QuestionI apologize if this has been asked & answered before, but here goes (and I'll
give yu a few extra details.... I took my '97 Quest mini-van into the local
dealership to do a recall replacement to a fuel line hose (leaking gas smell)...
The day after that was done, my a/c started emitting a terrible odor. At first I
thought mechanics had sprayed a lubricant on some bolts and it would burn
off and the smell would go away... When it didn't, I took my minivan to a local
mechanic and they said it was most likely mold or mildew and they would
flush it out and "treat" it. It smelled somewhat better for a few days. I went
on a roadtrip, a/c stopped working, and I was told the radiator needed to be
replaced (original equipment)... Had that done, a/c STILL smells... My local
mechanic said if his previous "treatment" didn't fix the smell, they would
replace the evaporator housing (or box, or something) and it would run about
$800!!!! Help - what do you recommend? I live in Fla and must get this
fixed before it really heats up! Thanks.
AnswerI am sorry to say that the evaporator case actually grows mildew. The treatments only work 50% of the time. The reason this happens is due in two parts, one, moisture trapped in the evap. case is the perfect home for mildew. Make sure the evap. drain is clear and draining all the water out, most people dont realize the a.c. system turns on every time you use your window defroster as well.
the second problem is the plastic used in the case, it has a chemical reaction over a period of time, and starts to break down, the mold actually grows inside the plastic, thus it can only be removed by getting rid of the entire case. The updated cases use a different type of plastic, so this shouldn't happen again. Don't get one from the wrecking yard.. Good luck..
