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Quick Answer: Why Does My Car Air Conditioner Smell Like Rotten Eggs

Rotten Egg Smell Coming from Car Vents A rotten egg smell in your car often indicates a malfunctioning part in the fuel system. If the catalytic converter, fuel filters, or fuel pressure sensors are worn out or damaged, a sulfur gas can leak out and make its way into your car’s cabin.

Why does my car smell like rotten eggs when I turn on the AC?

Dirty Cabin air filter: Your air filters can also cause a musty smell coming out when you turn on your car ac. If the AC filter clogs, it will attract dust, dirt, and other harmful pollutants. Rotten egg smell, musty, fishy, or gas smell can be due to mold and bacteria growth in your vehicle.

How do I get the rotten egg smell out of my car?

The best way to remove the smell of rotten eggs from your car is to replace the faulty part causing the smell. This could be a catalytic converter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, or even old transmission fluid. Once the appropriate part gets replaced, the smell should disappear.

How do you fix a smelly car air conditioner?

How to Prevent Musty, Mildew Smells from Car AC Turn off the AC 2-5 minutes before you shut off your vehicle but leave the fan on. Clean or replace your AC filters. Spray an antiseptic into the exterior air vents (where your car pulls air from outside into the car from).

Can I drive my car if it smells like rotten eggs?

As soon as you notice this strange rotten egg smell and it lingers, bring your vehicle into the experts here at Premier Automotive Service. Driving with a bad catalytic converter can be harmful to you and your passengers because you can be inhaling toxic fumes.

Why does my AC smell like sewage?

Like with a rotten egg smell, a sewage smell coming from your air conditioner can indicate a hazardous cause. If you smell sewage when you turn on your A/C unit, your sewer system may have backed up into your house or near your unit, and the smell may come from a ruptured pipe.

What causes a rotten egg smell?

Is there is an odor in your home that smells like rotten eggs. First, the rotten egg smell that you are experiencing is most likely hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. Hydrogen sulfide gas is a natural product of decay, and in a residential setting, is most commonly a result of decomposition in septic or sewer systems.

Is it safe to spray Lysol in car vents?

On the outside of your vehicle at the bottom of the windshield, you’ll see air intake vents. With the AC fan running at full power, you should be able to feel air being sucked in. Take the can of Lysol and spray into this vent thoroughly and on both the driver’s and passenger’s side.

Why does my car AC smell like wet dog?

More likely than not, you’ve built up some mold and mildew thanks to moisture in your AC system. This moisture occurs naturally, and is part of the car, but if left for too long it can create mold. Note: This article deals with AC odors, which are moldy, mildewy smells (like old socks, wet dogs, etc.).

Why does my car smell like fart?

A rotten egg smell brings to mind several sources, like an old lunch left under the seat or flatulence. If that’s the case, it’s an easy fix. Otherwise, it likely means a poorly running engine and/or catalytic converter issues. The poor running engine might be causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded.

Why does it smell like rotten eggs outside?

Natural gas, which is primarily methane, doesn’t actually have any odor at all. So for safety, most gas companies add small quantities of a compound call Mercaptan. It’s what gives it the smell of rotten eggs and this is for safety so people know when there is a gas leak.

Why does it smell when I turn my AC on in my car?

Your A/C Smells Like Mildew or Mold As your vehicle ages, bacteria can grow in the system where moisture typically collects — particularly on the A/C’s evaporator. When this happens, a pungent, mildew-like smell can get blasted into your cabin through your A/C vents.

Why does my AC smell funny?

In short, a musty smell indicates bacterial growth build-up, which forms on the drain, evaporator coil, or in the drip pan or drain line of your AC. Your evaporator coil is a dark and humid location, so all sorts of mold and mildew can grow, which causes that unpleasant, musty smell. Check if your AC drain pan is full.

Why does my AC smell like sour milk?

Deep inside your air conditioner, dust and water and heat are working in conjunction to provide an environment perfectly conducive to fungus, mold and mildew growth. And that sour smell now emanating outward is probably originating from the drip tray, where condensation collects as a pool of dusty, dirty water.

Can anode rod causing rotten egg smell?

The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor.

How do I get the vinegar smell out of my car AC?

The best way to remove the acidic vinegar smell in your vehicle’s AC is by trying specialized automotive HVAC antifungal spray. If that doesn’t work then take it to a trustworthy mechanic. Taking the car to a professional eliminates guesswork and mitigates the risk involved if you try to fix it.