Musty A/C smell in your Ford Truck ***EASY FIX MUST SEE***

[@gnxtc2]

Here's a little trick you can do. After using the AC, switch to VENT and turn the fan to HIGH. You can leave the temp setting alone. Do this down the block from your house or a minute prior to reaching your destination. You will notice the air coming out of the vents will be cool at first then it will gradually get warmer. After approximately 30 secs, you can shut down. What this does, the hot outside air will dry off the evaporator. Dark and humid places is where mold strives hence the stench you smell. I do this to all my vehicles and none have any odors.

[@cannoncapo510]

2016 F150, had the musty smell as you described. Followed your procedure but pulled the cabin filter first to prove the smell was not the coming from filter. While the filter was out, closed up the filter cover panel and did the Lysol treatment, replaced cabin air filter with a new one. All good now. Thanks for the video!

[@MrSotov]

2020 f-150 here! Just wanted to share that I was worried about the all of a sudden musty smell, I didn’t know what to do😓 Than I ran into this video! Thanks for all the help A-Rod! You’re a life saver

[@zfilmmaker]

Thank god for Aaron! I’ve got this smell and I didn’t even have to search long for a resolution!

[@fosno1]

Awesome you are the only that implies to turn off air recirculating. That’s what I was missing thanks

[@Deltatwo3]

So I live in Georgia and as everyone probably knows it's extremely humid and as summer is over and fall has arrived the wife and I noticed quite a strong musty smell coming from the vents. Did this and replaced the cabin air filter and it's never smelled better! Thanks!

[@Mi_Tony]

I noticed a very slight musty smell just this morning coming from my vents. (‘17 F150) I’m going to try this when I get home from work. Truck still smells new so I hope it works.

[@ragama623]

Sometimes just running the air on the hottest setting for 30 minutes is enough to dry the stagnant water/moisture and kill the bacteria. I ooened all my windows and did 10 minutes for the windshield vents, then 10 minutes for the forward facing vents and then 10 minutes for the floor facing vents. No more smell. And from now on, im probably going to do a shorter cycle of this every weekend just to make sure bacteria doesnt build up

[@wintersfarm1340]

Interesting. Never had that issue. Maybe the really dry air of Western Colorado? Good to know though. Thanks for the video's!

[@RetiredVet_life]

Thank you very much for posting this!! Just saved me a lot time and possibly a lot of money!

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Right on bud!!

[@darrenmcquay9957]

Just tried this, fingers crossed it works! Thanks for sharing

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

U bet

[@OffDutyShort]

Did it work?

[@darrenmcquay9957]

Funny you should ask, I actually just reapplied Lysol this evening, I used a full can this time tho, so I hope it works better. It will work if it has a minor smell.

[@ATR-42]

I was getting musty smell when first turning the F250 on, I kind of followed your video for my 21 with slight variation. I removed the cabin air filter, and shot the Lysol right into the fan cavity while the fan was running on high... we'll see if it was effective over the next few days. thanks for this video as always A-Rod!

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Thats actually what i wound up adding to mine too

[@peterbenson3776]

Check condenser pan drain too

[@faustinofernandez8879]

Thanks for this info doing it myself right now

[@joshmay5431]

Did this when mine smelled musty. Smelled better for 15 min. Now it's 10x worse and smells like super strong vinegar. Used proper ac spray using same method to fix.

[@liftedforless]

What product?

[@snickerstorino]

its a bandaid for the most part, ask yourself why is it suddenly doing this? the answer is the evaporator is collecting moisture in a/c yes but it cant get rid of it like it once could why? because the drain tube from the evaporator is probably plugged locking the moisture inside and keeping it from draining this is a great way to get rid of the smell but if your drain tube is plugged this will come back again

[@liftedforless]

Where is the drain tube?

[@franciscom1421]

Worked great on my 2018 charger scatpack. Thanks.

[@TheBrandondonath]

Do I need to remove the cabin air filter first? It seems like the filter would prevent the Lysol from reaching the evaporator core

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

That would be proactive

[@reydelosangeles4399]

I thought the exact thing

[@DJADP]

So you shd take the cabin filter out?

[@stevenfuchs2548]

As Sargent Schultz said interesting, very interesting!

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yes SIR! 🤝

[@JD-dm4lo]

The heater core is after the A/C evaporator. So turning on the heat will not dry it out. Think about it - When you run the defroster the compressor comes on but the air is hot. What does that tell you ?

[@jerryknorr679]

Good tip but that can is very hard to find but will keep that in mind thanks

[@Leadfoot70]

Have you tried an ozone generator? Have used this in several cars (but not my Ford yet) and it worked wonders.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Nole sure havent

[@teambluemxer]

f150s also old little trick from us

[@gmlover82]

Thanks for posting. My Explorer is doing that so I’ll try this out.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

👍👍👍👍

[@OffDutyShort]

Did it work?

[@artembrauner4868]

Interested as well

[@OffDutyShort]

@@artembrauner4868 hey so I did it my way and it seems to work. Turn the car on, max out the ac, spray Lysol in all the vents outside that sucks it. Have the ac running all modes. Feet, face, front, rear for around 10 minutes. Turn it off and then the next 3 days run your car without the ac on but regular fan. After that you’re good. If you happen to use the ac again in the future just make sure you turn off the ac when you’re a minute or two away from parking.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yeppp

[@joelane4670]

When you have the rcir light on inside of the cab? What filters the air then? Is it still go through a cabin filter?

[@pauplandhunter2361]

Will that work of the 2016 Super Duties as well?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yes I have a new video coming out

[@sevenmalards]

I have a 2021 F350 with 12k miles and the AC just started smelling like mildew.

[@KendrasEdge757]

When my upper fuel rail line busted you could smell diesel in my cab. They had to use the dealership cans that they turn the air on high recert and press the button and leave in sitting inside the truck with all the doors shut. To clean out the vents in the truck. They had to do it three times before the woman at Ford signed off on the repairs. I was like if I smell diesel in the cab y’all are keeping it until I don’t! So she took care of me, cuz the smell was gone. I don’t know if any of those disinfect. Probably not if you’re using Lysol. I’ve used that years ago for same issue you’re having and it works.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Interesting

[@FS22-Jamison]

ok so I'm definitely going to try this to get rid of my musty smell from the AC. Next question - AC Drain lines causing the floorboards to get wet? Any chance you've got/could make a quick video on getting them cleaned out/squared away to prevent that Last question - sunroof issues - mine is falling down & won't open or close. so it's stuck letting air & water in. So far the drains have done their job here & kept it away from the headliner as far as I can tell, but my ford garage "diagnosed" it, "got the roof closed" & told me it would cost 1k & gave me no information on what the actual problem was... any ideas? Truck is 2017 F250, 6.2L gas, Lariat Ultimate trim with about 56k miles. TIA for any suggestions.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yes i made a video a few weeks ago...probably need a sunroof track

[@FS22-Jamison]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod thanks. found the video on the AC drain. Think next weekend I'm going to tackle that & the musty smell. now to find a good how to on changing sunroof tracks....

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Lmaoooo got that one too pal. Vista panel video, cmon....where are you......BEST SUPETDUTY CHANNEL ON THEE WEBS

[@FS22-Jamison]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod TBH - I've had mine for almost 2 years & haven't had to do a thing but change the oil so... I haven't really needed anything. Now all of a sudden - issues. but very grateful you're here with all the awesome tips...

[@tannerredding4276]

I have a strong vinegar like smell when i first turn my ac on but goes away after about 5-10 seconds… Could this fix that issue?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Probably not

[@Tclark304]

Your ac drain is plugged and probably backing up into your cabin. Is the carpet wet on the passenger side? Fyi if you have factory rubber floors, check the padding under the flooring. If so, google plugged ac drain. Easy fix most the time

[@xforce687]

A lot of late model Ford have easy to replace cabin filters! I've made so many hours on those the past few years! Looking forward to the next upload!👍🤘

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Thanks pal!!👍

[@RustyX2010]

sucks if the driver is a smoker then you have to change out those things like every month!

[@houndsmanone4563]

Will this work on 2011 F150 truck? I don't know if it has cabin filters.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yes, you do not need to have a filter for this to work...

[@brandonion5647]

What about older models without cabin filters? I have a 97 f250

[@akbychoice]

Another trick, every once in awhile turn on your AC even when it is cold. It makes a huge difference.

[@flogtwo]

Reverse that actually, you want to turn the heat on to dry out the system

[@maker-logic]

Hi Aaron, can this be done with 2011 with no cabin filter the same way?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yes

[@bensalien1436]

Good info man! Question - I discovered my rear passenger door on my 2017 250 is collecting water. I have to pull the drain plug every time it rains. Is something like that a recall?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

No but def shld get it chked out at the dealer

[@gaylonhardman9082]

I had to clean all my drains out with a power spay nozzle on my water hose and pipe cleaners. Since then I haven’t had the issue anymore.

[@DJADP]

Hello should intake the cabin air filter out or no?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Either or

[@mandysongne9452]

I have a 2020 expedition with similar problem. Is that normal for a car this young to have this issue?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yes because u dont ket it dry out & just shut the vehicle off.

[@liftedforless]

So what do I do now if it hasn’t worked? I need to clean it manually

[@adrianpeak3168]

Did you have to replace the ac filter before doing this? Thank you

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

U mean the pollen filter, yes if its dirty

[@adrianpeak3168]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod sorry i meant did you have to take that pollen filter out before doing this?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

No but u can

[@billdomi9374]

My A/C doesn't work so I never turn it on.. I get the smell when I turn the regular heat on or turn the dial to a cooler temp. Smell goes away around 10 mins into the drive. Should I try this 2007 F150. I wasn't getting the smell as much in the winter,,now that spring is here the smell is back.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Do it!

[@DS-TRUCKS]

GONNA TRY THIS

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Better or else!

[@rider9195]

Had great luck using this after some mice got diced up in a blower motor and splattered onto the evaporator. After cleaning out the hvac box I sprayed it down with lysol and it helped kill off the smell.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@Sl0thTeam6]

Diced up 😂😂

[@blahboy68]

2014 Ford Expedition. No cabin filter for this year model. Any ideas to get a clean smell for my musty ac?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Can still do this...

[@hussezzat794]

I noticed you applied Lysol to the passenger side only, no driver side ?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

The intake vent is not on the driver side

[@3374jj]

Cool idea. I'll try it on mine

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Woowoo

[@3374jj]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod Lol yes sirrrr!!!

[@jbh77064]

My current 2017 F150 has smelly A/C. I live in Houston, Tx; so we use our A/C's almost year round. I have a question though: I have been driving F150s and F250s for the past ~17 years. My current truck is the only one with this problem. What has changed? Everything was fine on all the older trucks?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Just mold, bacteria, mildew...somthin start to form on the plastics...not sure what the dilly is...only to guess its the environment in the case

[@akbychoice]

Have you changed your cabin air filter?

[@jbh77064]

@@akbychoice Yes, I've done that; along with spraying the lysol in the fresh air intake. It definitely works and gets rid of the smell for ~2 months. I've also tried the 'turning off the recirculate' button when a mile away from home. All these things help short term. The question I have for Ford is......why do I have to do this? This was not an issue on the 3 prior F-series trucks. My driving habits have not changed; and Houston has always been hot. So....I'm left to think that Ford changed something. I still love the truck, but it's definitely an annoyance.

[@akbychoice]

@@jbh77064 next maybe check to see if the condensate drain is draining good. My Peterbilt was driven by a guy that took his dog with him. At the end of the summer I had issues. Turned out to be dog hair in the heating and cooling ducts and the hair blocked the condensate drain. Once I cleared that it cleared up.

[@bmluke14]

2019 F150 XLT, have had this stink for a year now. Multiple applications of Lysol, AC duct cleaner and new cabin filter (at least the dealership said they replaced it) and I still have the stink. Any other ideas? Get a new truck!? Lol

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Oooooooff hmmmm

[@bmluke14]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod just popped out the cabin filter and it’s fine. The issue runs deeper.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

I am thinkin yes

[@samuelbrowne7689]

Thanks! Will try it

[@scowell]

I thought disodorizer was 75$ a can?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@rustycornelius8212]

New to your channel just bought a 2020 6.7 thanks for all the great tips

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Get comfy, LOTZ more comin!

[@electrician-bn7gr]

Yea try and find a can of that lol

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Plennnnnnty

[@s.torres3621]

hhahahahah

[@akbychoice]

Amazon has it again.

[@brandonkisner4069]

I have 125k on my 19 should I try this or change the filter??

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Both!!

[@FKNSENDIT]

wife went to the store ,gone 30 min came back truck( 17 f350) smells like dog poop trucks clean. it's coming from the air vents 🤦‍♂️

[@xXcajunblazeXx]

I wouldn’t consider this a fix... is the smell coming from moisture on the evap coils?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

It is, for the smell. The key is not getting it to smell again...that there is the secret

[@oldyeller7480]

Any suggestions for a 2011 f350 with no cabin filter ?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Same process

[@jordancalhoun1224]

It got rid of the mold smell but I have been running my truck for 30 minutes with the ac on high, and all of the doors and windows open and it still smells like I am huffing a can of lysol. 😂😂

[@billmartin4602]

Does my 2016 F-350 have a cabin air filter?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

No sir, sry it does not

[@dannysanchez186]

How about for a 2017 lariat f350?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yeaaaa

[@rmoseng1]

Any ideas where the air intake would be on my 2017 Ford Explorer? The outside of the car has a plastic cover under the windshield. When opening the hood, I see what looks like a vent. After spraying Lysol into this area for a full minute, I still get no Lysol smell coming into the interior of the car. I have the AC on, fan on full and air coming in from outside. Not sure where I should be spraying?

[@chrishalinaty5824]

Did you find an answer? I’m wondering too.

[@jamesrichardson8484]

Its not so easily accessible, its under the hood. To get to it you need to remove both windshield wiper arms. Then remove the plastic cowl beneath the arms. One the inside of the engine compartment is another cowl beneath the 1st one that also has to come out. Once that's out you'll see it on the passenger side just beneath the windshield. In other words its low quality poorly designed not thought out crap like virtually everything else on the Exploder...

[@misslailai]

So it removes the smell BUT what about the potential mold still growing in there ? Isn’t that unhealthy?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Did u read the side of the can....

[@justinflohr8856]

Your videos are the perfect way to start the day while waiting on my new truck to be built. 👍 will not apply it till every wiff of the new truck smell is gone. Good vid though!

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Thanks pal

[@jeffrandolf5673]

WHAT YEAR TRUCK is that? '08 thru '14 F-series have no. Cabin filters

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

20 bro u mean thru 16....

[@jeffrandolf5673]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod ''thru 16'' eh? Hmmm, "The internet told me", ''thru '14", so it must be true, right?? lolol

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yea no

[@leewilliam8606]

Just bought and sprayed tonight and the smell gone!

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Good to hear

[@charliemike6959]

Great! Awesome

[@joelmiranda2126]

Will it work on Silverado

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Ya

[@dewet2wet]

The lick at the beginning.

[@ddjslhomebase243]

I take it this is the reason my neighbor keeps leaving his truck running with the windows down and ac blasting for hours upon hours at a time...

[@ck3561]

Wet feet smell. My 22 F350 just started. I always kill the ac about a 2 minute before my destination. New k&n cabin filter. The smell of feet is present and strong haha

[@paulrodrigues9603]

Hmmmmm great idea!

[@redjonnyboy00]

I replaced the filter and did this and my Raptor still STINKS

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

May take multiple applications broski

[@redjonnyboy00]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod I've already used a whole can of lysol over the span of a few days lol

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Holy crap!

[@muglug4936]

@@redjonnyboy00 you need to clean evap core. They sell a foam cleaner you apply via drain tube. The foam coats core then pulls of the crud when it liquefies and drains out. Think of it like the fo tire cleaners. Worked for me.

[@tomcunning4473]

Mine is a 2016 with no cabin filter. Is there anything you could suggest to get similar results?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

You can do this even with or without a pollen filter

[@Doom6.0]

PowerStroke Tech Talk w/ARod How about on an 05 Excursion?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Spray it in bub. It will work

[@KERNFUZED]

@@Doom6.0 Lubegaurd 96030 Kool-It Evaporater and Heater Foam cleaner ..worked great shit oozed out smells like spermint for a bit ,but goes away...i have a 05 excursion also..

[@toms5212]

Is the AC intake in the same spot on the 2016 as your truck? Passenger side cowl?

[@DanielOchoa23]

Just to be clear, I should remove the cabin air filter prior to doing this right?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Either or

[@cleetusprep]

That must be a Ford part cuz you can't buy that in stores anymore LOL

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Lmao naww

[@dnf2004]

Probably has a water leak! Like most of them now a days.🤣

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Ha, ya i think not

[@Travis-kw3mo]

I knew I should've bought a Chevy. Damn Ford cant even make a truck ac that don't smell

[@DavidRuiz-y5i]

Warning: I did this on my truck and it damaged the blower motor. It cost me$180 for a new blower motor.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yeah, well, you're not supposed to sprayed at the blower motor

[@DavidRuiz-y5i]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod I sprayed it the same way as the video, the vent's outside under the windshield.

[@MormonMustang_]

Nope. It's a drain tube that backwashes that's the culprit.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Yea maybe it your Ram

[@treyzamora6263]

Ford wants $3500 to replace my ac on my 2020 f250 tremor to get rid of the moldy smell. I’ll never buy a Ford again.

[@possibility28able]

Had a 99 that I drove for 20 years and never had an issue. Shouldn’t have to effing spray Lysol into my 2022 truck and do all of this nonsense to fix this

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Ur old dinosaurs had A completely different hvac system their cheeeeef

[@mike_adams]

Ummm .. time to buy a new one!

[@gobdeep]

Wait, wait, wait, no PTT intro music!?!?

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Thats Friday melodies hahahah

[@gobdeep]

@@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod You gonna have to get a mid-week melody. Can't just be jumping into repairs without some build up, bruh. That's like going in dry. No prep.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@zrtwooo]

Too much chit chat! Get to the point. But thanks, I'll try it.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

.....im sorry mexican Karen

[@Pandie916]

My ac smells like pee all the time

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Sorry pal

[@ted1butler]

He talks to much

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Lame asf teddy bear

[@SUPERrrCHRIS]

If he wasn't, then i wouldn't know what to do ghost rider.