After advice / information

[Camry2009]

Hello,

First time post and visit to site. After some advice with my Camry issue. I have a sportivo 2009 model that is under extended warranty. The AC has an absolute disgusting smell that comes out of it on starting the car. The smell is then present through the 'trip' just not as strong.

The car was serviced recently and the dealer said it appears to be mold in the evaporator and dryer. The service report recommends replacing and sanitizing the system.

They attempted to have it put through the extra care warranty department which have refused saying that the system still blows cold air so it is not a warranty issue.

So far (over a 5 month period) i have changed filters, emptied a can of Glen 20 and tried the cans you get from car shops. The car smells of the used item for a day or two then its back to the mold smell.

AC system drains without issues and serving has only ever occurred through a Toyota dealership.

Surely if the car is serviced and had filters changed then there shouldn't be a reason for the mold growing in the internal guts?

Can anyone offer advice on how this can be fixed? (without selling the car or costing an arm and a leg)

On a side topic. How would i find out what version of AC system is in the car?

[trentmeyer23]

It may be worth trying to get your hands on an endoscope to look through the vents. They may have ingested some leaves or other debris that is staying wet and causing the mould.

You can get ones that connect to a mobile phone now.

[Camry2009]

Yes, Have tried that. vents are clean.

Forgot to add that i have also done the drive around with the heater blasting and windows down. This only works for about a day or 2 as well.

I have also removed the lower foot exit vent on the passanger side and sprayed Pinoclean through a spraygun into the cavity. As you guessed, the car stank of pino for about a week, the smell came back.

I suppose the question now is. Is this a common issue with Toyota AC systems?

Would you think this issue could be covered under statutory warranties?

http://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Warranties%20and%20refunds%20-%20a%20guide%20for%20consumers%20and%20business.pdf

Would it be unreasonable to think that if you have followed all service requirements and car owner manual advice that mold should still grow in the system?

Toyota has quoted approx $1500 to $2000 to clean the system as the whole dash needs to be removed.

[trentmeyer23]

I would think you will have a hard time getting anything covered by warranty.

I wouldn't say it is a common issue.

Being that are from the NT, isn't there an issue with carpets moulding due to humidity, hence most houses being tile floors?

Possibly worth a read: http://ntnews.com.au/news/only-in-the-territory/culture-shock-for-driver-as-mould-takes-over/story-fnk2tg5d-1226812807005

[TIDYWAZZA]

I once had a '96 wide body Camry that also began to smell. I used an anti bacteriacide in a pump up pressure bottle and used a long clear plastic tube down the vents then from under car forced fed it up the evaporator drain. A piece of rag to plug the hole over night then flushed through the vents after removing the rag from the drain. The products you are using are masking the smell but you need to kill the active bacteria living in and around the wet coils in the cooling box. Even srong bleach mixture will help be careful how you handle it as bleach will remove colour from just about everything it touches. Bacteria smells from evap. units are not uncommon some just stink worse than others. Workshops and dealers use an aerosol product pressured down the vents to kill it and your wallet ! A good trade auto store should be able to supply a similar product.

[Guest]

The mold can cause serious health problems. This problem must be fixed properly. It's possible the whole AC system needs to be dismantled and cleaned thoroughly.