How to clean and deodorize the A/C on a 2011 Kia Optima

How to clean and deodorize the A/C on a 2011 Kia Optima as per the TSB CLI 016 dated July 2011

[@ohheydarciemae1121]

This video is SO HELPFUL! Thank you for uploading this!

[@pedrito77]

Thank you for this video. I too have noticed that funky smell. I wish I could see better where inside the engine compartment you are going. It is hard to see. I will watch again later. Thank you again!

[@ctdrone]

Pedro Perez it’s not the engine compartment, but the underside of the car where the AC condenser drains.

[@MSH3423]

the drain hose is by catalytic converter

[@jasonwade7244]

Thanks! Worked on my 2016. Drain tube is on passenger side closer to middle of car for 16' If u can't find it run ac til it starts to drain. Very easy.

[@pickles9774]

Thank you for this video, but it only solved the problem for a month. This is a serious design flaw which needs a class action lawsuit. I am a class A tech and have NEVER seen this as bad in any other car. Poor engineering..

[@argenisabinader23]

Sean Johnstone I have a 2016 Kia Sedona that has a disgusting smell since it was new. I have it for only 8 months and it has been service for this three times already. My son has asthma so I am filling for the lemon law because of this.

[@gabys5117]

I have a 2016 Kia Optima, I got my brand new car the end of November 2016.Taken it three times for same issue. I have called corporate and the service manager at Kia called them while I was at his office. pretty much they said we as customers are supposed to read our manuals to learn how to operate the a/c (like, who reads a manual? specially to figure out how to operate the a/c?) so pretty much they make it seem its my fault that a/c stinks. While parts manager was on line with corporate, she admitted "if customer don't follow the steps, mold will create" So, are they admitting my car has mold? I have asthma as well. I love my Optima but they are making me hate it because as corporate they should have the customer's back not imply that as a customer I am being negligent for not reading the manual. I live in GA. How are you going about filing lemon law? Mold is no joke, its a health hazard. Would you kindly walk me through the steps? thanks

[@garystinten9339]

GABY SANCHEZ they didn't admit that mold is present.. they stated.. and you said it yourself.. MOLD WILL BE CREATED.. so read the manual.. Also.. you expect them to look after everything? Geez.. if you banged your mobile phone against the kitchen bench each time it rang, would you expect it to operate correctly for not operating the system correctly? In other words.. owner operator.. and fault is from lack of maintenance... You want them to maintain it. Expect them to charge you for it. Orherwise, watch this video and learn a thing or two..

[@lyfordtx]

Poor design to say the least. I own older vehicles without this issue

[@luislemus6204]

I have a 2019 Kia optima and have the same problem the smell of mildew and mold only leaves for like 2-3 weeks and comes back I am tired of this car I am at the point where I just want to get rid of it

[@cliftondelaney1389]

I replaced with a K & N. After taking old filter out, vacuum. Sometimes leaves get into vent. I haven't had problem with any smell. So times the drain hose gets clogged & causes mildew, & causes smells. I use to run the A / C on with fan on high with fresh air, & spray part of the can of Lysol on the cowl vent. This was with my old 75 Toyota Corona wagon (this later became the Camry), & My 86 Mazda B2000.

[@luciacastro6792]

So did you have the cabin air filter out when you did the treatment?

[@cindygomez5414]

My Optima is a 2013 and I don’t notice any bad smell. I don’t smoke or let ppl smoke in my car or eat. Just avoiding any smells.

[@tunechi1627]

Before turning your car off make sure you turn your ac to low and then turn your car off. 🤙

[@asmith8898]

A link for the product would be thoughtful of you. Thanks.

[@alvinfernando922]

I did this to my 2016 kia rio today. The check engine light went on 😩

[@cliftondelaney1389]

You Don't need to buy filter from the dealer. I think I payed about the same or less than what the dealer charged, but I clean it @ the same time as my K & N air filter. The diifference My KIA Optima is a 2012.

[@grandslam1013]

Hyundai and Kia's have this problem bad my car's smell like piss when a/c is on I have done all and nothing works

[@estebanvargas6823]

Same ob my 2014 kia sportage smell really bad when i turn the ac on

[@heartkim8476]

Noice diy here mate thumbs up from South Korea hometown of optima aka k5 very nice car

[@chriswhite101]

My wife always complains about the vinegar smell in my 2015 Optima

[@garystinten9339]

Chris White get air fresheners.. and tell her they fixed it.

[@ImSavageC]

Chris White mine too

[@jesussaves8549]

Lysol in cowl vent and same with me it smells bad like vinegar

[@hallinden3942]

I have a 2015 Optima and have never encountered any smells when using the A/C. I am Southern, CA; I wonder if geography plays a part in this issue.

[@leonardos1984]

The air filter is grey because it is an active carbon filter... :D

[@billl5111]

No, not the OE one. Only aftermarket ones are.

[@garystinten9339]

Should have cut a small piece of the pipe and adapted to the drain hose so no mess on the car. Nicer than having to spend 10 mins cleaning the crossmember there.

[@billl5111]

Because a dirty crossmember on the bottom of a car is an issue?

[@marianalandivar3002]

This is beautiful

[@danbuckles2745]

It would be easier to spray it into the filter box with it removed with the AC on high recirculate every ten seconds until its empty.

[@ctdrone]

I’d just recommend following the instructions on the kit.

[@sergeydscw51]

sprey step 2 only passenger ventilation.

[@67buzzo]

What is the point of keeping the windows and doors closed since you are cleaning the vents from the outside...??

[@ctdrone]

Because that’s what the instructions call for. My guess is because the fumes are toxic.

[@67buzzo]

@@ctdrone exactly, more reasons to keep everything open ..

[@ctdrone]

@@67buzzo you need the windows closed. That’s what the instructions call for. My guess, most techs do the service in the shop, you don’t want the fumes all over the shop.

[@ckdunn12345]

Not to be picky, but you cabin air filter was NOT cruddy; that was a filter with activated carbon for better odor control and filtration. It is gray in color as opposed to the pure white ones which are paper only. Just saying...

[@genepimentel8854]

Video needs to be a lot better .not enough light to see the proper areas to work on. To bad needed the view to Do the right job . Make it better!

[@jmoore4maltajmoore4malta17]

Ok

[@Ryanthemusician]

This smell happens with my Caddy

[@speedshiftr88]

just change the filter every 3 months..cheap enough to avoid issues

[@ctdrone]

speedshiftr88 has more to do with changing the filter. The cause is condensation in the condenser causes mold/mildew which causes the smell.

[@lyfordtx]

Filter is not the issue as it is not even wet

[@billl5111]

Seven people like smelly cars.

[@asmith8898]

They work for kia ir Hyundai

[@kinggzz]

mayb its not the car.... juz sayin....