Antifungal spray for cabin air filter

[stopcrazypp]

From what people have been saying in these forum threads, they do have AC coil drying automated in some fashion. This was added to the software back some time in 2021. I think the automated drying mode does work most of the time because not everyone complains about the smell. Unfortunately once the car start stinking, maybe the automated mode coded in by Tesla isn't aggressive enough in drying out moisture, because no matter if I toggle the recirc on or off before parking, the stink continued until I started doing the AC off/Max fan ritual.

The automated fan activation has a 20-ish minute delay in order to not annoy the driver. It works to prevent it occuring before it occurs. But I think after the smell starts happening, it has been shown to become ineffective. My theory is that the delay allows the mold/bacteria/whatever to multiply enough that drying it later is not effective enough.

So one way would be to allow owners to tweak the delay time.

 

[Level8Drummer]

So far the combination of antifungal spray and running the fan for a couple of minutes on high with the air conditioning off recirculate off has been working pretty well.

 

[EnzoXYZ]

I replaced the filters in my model Y last week with two genuine Tesla filters and used a can of kool it and the smell returned after a couple of days. Not sure what else to do

Think about replacing the F'N car is my next move. Filter isn't the problem and never was. We been tricked yet again thinking it's the filter. I used all type of cleaning agent including the all mighty 1:10 bleach and no matter the amount and duration on the coil, it doesn't help.

My guess now is it isn't the filter and it isn't the coil.

 

[father_of_6]

I've never even replaced the cabin filter in any other vehicle, and never experienced this issue. I'm reasonably confident that Tesla isn't the *only* manufacturer to have this issue, I've just never experienced it personally until now.

It's certainly a design flaw. That said, Tesla has designed many new things in the course of their history... not every one of them can be winners (A/C smell and wipers). I'd rather live with this design flaw than the multitude of design flaws that constitute the internal combustion engine.

Crossing fingers they'll get the A/C system sorted out in a future revision.

 

[M109Rider]

Think about replacing the F'N car is my next move. Filter isn't the problem and never was. We been tricked yet again thinking it's the filter. I used all type of cleaning agent including the all mighty 1:10 bleach and no matter the amount and duration on the coil, it doesn't help.

My guess now is it isn't the filter and it isn't the coil.

Bleach corrodes many metals, including aluminum. I think that was a hasty decision. ….
It is 100% the coils. Each time I’ve had them cleaned, the smell is gone. The last time was for a very long time.
The filter is replaced at the same time, because it’s due.
I suppose if the cleaning or spray is not done we’ll or is not hitting the entire coil, it could come back quickly.

 

[Level8Drummer]

Yes Enzo, try my spray before you get rid of the car. It works great.

 

[father_of_6]

Yes Enzo, try my spray before you get rid of the car. It works great.

Oh, now I see. This whole thread was a sales pitch.

 

[EnzoXYZ]

Oh, now I see. This whole thread was a sales pitch.

The X does look more appealing with the price drops!

 

[EnzoXYZ]

Bleach corrodes many metals, including aluminum. I think that was a hasty decision. ….
It is 100% the coils. Each time I’ve had them cleaned, the smell is gone. The last time was for a very long time.
The filter is replaced at the same time, because it’s due.
I suppose if the cleaning or spray is not done we’ll or is not hitting the entire coil, it could come back quickly.

I mean its that or getting rid of a great car with $10K FSD that will cost $15K next time...

 

[Level8Drummer]

If I owned a large chemical company I'd be driving a model s plaid, not a 3 performance lol

 

[father_of_6]

If I owned a large chemical company I'd be driving a model s plaid, not a 3 performance lol

Eh. I prefer the 3 over the S. The S is a boat.

Does the S/X suffer from this smelly design flaw?

 

[Ti317]

The Tesla tech just left (glovebox replacement) and he said he has the solution that he has seen work without fail.
Park the car in a closed garage, not carport, and place a dehumidifier in front of the air intake in the nose. Set it to “basement” setting so that it gets down to about 40% before cutting out.
He says that if this is done after a foam cleaning, the smell never returns.

it sounds logical.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Eh. I prefer the 3 over the S. The S is a boat.

Does the S/X suffer from this smelly design flaw?

Interval is less but there are reported cases. AC smell can happen in any car, just the interval may be different. Model S/X uses a bigger system, so that will help it (air may be more diluted), as well as later models having HEPA filter which helps block the contaminants from entering system.

Vinegar smell inside in the morning

so lately my car smells of vinegar when I get in after parking overnight in my garage. It quickly goes away as I start to drive, and I don't notice it again for a few days. My daughter noticed it too. I generally don't eat in my car, and don't have much stored in the center console other than...

teslamotorsclub.com

2018 MX 100D......vinegar smell when starting ac

I see there are a lot of threads on how to fix this issue with the model 3 but I'm not having any luck with the model X. I just changed the cabin filter and I run the AC with circulation OFF but I still have this bad smell when I first turn on the ac. Anyone have this issue and a remedy for it...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[beachsideev]

The Tesla tech just left (glovebox replacement) and he said he has the solution that he has seen work without fail.
Park the car in a closed garage, not carport, and place a dehumidifier in front of the air intake in the nose. Set it to “basement” setting so that it gets down to about 40% before cutting out.
He says that if this is done after a foam cleaning, the smell never returns.

it sounds logical.

I don't see how that could work for me.

Also, that isn't where the intake is

 

[M109Rider]

I mean its that or getting rid of a great car with $10K FSD that will cost $15K next time...

There are many more safe anti microbial sprays other than Bleach. Also the service centre can do it for you, and it lasts a good long time.
Or you can go for another car. Many other brands have this issue also, so do the homework.

 

[EnzoXYZ]

There are many more safe anti microbial sprays other than Bleach. Also the service centre can do it for you, and it lasts a good long time.
Or you can go for another car. Many other brands have this issue also, so do the homework.

Which antimicrobial worked for you and do you suggest? Thanks.

 

[Ti317]

I don't see how that could work for me.

Also, that isn't where the intake is

Not the AC intake but the under the car vent for the battery. In a garage all the surrounding air will be dried out.
If low humidity is not going to cut down on fungal/bacterial growth we may as well set fire to our cars.

 

[beachsideev]

Where did the tech claim the smell was coming from?

Also, no dehumidifier is going to dry out my garage. Not to mention it is impractical.

 

[M109Rider]

Which antimicrobial worked for you and do you suggest? Thanks.

Not sure what you have there, but Home Depot usually sells products like microban, benefect, or other antimicrobials. You can use the foam AC cleaner to remove particulates. Then the antimicrobial.

 

[Level8Drummer]

Which antimicrobial worked for you and do you suggest? Thanks.

Scroll back a bit and read the first post. It's listed.