General Bad smell after driving

[lycopersicum]

I've got a weird smell problem with my van (x250):
- it's been happening for about 6 months
- some describe it as moldy socks, I perceive it as primarily oily or fishy with hints of mold
- it only happens during/after driving. I can't smell it during the drive as it comes gradually but it's very obvious when I come back to the parked van.
- once aired out the smell does not return until I drive again.
- it doesn't seem to depend much on the settings of the climate control. Airflow, heat, recirculation etc. make no obvious difference.

I've replaced the cabin filter; made no difference. The AC is not working for an unknown reason.

I can't find anything obvious in the habitation that could be the source and the procedure for getting to the heater core involves 38 steps in elearn

Any idea of things to check before I resort to ozone in desperation?

 

[AnthonyH]

A mouldy smell can be caused by excess moisture in the carpets. If there is any water ingress or sweating fix that firstly.

 

[deejays]

I've got a weird smell problem with my van (x250):
- it's been happening for about 6 months
- some describe it as moldy socks, I perceive it as primarily oily or fishy with hints of mold
- it only happens during/after driving. I can't smell it during the drive as it comes gradually but it's very obvious when I come back to the parked van.
- once aired out the smell does not return until I drive again.
- it doesn't seem to depend much on the settings of the climate control. Airflow, heat, recirculation etc. make no obvious difference.

I've replaced the cabin filter; made no difference. The AC is not working for an unknown reason.

I can't find anything obvious in the habitation that could be the source and the procedure for getting to the heater core involves 38 steps in elearn

Any idea of things to check before I resort to ozone in desperation?

Perhaps a dying battery gassing out as it is being charged - but they normally give off a rotten egg/sulphurous smell

 

[Mike1alike]

An AC mold is the source of the bad smell. It develops inside the vent channels, high humidity helps it. Replacing the filter is not enough, you gotta use some dedicated products to clean the vent tubes. I recommend a cleaning foam with minty smell, like this one in photo.
I had that problem when I bought the car, very bad smell. Fixed it using cleaning foam. Last year too, after 10 years, I felt it's starting to be a problem again. Used this minty foam and fixed it. Also, the car smelled really nice, minty, pretty long time after using the foam.

 

[Communicator]

I was puzzled by a bad smell while, and after driving a Ford car many years ago.
Eventually I discovered a failing connection on the ventilation fan speed control resistor.

 

[lycopersicum]

I'm pretty sure the smell is not rotten eggs, but I'll check the battery.

I imagine mold in the vents could permeate the cabin while driving due to the pressure differentials, even with the ventilation off?

Should I simply spray the foam in the dashboard vents, or try to take things apart to reach the evaporator and eg. spray the drain pipes or the ac air intake?

Hope I'll find a product that doesn't leave a smell of its own as I hate perfume and would be devastated if my van smelled minty.

@Communicator was it some kind of hot electronic smell then?

 

[Communicator]

I'm pretty sure the smell is not rotten eggs, but I'll check the battery.

I imagine mold in the vents could permeate the cabin while driving due to the pressure differentials, even with the ventilation off?

Should I simply spray the foam in the dashboard vents, or try to take things apart to reach the evaporator and eg. spray the drain pipes or the ac air intake?

Hope I'll find a product that doesn't leave a smell of its own as I hate perfume and would be devastated if my van smelled minty.

@Communicator was it some kind of hot electronic smell then?

As I said it was a long time ago, possibly 25 years, but as I recall a burning sort of smell, perhaps electrical, as electronics do not smell to any extent, and in those days electronics were not as prevalent in vehicles. Eventually linked it to speed 3 of fan, and found charred insulation, I think on the resistor. I managed to remove charred material, and squeeze the connector with pliers. No further problem.
If different plastics are used the odour may differ. Heater fan is one of the larger loads on the vehicle electrical system.

 

[Mike1alike]

There are products without smell (perfume), first one I used was so. You don't have to take apart anything, just take the filter out and afterwards put a new one. You gast spray it into the vent pipes, leave it fir some minutes, 30 I think, then 5-10 mins ventilation full on and windows open and that is it!.