1995 850 Turbo Wagon.

There is a sour milk odor in the ventilation system and I don't know how to get rid of it. Its been there since I got the car used in 2000. I have removed the plastic cover on the cowling and cleaned out compost that accumulates in the corners (which are for some reason designed to be un-drained), and sprayed various deodorants directly into the intake fan and the vents themselves.

The odor sometimes goes away in cold weather, and seems to dissipate after running the fan for a while if the weather is not too hot.

From reading other posts I get the impression that the A/C evaporator might be an area where organic junk accumulates; if so how do I get to it to clean it? Where else can I clean?

& the evaporator is leaking freon to the point where it loses its charge after a week or so. I've seen the post on replacing it.

 

Replace the Evap. since it is leaking bad.
Also install a pollen filter.

 

Replacing the evaporator may be economically unfeasable. Where do I get a pollen filter & where does it go -- I would guess under the cowl in the big air intake hole?

Any way to get to the cause of the stink other than dis-assembling the dash area?

 

The only way to try to address the stick would be to remove the resistor and try to soak the evaperator with the Spray to kill the smell.

Yes the pollen filter will go into the big hole.
http://www2.swedishpartswholesale.co...r&dp=false

There is the filter but you will also need the housing that holds it.
I don't see if there on the site. The dealer carries them.

 

What resistor where?

Does this open up a hole large enough to look in there with a mirror? Could I stick in a high pressure washer wand and spray it around to loosen up anything that might be growing in there?

I suppose I would want to verify that the drain pathway is wide open first.

 

You will have to remove the glove box insert.
Then the lower dash panel.
Then the knee bolster.
Then you can look in and see the evaperator.
I wouldn't try a pressure washer maybe something like lysol or febreeze.

 

Greetings from Vermont.

In addition to Tech's suggestions, I would start the engine, open all windows, set the blower at full-blast, tun the A/C on andspray deodorant into the ventilation air intake, and keep spraying until the can is empty (I know you've done this, but try Fabreeze to see if it works). Also, you could perhaps try charcoal-based filters inside the ducts. You could buy a shoe insole, cut them up to correct sizes and tape them inside ducts or near the evaporator with both-sided tape as a last resort.

Good luck,


JPN