Hey guys. First post here. I have read up a little on the mold issue with this car, but with no resolution. This is my wife's car and every time she turns on the ac, the car smells of mold, and it's pretty bad. I want to fix this myself, and need to know what and how if that's possible. No water intrusion, and the car stays in the garage. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

I would start with replacing the cabin/dust/pollen filter if you have not done that yet.

 

I feel your pain on that, Mike. Most cars get the funky odor in the air conditioning system from time to time. The obvious should be explored first. Have you checked to see that a dead animal is not stuck & decomposing in the duct system? It happens more than you might think. OK, does your wife keep an untidy car, like old food items, coffee, etc left about inside car? Smells can linger for weeks. Do you have a cockroach or maggot problem in the garage you store it in by chance? Unbeknownst to me, one of my grankids once stuffed a couple sticks of string cheese down the vents near windshield, I reckon it smelled like rotting stinky feet for months before we found it and dug it out with a coat hanger, that smell is still present a bit but tolerable. Check those things first. I'll think further about this. Best, Bill

 

A few weeks ago, when I turned off the A/C (while still blowing air) I was getting a nasty smell for 2-3 minutes.

I did this a couple of times: run the A/C a few minutes, then shut it off, then let the fan at a higher speed blow warm air from outside for a while. As of today it seems to have fixed most of the smell.

 

yep, i would also check air conditioning system first on youre volvo


volvo

 

Hey guys thanks for the comments. Ok, is this something I can do? Or do I need a dedicated Volvo mechanic to take care of it? I do think it has something to do with the filters. How many filters are there and where are they located? Thanks again guys, you have been a huge help so far.

 

Try replacing the cabin filter first as previously mentioned. It's located under the passener side glove compartment above footwell. If i remember well you'll have to undo a couple of screws and the plastic cover might be quite a bitch to remove but it's certainly within anyone's abilities.
If i'm not mistaken there are deodorant / air frehener products for the duct system as well...

 

Might also need the dealer to turn on Afterblow to dry out the evaporator case after use.