HVAC intake location.

[DstryEvrytng]

Does anyone know where the HVAC system intakes its air?

I got my SHO back from the dealer and when the ac is on it reeks like a rotting corpse. Im sure there is a mouse or chipmonk somewhere that went off duty from its meaningless vermin life. Lol.

Either that or the dealer techs arw annoyed enough that they sprayed “rotting corpse stink” on the cabin filter. The filter smells like death pretty friggin bad.

 

[ZSHO]

I think its inside the glove box IIRC!  Need to remove the glove box in order to gain access.  Z

 

[DstryEvrytng]

I got in there and pulled the cabin filter. I assumed there would be an intake for outside air somewhere in the engine bay because of my recent burnt oil smell issue (valve cover leak). I cant find any duct work for HVAC under the hood though.

Inside the cabin filter box is super clean so idk if there is a critter somewhere in the ducts or not. I assume no because the filter stinks meaning (in my simple noggin) that the critter is up stream of the filter. I can also smell it in the engine bay but not nearly as steong as through the AC when it is on.

 

[ZSHO]

Drive it for a couple of miles with A/C OFF and set the Fans to HIGH in order to Dry the HVAC Core and see if it helps!! CABIN Filter wet! Z 

 

[DstryEvrytng]

Good call. It has been humid the past week. Will try!

 

[Izzybird]

Doesn’t look like much room for anything unless it’s post filter.

 

[DstryEvrytng]

The filter was still intact so i dont think a critter got through it.
Either Z is right with a mold type situation or there is a dead critter somewhere in the engine compartment. 

I ran the blower on its own for 20 mins and the smell went from rotting carcass to more of a rly dirty sock odor. Lol.
I guess thats progress.

 

[SHOdded]

Possibly an issue with a clogged condeNsate drain, not sure if the SHO has one.  Would try spraying a good amount of lysol in the cowling intake area with the engine running and heat on MAX.

 

[DstryEvrytng]

Possibly an issue with a clogged condeNsate drain, not sure if the SHO has one.  Would try spraying a good amount of lysol in the cowling intake area with the engine running and heat on MAX.

This is starting to work. I used windex because i had it right in the garage for changing motorcycle tires and it has a decent amount of amonia in it. Also found the cowl for the HVAC system. I feel like a retard now, it was pretty obvious. Pic shows where the HVAC intakes air, in between the sweet ass napkins that are being sucked into the cowl.

Idk if it is a clogged drain or if the windex is just cleaning crap but its working.

Thanks!! You guys fuggin rock!!

 

[shoNoff]

Head to your local parts store and pick up a can of ac fresh. May be under a different name by you. But it’s a spray you put down the cowl to deal with mold and mildew build up in the ac system.

 

[SHOdded]

BG has a FrigiFresh product.

Motorcraft YN29
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/product.asp?product=A/C%20Cooling%20Coil%20Coating&category=A/C%20and%20Engine%20Cooling%20Products

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=BG+Frigi+clean&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ABG+Frigi+clean

 

[ZSHO]

I have used the ATP Carbon cabin filters in the past with very good results.
Sometimes a little preventative maintenance goes a long way. 

I think
www.rockauto.com has them for a relatively cheap price to safeguard your vehicle from Mold and the elements.  Z 

$6.57 ea

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2013,taurus,3.5l+v6+turbocharged,1503823,heat+&+air+conditioning,cabin+air+filter,6832

 

[DstryEvrytng]

I went to Napa this morning and they dont carry any AC cleaner that you spray through the cowl. Weird, not even in the catalog. So i ordered the stuff you spray into the vents.

Later today im going to get some lysol to spray through the cowl. If that doesnt kill it ill order that BG stuff. The windex helped a lot but its still kinda smelly.

Also going to order those carbon filters for both rides. Thats a rippin deal, Auto Zone wants $30 for them.

Last night i went through every nook and cranny i could get into in the engine bay. Vaccumed out quite a bit of maple seeds and various other crap the chipmonks are bringing in. At this point im sure the smell is a mold issue but now im also on a mission to get the chipmonks away from my garage.

In my old 6 liter they would literally fill the valley of the motor with maple seeds. It was way easier to clean them out of that big pig tho.

 

[ZSHO]

Possibly an issue with a clogged condeNsate drain, not sure if the SHO has one.  Would try spraying a good amount of lysol in the cowling intake area with the engine running and heat on MAX.

This is starting to work. I used windex because i had it right in the garage for changing motorcycle tires and it has a decent amount of amonia in it. Also found the cowl for the HVAC system. I feel like a retard now, it was pretty obvious. Pic shows where the HVAC intakes air, in between the sweet ass napkins that are being sucked into the cowl.

Idk if it is a clogged drain or if the windex is just cleaning crap but its working.

Thanks!! You guys fuggin rock!!

I just noticed you were a fellow New Yorker! small world.  Z

 

[DstryEvrytng]

Yeah.
So your also dealing with this heat and humidity lately.

I need to brush up on my interweb picture posting security. Lol

 

[SHOdded]

Z will still hone in on you.  He has magical ways

 

[DstryEvrytng]

Guess i need to fire up the vpn and run it through tor. Lols

I ran about 1/4 bottle of lysol through the system, just blower, heat on and ac on. It seems to be working great. After another hour or so im going to check her again to see if it needs another application.

Thx for the lysol idea. Id hate to have that smell set into the interior, i dont think it would ever go away if it got i to the carpet and roof liner.

 

[SHOdded]

There are interior deodorizer products as well, mainly for pet urine / cigarette smoke type stuff.  If you want to go that route, I will look them up.  Been a while.

 

[DstryEvrytng]

Back in my hs days we used this stuff called Ozium (i think). It rly killed old stale smoke smell in your car.

This stuff
https://www.amazon.com/Eliminator-Sanitizer-Freshener-Outdoor-Essence/dp/B00P851KU6/ref=asc_df_B00P851KU6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242032081623&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1306767322593090795&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005009&hvtargid=pla-438365483715&psc=1

You can get it at wal mart for around $7

Luckily the SHO interior doesnt stink yet.

 

[Izzybird]

Back in my hs days we used this stuff called Ozium (i think). It rly killed old stale smoke smell in your car.

This stuff
https://www.amazon.com/Eliminator-Sanitizer-Freshener-Outdoor-Essence/dp/B00P851KU6/ref=asc_df_B00P851KU6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242032081623&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1306767322593090795&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005009&hvtargid=pla-438365483715&psc=1

You can get it at wal mart for around $7

Luckily the SHO interior doesnt stink yet.

Ha, I’d forgotten all about that stuff, we must be close to the same age.