Car Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

To figure out if the smell relates directly to the air conditioner you should turn off the air conditioner to see if the smell goes away.

Car air conditioner smells like vinegar.

Why your car smells like vinegar. Vinegar when the air coming from your air conditioner smells sour like vinegar the problem could be from an electric motor that is emitting ozone. Then turn the air conditioning back on to see if it returns. Spray a disinfectant spray into every vent including the vents on the dashboard near your feet and in the backseat.

Possible causes of a vinegar. If the vinegar smell only occurs when you re using your car s air conditioner that indicates that the problem is in the ac rather than in another component. When you turn on your car s air conditioner you should receive a flow of cold air that cools the cabin. If you notice strange smells coming from the air vents there s a problem.

The actual nature of that problem will depend on what you re smelling. Other possible reasons could be excess condensation on the coils a malfunctioning filter a clogged condensate pan or mold in the ductwork. To eliminate odor from a car air conditioner sit in the car but make sure the car ac and fan are all turned off. This is due to micro organisms that have accumulated over time in the system vents.

This smell needs to be removed not only because it causes discomfort for other passengers but also because the micro organisms behind it can cause allergy type illnesses. To double check drive around without operating the air conditioner the smell will likely only occur when it s running. As it gets used your car s air conditioning begins to emit a bad smell when you turn it on. Of course that sour and acidic smell coming from your a c isn t actual vinegar like the type you buy at the store but the cause can be something similar.

It shouldn t have any discernible smell. Causes of bad odors. If it goes away turn on the air conditioner again to see if it returns. If you ve ever had this happen in your car or been riding in a vehicle with the problem you know exactly what we re talking about.