Replacing cabin air filter and cleaning evaporator fins in 2021-2022 MS

[Audietron]

Bacteria is everywhere but drying the system is key. If no outside air is introduced and moisture is trapped then you have a multiplying ecosystem.

right on point... reducing the breeding ground or stopping bacteria build-up in first place. bad ones at least.
it still would be temporary.... but better than replacing filter very frequently.

 

[bdubONE]

Update.... had the system foam cleaned at Tesla SC. Smell gone. The smell in mine got so bad that it started smelling like ammonia. I don't know what they did, what procedure the followed or anything like that. What I do know is they charged me 300 bucks for that service.

Which to me is bullshit. It's a 2022 S.... I shouldn't be having this issue at all. Never once experienced this issue with my Audi and it cost half as much as this Tesla and the service was 10 times better.

 

[Audietron]

Update.... had the system foam cleaned at Tesla SC. Smell gone. The smell in mine got so bad that it started smelling like ammonia. I don't know what they did, what procedure the followed or anything like that. What I do know is they charged me 300 bucks for that service.

Which to me is bullshit. It's a 2022 S.... I shouldn't be having this issue at all. Never once experienced this issue with my Audi and it cost half as much as this Tesla and the service was 10 times better.

I would assume something like this would be done under warranty or charges zeroed as gesture from Tesla... Audi and most other dealers would do for sure.

 

[bdubONE]

I would have thought the same. But nope. I was charged 300 bucks.

 

[Duke846]

I haven't done it, but here's a suggestion.

The cabin filter is placed before the evaporator coil. This picture shows the direction of the airflow, so you know which way the evaporator coil is located from the cabin filter.

View attachment 916434

If you take the filter out and cover the hole with the filter removed and put the Kool It hose down the ducting in the direction of airflow, you can turn the fan on and continuously spray the foam so that it travels to the coil and covers it.

To make it easier for current and future treatments, you could drill a small hole into the plastic cabin filter cover to insert the hose, and then plug the small hole afterwards with a rubber stopper, or even some duct or electrical tape from the inside. The blower is upstream of the filter, so the cabin filter area is positively pressured and dry so the tape will stay in place when put on the inside. Some evaporator cleaners come with those same instructions and rubber plugs to do exactly that for treating the coil, so it's not some radical idea.

It’s not there. I would strongly suggest not doing that.

 

[TLLMRRJ]

It’s not there. I would strongly suggest not doing that.

What bad thing would happen? The foam cleaner is designed to go through the whole system.

 

[Duke846]

What bad thing would happen? The foam cleaner is designed to go through the whole system.

You would pretty much just spray your passenger foot well.

It’s not really sealed look at yours again.

 

[bdubONE]

sigh.........another update.......... smell is back. This is getting stupid. The only good thing is, after the ac is running for a bit, the smell does go away, where before it just blew smelly air. Now, its stinks for the first few minutes the air is on, then it goes away for the rest of the ride. EITHER WAY.... its a damn 2022, this shouldnt be doing this. I think the design is screwed up or something. Stuff like this makes it easier for me to start looking at different EVs coming out from other more well established auto makers.

 

[NewbyMaybe]

How often do you turn off the recirculation? Does AUTO mode allow fresh air into the system?

 

[Duke846]

sigh.........another update.......... smell is back. This is getting stupid. The only good thing is, after the ac is running for a bit, the smell does go away, where before it just blew smelly air. Now, its stinks for the first few minutes the air is on, then it goes away for the rest of the ride. EITHER WAY.... its a damn 2022, this shouldnt be doing this. I think the design is screwed up or something. Stuff like this makes it easier for me to start looking at different EVs coming out from other more well established auto makers.

It’s common on everything. I am working on a fix, I will let all here know and make a YT vid. I believe the fix will be removal of the front heap filter and spraying coil cleaner in from the hood.
Yes bad design. The 3/y is even worse.

 

[Duke846]

How often do you turn off the recirculation? Does AUTO mode allow fresh air into the system?

It’s called Elon’s MUSK!!!!!

 

[Audietron]

It’s called Elon’s MUSK!!!!!

at times it literally smells like it!!!

 

[MFrunkerOG]

It’s common on everything. I am working on a fix, I will let all here know and make a YT vid. I believe the fix will be removal of the front heap filter and spraying coil cleaner in from the hood.
Yes bad design. The 3/y is even worse.

There’s this service instruction (1810) called evaporator thermister remove / replace. Have you seen that one?

Spraying the cleaner through the thermister hole?

 

[Duke846]

There’s this service instruction (1810) called evaporator thermister remove / replace. Have you seen that one?

Spraying the cleaner through the thermister hole?

I have. I don’t think that’s the answer.
Right now the only for sure way is up the drain hole, that’s not a very good option for most of us.

 

[MFrunkerOG]

I have. I don’t think that’s the answer.
Right now the only for sure way is up the drain hole, that’s not a very good option for most of us.

Is the issue with the thermister hole approach that the airflow area isn’t sealed and it’ll leak or something else?

 

[Duke846]

Is the issue with the thermister hole approach that the airflow area isn’t sealed and it’ll leak or something else?

I would love for tesla to tell me no. They are kinda treating that like a last resort fix, raising suspicions with me for sure. I should get more clarification this week.

 

[emailforbrett]

My 2021 S has had this issue since I bought it. The vinegar smell lasts the first minute after the car starts then it goes away. It’s strong during that first minute, though.

 

[MFrunkerOG]

I would love for tesla to tell me no. They are kinda treating that like a last resort fix, raising suspicions with me for sure. I should get more clarification this week.

Looking forward to it! I just finished a rancid drive and cannot wait to kill every single fargin aisehole mold spore that stink bombed me today!

 

[yerEVan]

Looking forward to it! I just finished a rancid drive and cannot wait to kill every single fargin aisehole mold spore that stink bombed me today!

Michael Keaton, is that you?

 

[Duke846]

Is the issue with the thermister hole approach that the airflow area isn’t sealed and it’ll leak or something else?

Passenger foot floor vent. Only way to get to coil. Must have foot floor on to access.