for awhile on recirc which it will be on for 99% of the time for efficiency. I just shut mine off since it switches to outside air anyway and it helps, but turning it off and driving with the windows down for about a mile before you get out the car will keep the smell from coming back

[@marshallosantos9035]

You couldn’t spell recirculating ?

[@halleffect1]

on some cars you can remove the blower motor(3 screws) and spray the cleaner where it needs to go, directly on the evaporator.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

First I've heard of this issue. I had a 2003 Tacoma with about 197K miles on it before I gave it to my son last year. I live in So Cal so ran the AC a lot also. The only difference I can see is that it had no cabin air filter. The AC had never been serviced in those 19 years I owned the truck.

[@santarosa6676]

Nice body shots. Quick double punches! Great info. Thanks

[@ricardomartinez-ne5gq]

One tip...turn on heater full blast in summer for 5 minutes and vice-versa in winter and turn thinks back on to normal and that we'll fix the problem ..I have new lexus 2022 I don't drive the car much and I have ones the funky smell and I did that and problem goes fix

[@mikex1384]

If you came here to learn how to use the Toyota Refresh Kit skip to 10-12 minutes into the video.

[@luisjimenez5898]

My 2017 needed the new 1234 refrigerant a year ago with only 22,000 miles. Now, last week of May, I'm replacing the evaporator. Blowing warm air driver's side, cold air passenger's side. Clogged drain constantly. And smelly.

[@danav3387]

This is way easier than my Mercedes. You gotta unbolt the bottom of the glove box area then unbolt the filter then carefully and fully cover the carpet because you gotta spray from The inside under the glove box.

[@soloflight1975]

I just use lysol disinfectant spray, spray into exterior vent when ac is running and let it stand overnight, cost $5, very effective

[@darenhouser427]

I wouldn’t recommend that. The chemicals from the spray will eventually eat through the evaporator coil, which will eventually cause a leak. Just my 2 cents.

[@mercurials54]

4runner has the same issue with drainage on chassis, I used tube to redirect drainage to floor.

[@veedubya4636]

FJs also. I did the drain extension a month ago on my 2007.

[@SunnyWu]

The charcoal ones really help if you're driving past a landfill, or during the really bad California forest fires where you can actually smell burning wood in the air (like several years ago). I know this because I had to use 3M respirators during the forest fires many years ago, and the filters with the charcoal filters pretty much cut out all the smells.

[@tinytinker]

+1 The charcoal ones helped during California fires, had it in the 4Runner and forgot to put one in the Prius. Was able to notice the difference between the charcoal and standard cabin filters.

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Thanks Chloe,your info is always on point/informative and easy to understand.

[@TA-op3vn]

Good stuff, but you need it to do all that without the cabin filter. Coz it should go in after

[@Bruh-ix1fm]

Set your ac to recirculate and you will not have any smelly problems and it'll also help your ac from working extra hard.

[@PankajMohan]

Run with fresh air heat for an hour, best if you could drive somewhere. That nasty smell will go away to a certain extent. But this doesnt replace this type of cleaning.

[@hamr84]

Chloe, love the channel! I saw a clip where you were using some kind of ceramic coating specific for off road applications but I couldn't find it when I looked later. What was that product?

[@mtnslyr]

Awesome, I learn new things to do with a car every time!

[@cbayless4294]

For what SPARKS charges for shipping it's way cheaper to pay MSRP at the dealership for parts.

[@ackerrj]

Nice video. Helpful. However: I think you made a mistake with the filter. The arrow indicates the DIRECTION OF AIRFLOW, which at least in a Highlander (my vehicle) is DOWN. So, your filter might be wrong side up. Best wishes...

[@gamefixersvideos]

Another fix for this is to move to Texas. lol. It get SO HOT here that NOTHNIG stands a chance of growing in the vent system or the cabin of the vehilce for that matter. I've got an 02 4RNR and have NEVER noticed a musty smell coming from the vents in my vehicle during the summer months. A bit in the colder months but it only lasts a few seconds after firing up the system so I've never worried about it. Great video BTW!

[@barrya.6212]

IF ONE has a DIFFERENT smell, like a chemical smell, that indicates your Evaporator core / coil is leaking and that chemical smell is refrigerant.....usually will do mainly at beginning of startup of AC....and then of course before long you'll notice AC no longer cooling.....no more refrigerant left...

[@GIZZMOTORSPORTS]

I guess how many ways can you do this vid, they all look similar. The thing I’d do different is lift up the cowl cover and spray the deodorizer directly into the air intake. I showed this in my vid, 😆

[@CommomsenseSmith]

Yeah definitely shut the ac off a few minutes before you stop with the fan on and outside air on and also park it in the sun wherever possible it helps with uv light keeping mold etc from growing. The “Car care Nut” here on the tube has a good video of this process. He is a certified Toyota technician.

[@lvxleather]

Damn, Chloe has some moves! 🥊💯🥊

[@irisbaez1972]

what move?

[@BackyardEngineer334]

Chloe you’re just now telling us you’re a boxer complete with a clip of you beating some dudes a**. Lmao 🤣 you surprise me with something new almost every video.

[@steveb591]

Google her. She's a 🏆 🥇

[@ChloeKuo]

😂

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

its gotta be really hot for me to use a/c. i eat in my truck. just had 3 tacos and a orange soda. have a good day boss

[@downundermtb4744]

Love the Toyota’s . We all get comfortable in them from time to time and fluf of not knowing. 😊 don’t leave any smelly items in you vehicle 😂

[@prescottosegie]

Thank you for the information I appreciate the truck gems Chloe keep up the good content 💪😎

[@ryannowak1284]

I have 310k miles on my Tacoma and I think I might have changed the cabin air filter maybe twice. It seems kind of a waste to change often.

[@polancorosahn]

Excellent information Chloe pretty long video but very informative thank you for sharing.

[@akshayrbhavsar]

Thanks for the instructional. Tackling this in my LX470 soon.

[@wilburyuen]

How do you dry out boxing gloves?

[@angli232]

A female vision of Chris fix 👍

[@tonynelson7]

First addition your supposed to let it sit in evaporator for 10 minutes and then drain and reaped steps 3 and 4 and sit another 10 minutes ?

[@AFGixxeR88]

Chloe or anyone else do you guys ever feel your 3rd gen doesn’t blow air hard enough? I don’t really feel my air unless the bars are maxed out on the fan speed

[@cyrilg97]

Pro tip for anyone who wants to do this: Get the cleaning kit from Subaru. It’s the same thing but half the price.

[@user-nx1jx6cd9q]

In this video, (Off topic), does your truck have a lift and what wheel and tire specs? Please and thank you.

[@df6580]

Thank you so very much, very informative also easy to do and follow.

[@EngineeredMojo]

New sub to your channel, great content for Tacos and Toyotas in general

[@davenelson4334]

You can prevent this by turning off your AC and opening your circulation before you turn off the truck.

[@donnymillet3821]

Cool...would the same process work for my Toyota 4runner?

[@roycef6632]

best fix lysol spray works great

[@SDMTB14]

What Ive been doing for years with different vehicles is every morning I run just the fan with recirc off and windows open for like a minute

[@aznballer19]

3/8” ID hose will not fit. Please correct that. I just spent $10 getting the wrong hose cut to length

[@steveb591]

Do you leave the cabin air filter box open or close it up without the filter?

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

Close it up w/out the filter

[@graysonhill1366]

Is there a way to reprogram the lock on an Undercover tonneau cover?

[@1039denero]

Worked like a charm. Thanks😊

[@needhelp2453]

I just bought a similar kit labled for Subaru at my local Subaru dealer for $15.

[@vancehadley3962]

doesn't air conditioning dry the air? wouldn't recirculation help?

[@MrAlvarez23]

First time warching your video excelente. I need to do this to my Rav4 2009.

[@jordyndillard3775]

Did this get rid of the smell? I bought a 2021 Rav4 in march and it has the same smell now. help a girl out haha

[@joeykahng6219]

This was awesome! Great info! 🤙🏼

[@DudeGigger]

Using fresh air mode is the easiest way to rid the smells. Recurculate less.

[@tedd7028]

Condensation water is extremely acidic, so that's why you get rust where it drips.

[@FreedomAtRisk]

our 2007 tacoma AC smells like it has a family of mice living in it

[@Patrioticmonkie]

My A/C has no smell because the A/C don’t work. I live the open window life now. I used to hate having windows open above 40 but now I don’t care even going 65.

[@isaiahbadua8174]

😂😂😂😂

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

Then it probably has a family of mice living in it. 😄

[@kamnapavon4638]

They make Ionizers for Vehicles.

[@Squarebody_Builds]

FYI, spraying ANY good odor killer in the vents bybthe base of the windshield will help. I do it with Ozone odor eliminator all the time to all of my vehicles

[@bangtan4342]

I get the scent after it reins and its mositire outside

[@mr-peabody]

My previous vehicle said not to run recirc all the time so I shut that off only to notice it back on later - now I know why it is on ! I'm being gaslit by Toyota!

[@Иоан-ш8ъ]

Hello everyone! please tell me what wheels are the maximum size I can put on sr5 245/75 r16

[@gwendolynmeredith5779]

What do I use on a Tocoma 2010? I can get heat but no fresh air..

[@DjDobleU809]

Nice Tacoma. Informative video.

[@truckevich]

I'm a universally certified a/c tech and this is not accurate. Recirculating the same air through the evaporator coil will cause the humidity to condense and drain out eventually making that air drier. Flowing outside, humid air though the evap coil will hamper the systems ability to remove the humidity since you'd be drawing fresh humid air from the outside. Same reason why your homes a/c does not draw outside air.

[@donmills2167]

You could be in denial about passing gas!

[@G7130]

I stayed at a motel six last night and a AC technician

[@jcgmz6886]

Try not to hot box farts in there. Turn the air recirculation button off and crack a window for a few minutes after passing gas

[@nukiesduke6868]

I'm surprised the cabin air filter doesn't come with an activated carbon layer to it. There's the smell problem. So surely some company has to make activated carbon cabin filters??

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

They do

[@steverinehart787]

Great tip thank you! Very helpful. 👍

[@chrisjones2569]

Could you do more videos of you using your tacoma ex you bought a tent go camping

[@BADD400]

Great video Chloe

[@dumkopf]

Chloe do you know where the ac drain in an 80 series is?

[@finderskeeperz8363]

Just curious as to why you own two tacos