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Old 08-02-2020, 12:29 PM   #1
laffstang
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Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

I spent a lot of time wondering if I should ask this question, but here goes: Has anyone experienced their a/c or vent air smelling like crap- literally? Ever since I got the Mach out of storage this spring, every time I turn the fan on, it smells like I'm driving by a cattle farm. It doesn't matter if it's vent, a/c or max a/c. Does anyone have a clue as to what it might be?
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Old 08-02-2020, 01:22 PM   #2
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

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Originally Posted by laffstang View Post
I spent a lot of time wondering if I should ask this question, but here goes: Has anyone experienced their a/c or vent air smelling like crap- literally? Ever since I got the Mach out of storage this spring, every time I turn the fan on, it smells like I'm driving by a cattle farm. It doesn't matter if it's vent, a/c or max a/c. Does anyone have a clue as to what it might be?
sounds like maybe something nested and/or died in the HVAC system? i'd say replace the cabin air filter but i'm pretty sure the mustangs didn't have one until 2005. you can drop the blower motor out of the box and check for any foreign weirdness up in there as well...it's held in with a few screws above the front passengers feet (there are videos on youtube for a quick guide if you are unfamiliar). fresh air is pulled through the wiper cowl, but the max a/c setting should put the hvac system into recirculate mode so if you are still experiencing the smell it may not be the source. i would recommend setting the hvac for recirc (or max a/c) before shutting it off to store it for the winter to keep anything from getting in through the fresh air blend door in the future.
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Old 08-02-2020, 03:33 PM   #3
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Thanks for the advice. I'll check out the blower motor. I couldn't find any info for a cabin filter for 2004.
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Old 08-02-2020, 04:50 PM   #4
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

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Originally Posted by laffstang View Post
I spent a lot of time wondering if I should ask this question, but here goes: Has anyone experienced their a/c or vent air smelling like crap- literally? Ever since I got the Mach out of storage this spring, every time I turn the fan on, it smells like I'm driving by a cattle farm. It doesn't matter if it's vent, a/c or max a/c. Does anyone have a clue as to what it might be?
RATS!!!!!! Look for droppings in the engine compartment and the a/c intake plenum in the cowl area. Been there done that!

Last edited by Stormin Norman; 08-22-2020 at 12:23 PM.
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Old 08-02-2020, 08:20 PM   #5
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

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Thanks for the advice. I'll check out the blower motor. I couldn't find any info for a cabin filter for 2004.
No cabin air filter on our cars. Started in 2005.

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Old 08-02-2020, 10:12 PM   #6
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

A cat pooped on the windshield cowl of my honda when I was at work a couple years ago. As soon as the air started coming over the hood, it was unbearable. I made it to about the first gas station and pulled over and found it. I'd check down in those slots in the cowl and everywhere under the hood for evidence of rodents. Since you stored the car, there's a good chance that's what it is.
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Old 08-08-2020, 09:21 PM   #7
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Mouse
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Old 08-09-2020, 10:06 AM   #8
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

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Mouse
Agree with Big block.. had a Chrysler LHS, went on a vacation at the beginning of Winter, left it parked at the Airport for a week and a half. Came back and found napkins and insurance slip all chewed up in the glove box. Could not find any rodent but then about 2 weeks later the smell in the vents was disgusting.
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Old 08-09-2020, 11:45 AM   #9
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

It’s a dead mouse.
Just a question of finding it.
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Old 08-12-2020, 08:08 AM   #10
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

I'm pretty sure it's not just a dead mouse. I know what that smells like, and it should have gone away by now, right?
However, mice are definitely involved. I went to the car wash to power wash the engine. I popped the hood, and there was Mr. Mouse standing on the battery, staring at me. He then jumped into a hole in the fender. I sprayed the heck out of that hole.
On the way home, the car still stunk. I took off the cowl near the windshield, pulled the cabin fan motor, blew compressed air everywhere, but the smell continues.
By the way, Mr. Mouse hopped out of that fender hole, on top of the battery, dry and cool as can be. So, with my cat-like reflexes, well... the mouse is no more.
So, what's my next step? Max A/C doesn't smell, but regular a/c and vent do.
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Old 08-12-2020, 06:05 PM   #11
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Max AC pulls from under the dash on the passenger side. I would start looking for dead critters there.
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Old 08-12-2020, 10:37 PM   #12
laffstang
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Max a/c does not have the smell. It's only on vent or regular a/c.
When I removed the blower motor and felt around with my hand, I was able to pull small amounts of grass from beneath the heater core, but saw no evidence of mouse droppings. Not convinced that it was a rodent nest, but I could be wrong.
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Old 08-13-2020, 04:17 PM   #13
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Sorry, read it backwards.
Non recirc modes pull from the cowl, so pull off the cowl plastic and start working in from there.
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Old 08-22-2020, 09:00 AM   #14
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Stink-mystery solved. I had a friend look around with a boroscope, and found a softball sized mouse nest under the cowl, near the "fresh" air intake. We couldn't vacuum or blow it out, but were finally able to grab it with a cable retrieving tool (don't know what it's called). It came out in one disgusting chunk.
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Old 08-22-2020, 12:25 PM   #15
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

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Sorry, read it backwards.
Non recirc modes pull from the cowl, so pull off the cowl plastic and start working in from there.
Be careful. The cowl cover is delicate.
By the way they will piss on anything and that smells worse that the turds.
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Old 08-22-2020, 09:42 PM   #16
laffstang
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

Yeah. I found out just how delicate the cowl is, especially around the windshield wiper hole.
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Old 08-23-2020, 08:33 AM   #17
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

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Originally Posted by laffstang View Post
Yeah. I found out just how delicate the cowl is, especially around the windshield wiper hole.
And remember if its the original cowl panel that plastic is pretty brittle just from age (kinda like me). I bought an OEM replacement from LMR about a year ago, and also the aftermarket one for my dad's 2003 V-6. Honestly the Am one fit just fine...but...

Glad you found the nest. We get tons of claims due to rodents...Walked up on a few that you could barely get closer than 10feet to the vehicle without wretching...
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Old 08-25-2020, 10:16 AM   #18
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

The crack on the cowl piece can hardly be seen when it's installed. I was thinking the the next time I remove it, I'd apply some JB weld to the underside.
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85 GT, Burgandy, t-tops, traded for the '90, but not forgotten
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Old 08-25-2020, 06:47 PM   #19
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Re: Vent and a/c air smells like a$$

If it's cracked, it'll be the first of many. Plan on replacing it, it's not that hard. The plastic succumbs to the UV and it fall to pieces, literally.

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