2020 Mazda CX5 - Faint Smell from AC Vents?

[Deamos]

Hi all,

I've noticed recently that when I first turn on the AC in my CX5 I'm getting a faint smell out of the AC vents. It is most noticeable for the first couple of minutes, then fades away. My cabin air filter is more or less clean and only has a couple of thousand miles on it. AC otherwise works fine.

The smell is fishy, not sweet to my nose.

Trying to figure this out before I take to the independent shop I started using. Their first reaction was, "We won't know until it's here; we may have to pull the dash apart," which I hope won't be necessary.

Edit: Just realized what I am smelling may be a slow coolant leak in the dash. Time to call the dealer and potentially exercise my extended warranty. Thoughts would still be appreciated.

 

[Nick1994]

When parking, flip it over to outside air, not recirculate. This way the evaporator can dry out easier.

 

[Propflux01]

Right before your trip is done, turn off the A/C button (so that the compressor stops working). The air will become warm. This helps prevent the funk from accumulating on the evaporator. In the meantime, you can try running the heater to full hot, cycling it between defrost, floor, etc. Do this for about 5-10 minutes, and most of the time it will “burn off” (for lack of better description) the funk on the evaporator and the smell should go away. Next time you get under the car, ensure the drain tube is clear.

 

[Mechanician]

You can also try BG Frigi-Fresh for a temporary fix, the funk will return at some point. I see it's available on Amazon.

 

[Fitter30]

Look at the coolant level in the reservoir. Might also have a film inside windshield.

 

[Deamos]

Look at the coolant level in the reservoir. Might also have a film inside windshield.

Hrm, coolant hasn't changed, though I do have to clear a film off the inside of the windshield from time to time. It seems like this could be an either/or kind of thing.

The bit that throws me off is the sort of fishy smell that smells more like it could be a coolant thing than mildew. I'm used to mildew/mold smelling musty or like feet. But Google tells me mildew/mold could be fishy as well. Going to order some spray stuff and see if that helps. Getting access to the drain seems like it may be a pain in the rear on the CX5.

 

[walterjay]

I used a coil cleaner a couple years ago. From Amazon and can't remember the name. It cured the funk pretty much long term.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I used a coil cleaner a couple years ago. From Amazon and can't remember the name. It cured the funk pretty much long term.

Time to search the past orders to share details.

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

Have you smelled Freon to be familiar with knowing what an evaporator leak would smell like?

 

[Glenda W.]

Time for some evaporator disinfectant. I spray it directly into the A/C drain.

 

[Exhaustgases]

light a flame if it goes poof you know you have a leak.