My Tesla's AC Smells TERRIBLE & How to Fix it!

[@nateperkins5040]

Very clear explanation, thank you and kudos. One thing to add, the speaker wire is tricky to remove and has no obvious visible release tab. A small flathead screwdriver will help. The release is on the lower wide side of the connector, same side as the L-shaped key. Push on the rectangular hole on that side to disengage the notch on the connector.

[@MrNicolericca]

Wow my car is only a few months old and I was wondering what that smell was. Thanks

[@olddoc1]

Thanks for the video. I have a Performance 3 from 2018 and it suffers from the same problem. The access for the filter is very similar on a 3. A Tesla service center once used an ozone treatment to clear the smell and it worked well. I've tried spraying a cleaner into the air intake in the front and that did not work well. The direct foam cleaner on the evaporator seems like a good way to go. I did this when I placed aftermarket charcoal filters.The smell did recur after a while since the design of the A/C system is flawed and the moisture allows mildew to grow.

[@DylanHongTech]

Yeah it’s a bummer that it will eventually return, but I’m glad you liked the video! :)

[@Shiftermcgoo]

It’s best practice to turn the recirculating air (RSA) off about 10 minutes before you get to your desired destination if you have to use RSA. The issue is that moisture from the evaporator coil builds up (“sweating”) when using RSA and when suddenly shut off, it sits there and sweats down to the filter area and that’s where the smell comes from. This is a very slight design flaw in an otherwise damn near perfect vehicle.

[@Bane92]

Lol it’s not a slight design flaw. Every other vehicle has vertical drip. It’s a huge flaw to have horizontal drip.

[@justinpietrycha2179]

I just started noticing this a couple weeks ago.. A little under 3 MONTHS of owning a brand new 22' Model 3 Performance. I knew it wasn't, but really thought it was my feet smell that was getting recirculated into the AC, until you mentioned foot smell. Live in FL, humid, but will try the filters first. Thank you!

[@martywilliams2979]

Did you put the filter in backwards or did the camera flip the image. Air flow is from right to left and the filter arrow was pointed to the right. Additionally, we should have seen the charcoal side of the heap filter and we saw the white paper side. Apologies if I’m wrong. Cheers.

[@michaelhebert9898]

Same, looks like you put them in backwards. Blue side faces front of car

[@carlosv9543]

You’re right, he didn’t pay attention to the arrow for air flow😂

[@DylanHongTech]

The company I got the filters from has since updated their design, but I installed it according to the manual that came with the product. You can see that the pull tabs are accessible in the way I installed them and if I were to flip the filters, I wouldn't have been able to keep the tabs accessible.

[@ychsia]

@@DylanHongTech I think the filter manufacturer put the pull tab at the wrong side. I see when the tab is on the top but the air flow arrow is pointing to the front. Shouldn't the air flow is from front to back?

[@DylanHongTech]

Yeah, they since updated their design

[@dhollenbach]

I thought it was me since I drive home covered in sweat from the gym. I’m glad to know it isn’t my stench. That’s a different stench.

[@Stan1826]

Mine has the exact same problem. I live in a humid climate and need to replace the filter every 4 to 6 weeks. I'm thinking of removing the filters and adding a filter to the air intake by the hood. I know it may get wet up there but it should get rid of the re-occurring smell. There are also a couple of drain holes that will need to be filled with a foam filter. The air intake is a super easy place to access and replace the filter when needed.

[@autoaccidentlawcenter8628]

That is a good idea. Can you post a link for the intake filter?

[@xzzdm]

My 2018 Tesla Model 3 has the same smell issue and I've had the "Farmogo Tesla Model 3 Air Intake Filter" for years (replacing it regularly). It does help a lot to prevent some dusts and debris, but won't solve the smell.

[@Bane92]

You guys are wasting resources replacing filters lol. This is hilarious most people don’t know about the horizontal moisture drip. Builds bacteria. Every other vehicle has vertical drip. I came across an engineer who broke it down in complete detail. It’s a huge design flaw

[@xzzdm]

​@@Bane92 Several years ago, there was extensive discussion about the cause of this issue, with some attributing it to a design flaw. Despite claims that software updates for additional heating after parking could help, it seems ineffective. The problem likely stems from the design flaw, which persists in recent Tesla models despite numerous online complaints for years. I think the point here is that Tesla owners are seeking affordable and relatively simple solutions to mitigate the issue temporarily during hot summer months.

[@andreb.8266]

Good, this will help but you know what is the source of all this ? Just remove the filter again and was your windshield with a lot of water, you will see some water goes to the filter area... The best solution is to install a flexible wall (seal) under the hood between the wiper area and the air entrance. This will solve your trouble for good.

[@josephman624]

Great video helped a lot! From a well spoken gent

[@jacobfain6987]

Dylan - how did the TEMAI filters end up working out? I'm buying new filters and may get the ones you have in the video if you liked them.

[@DylanHongTech]

They seemed to work out well!

[@calebcorjuc3129]

I did this and now theres a chemical smell (from coil cleaner) everytime I turn the AC on. Did this happen to you too?

[@Shiftermcgoo]

It’s best practice to turn the recirculating air (RSA) off about 10 minutes before you get to your desired destination if you have to use RSA. The issue is that moisture from the evaporator coil builds up (“sweating”) when using RSA and when suddenly shut off, it sits there and sweats down to the filter area and that’s where the smell comes from. This is a very slight design flaw in an otherwise damn near perfect vehicle.

[@SaraJAwesome]

I agree with this!

[@cKentEpp]

I’ve never had to take any previous car apart every year to fix a horrible design flaw on one of the worst vehicles I’ve ever purchased

[@Bane92]

@@cKentEppyou’re right. We should be able to sue Tesla for this. HUGE LAWSUIT There’s an engineer that breaks it down and shows the design is supposed to be vertical but Tesla made theirs horizontal causing bacteria build up. That’s a huge fuck up

[@SpeakerKevin]

Nice job, thanks.

[@DylanHongTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ronm7781]

you should also clean the air intake inside the frunk as some debris can drop in there and start to rot when it gets wet. We live in the NorthEast and I put a filter in place to keep leaves and things out of the air intake vent.

[@DylanHongTech]

Good tip!

[@VietBuffet]

Will this restrict the air flow (into the AC coil)?

[@ronm7781]

no it is designed to keep large thing out (leaves/sticks) but has good sized holes for airflow @@VietBuffet

[@BDortmund1]

The problem is water getting sucked into the cowl vent and building moisture onto the filters when the hvac system is on during a rainstorm or car wash. People don’t know there’s a car wash mode. Towards the beginning of the video when you lifted the cowl cover, the duct you see there is where some water is going. There’s a drain at the bottom of the duct but when you have the fan on, it’s sucking some of it in. Keep those filters dry or you’ll have to constantly change them out. One other note, Tesla has improved on this design flaw on the newer model years.

[@GreggK6EGG]

i have a 2023, still have the bad smell.. i used carwash mode every time i washed it.. i hope there is a better fix

[@tubetop123]

Tesla didnt have the tabs sticking out!! Took me a bit to pull them out

[@jimwhite2253]

Thanks!

[@DylanHongTech]

No problem! I've never gotten one of these types of comments. Thanks!

[@tristanolarti9671]

Curious the cost difference of just having Tesla replace the filters every year. Thanks for the video.

[@nidasyed1]

I got a quote for $147 when I submitted the AC issue. I think I'm going to try it myself with this video instead

[@DmitriGoncharov]

The filters from a Tesla service center were 36 dollars including tax. So essentially it is 110 bucks for about 15 min of work.

[@Bane92]

Everyone changing their filters and it’s not the actual solution. It’s a design flaw from horizontal drip. Tesla can get sued for this. Every vehicle has vertical drip because you don’t want bacteria build up. Need to spray coils !!!

[@DavidMase]

Just curious, how’s are smell in the car? Have you done this process more than once or are you still going strong?

[@Bane92]

Most people have to do it once a year. It’s like an oil change for Tesla. I wonder if we can get a lawsuit going for this. Seems very bad. Can’t believe more people don’t bring this up having to open ur car once a year !?!? Where are the real lawyers at??? They needed to design it for vertical drip not horizontal

[@mikemcintosh9933]

Ha ha. I also have been leaving my gym clothes in the frunk all day. Don't want them stinking up the interior right? It's a no win situation lol

[@DylanHongTech]

I’m not sure how bad normal gym clothes is, but man, climbing shoes were terrible

[@adoborid3s117]

You installed the filters backwards :)

[@DylanHongTech]

I installed them according to the instructions and the design at the time. They’ve since updated it I believe

[@MM-bw1lo]

Why not do another video with a recap, whose gonna know you did a comment Hong??? Good info tho

[@ofd3685]

Whoa I’m super early 0-0

[@PilotVBall]

A prime example of Tesla's horrible engineering.

[@huesoo9827]

Thanks for taking the time to do this. Our Y smells BAD

[@laloajuria4678]

just replace the filter. didnt have to clean our coils and fixed the issue.

[@gWhiteMadeIt]

Looks like you put your filters in backwards

[@md929]

Your evaporator looked clean. You didn't need to spray it with coil cleaner.

[@laloajuria4678]

did you put them in backwards?.....

[@aliaksandrapanovich965]

I thought I was the only one who noticed it. Poor quality control on those filters, either the tab should be placed in a different corner or the Air flow pointing arrow should be marked different way . Hopefully KZbinr realized and changed got it right.

[@desmondstanley4372]

Oh man! I actually didn’t wait the 20 minutes at all and when I turned the A/C on I had foam coming through the vents at the dash. Currently letting it run now for the full 20 minutes and then I’ll put the new filters in. Hope I didn’t mess anything up 😬. I guess I’ll try to remember to give my own little update so please everyone feel free to ask me if I do forget. Update: Definitely worked. I’ve gotten the smell since then but only a handful of times. I find that when the climate control is constantly on it gives no time for the smell to linger and blast you in the face once you’re finally in the car. Turn that off and it’s definitely brewing for the release once you turn your A/C back on. I got the charcoal filter, definitely harder to install due to them being a bit more bulky and you will smell the charcoal initially when turning on your A/C. Just something to think about, it doesn’t smell bad to me; however, my wife did relate it to the smell of cigarettes and neither of us smoke. The smell lingers for as long as the wet sock smell does when you first turn it on, but definitely better than smelling the wet sock smell.

[@tubetop123]

Me too!! I forgot to wait and foam came out of the vents!!!

[@richmuniz1763]

I did this today, and your instructions were perfect. Car smells great again (for now), thank you!

[@richmuniz1763]

For those who care, it took about 20 mins.

[@ht43ver]

How long will it last? How often do you have to spray it?

[@phoenix61180]

Hey Dylan, you put the filters in the wrong direction , the arrow & the charcoal side should point inwards 😬, looks like others also pointed out the same 😆

[@DylanHongTech]

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[@DylanHongTech]

UPDATE: It was pretty humid one day and I had the AC running for a bit. After the car was parked outside for a while, I did notice the mildew smell coming back a bit for the first minute or so in the car. It doesn't smell at all when I get in the car after it has been in my garage and plugged in.

[@jmack0013]

@@DylanHongTech Thanks for this video. Has your solution lasted, or has the smell come back?

[@fredcliu]

Valued info. I planed just to take out the filters. Good to know the replacement worked.

[@scandibot3854]

Thanks! Are the black moldings the original? Or a black film coating?

[@Matth9782]

Been about a year and did not see a comment, no return of smell?

[@DylanHongTech]

Yeah the smell returned mildly a few months after then back again next spring

[@lilianatosic2522]

Thank you this video is very helpful!

[@ronakpatel6156]

what software are you running why are your ac control buttons round

[@DylanHongTech]

Whatever the up to date software was during the release of the video

[@PatMofRockies]

Thanks for the video! How did you able to see the coil by the way? I tried so hard but couldn’t see if the cleaning foam cover it all or not.

[@DylanHongTech]

I used my phone camera with flash

[@damiankulas5116]

My 2020 doesn't have a screw at all. Cant figure out how to get the cover off. There is a clear hinge on the bottom but no obvious way to release it at the top.

[@laloajuria4678]

then they didnt install it from the factory, should be able to just wedge out then.

[@ibesailing]

Look higher up on the evap cooler housing. The lower big door you first see doesn’t have a screw. The smaller door higher up and toward the front of the car has the screw on top for my 2018 M3 and is the one you’re looking for 🤙

[@esmoglo]

Any updates?

[@DylanHongTech]

Smell did come back eventually (the next summer)