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Weird smell from HVAC?

Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
There's a weird that comes from my car whenever I gave Max A/C on


Or. The windshield front defogger


My A/C has no Freon, so I don't use my A/C function. There must be a connection between the two functions that cause that smell, what can I do to fix it?
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Sunday, May 7th, 2023 AT 7:04 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
It sounds like the heater core is starting to leak, can you please check the passenger's side floorboard for coolant?

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/eliminating-funny-smells-from-your-cars-vent-system-causes-and-solutions

Please go over this guide and report back.
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Sunday, May 7th, 2023 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
So, I looked under my hood and took a picture and I think that step 4 may be an issue. How would I address that?
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Sunday, June 4th, 2023 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
That hose look damp.
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Sunday, June 4th, 2023 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
That looks normal but it is hard to tell from the image. Can you check the passenger side carpet under the mat to check for coolant? Can you upload more close up shots?
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Monday, June 5th, 2023 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
There is no leakage.

https://youtu.be/prJq7S_jzlA
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Saturday, June 10th, 2023 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
Thanks for the video. I don't see anything out of the ordinary. Can I ask if the smell is like burnt coolant? You might have a heater core leak but not enough to show up on the carpet just yet. Also have you had any steam on the inside of the windshield at any time?
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Sunday, June 11th, 2023 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
I'm not too sure if I ever saw steam, I can't recall ever seeing it, only fog. But it's warmer weather now. And it'll happen with Max A/C on. So, I'm wondering what's up now. I don't have any freon though.
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Sunday, June 11th, 2023 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
It sounds like the heater core is leaking a little bit.
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Monday, June 12th, 2023 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
How can I verify?
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Saturday, June 17th, 2023 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
The only way is to remove the heater core for inspection. You will need to start by disconnecting the battery and draining the coolant and A/C system.

Here are videos to help:

https://youtu.be/4EqdrBVb0sY

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Monday, June 19th, 2023 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
https://youtu.be/gVWnW-4QU_E

I think this may be helpful.
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Saturday, June 24th, 2023 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
Thanks for the video, do you have something in the glove box that can cause it?
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Sunday, June 25th, 2023 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
FABIAN CHARLTON
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
I don't believe I do.

https://youtube.com/shorts/o5Jp85Kzx8c?feature=share3
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Sunday, June 25th, 2023 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
Yep, it must be the beginning of the heater core, or the A/C drain is clogged.

Please check out this video:

https://youtu.be/q9_MZiS2_NE

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 12:10 PM

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