Possible dead rodent in AC

[da_gt]

First post. I have a 2015 GT with 2000 miles on it. Clean it twice a week inside and out. Never had any issues until now

Essentially I started smelling what I can only describe as manure yesterday/night before from my AC. I have smelled all around the engine bay and the exterior of the car, and there is no scent whatsoever. It progessively got worse from a "Hmm i kind of smell something" to a "Hmm i think ill leave the AC off completely because that is disgusting"

Inside you can slightly notice it, but when the AC is on you can definitely notice it.

I have removed the in cabin air filter and the blower motor, both are like new and completely clean. However, they both smell of manure as well.

The smell is strongest on the center AC vents if you put your nose up to them. I would say out of 10 the smell is a 4. Its not that bad, but part of me thinks there is a recently/about to be recently dead rodent in my AC ducts. I cant think of another explanation.

Before I left this morning the smell wasnt so bad, not really noticeable. But I know that as soon as its running and the AC is on, that Ill start to smell it again.

Ive read that it can be "spoiled" coolant. But im not sure thats the issue at hand.

At this point its looking like the only options are to get to the AC ducts and see whats there (either myself, or via a mechanic) OR to just sell the car.

I love my mustang, but I dont want to be driving around with it smelling like this and I got a great deal so the loss on it wouldnt be large.

Id obviously prefer to fix this issue, wanted to know if anyone has suggestions or has experienced something like this before?

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[LETHAL]

Never had this issue.. take it to the dealer.

 

[CB]

There are many of us on the F-150 forums that have had this problem. Predominantly on 2013 trucks. Smells like a barnyard when first firing up the fan when a/c has been running. it was our evaporator coils leaking refrigerant.

 

[da_gt]

There are many of us on the F-150 forums that have had this problem. Predominantly on 2013 trucks. Smells like a barnyard when first firing up the fan when a/c has been running. it was our evaporator coils leaking refrigerant.

Thats a good suggestion. Did the smell last though? I drove the car for a solid hour and the smell only got worse

 

[racer24crm]

Sometimes there can be mold or bacteria growing from the condensation in the all the duct work or even in the heater and evaporator coils. They sell antibacterial and deodorizer kits that are really simple to use. My friend had a new mazda 3 that smelled like a wet dog when he ran the ac. We used one of these kits and it took the smell away completely.

 

[da_gt]

Sometimes there can be mold or bacteria growing from the condensation in the all the duct work or even in the heater and evaporator coils. They sell antibacterial and deodorizer kits that are really simple to use. My friend had a new mazda 3 that smelled like a wet dog when he ran the ac. We used one of these kits and it took the smell away completely.

My wife had an old aveo that had moldy ducts and this is definitely more like someone or something took a dump in my AC. Im a bit hesitant to put stuff like that in right now, because I dont want it to possibly just mask the underlying issue. Thanks for the suggestion though

 

[valentinoamoro]

First post. I have a 2015 GT with 2000 miles on it. Clean it twice a week inside and out. Never had any issues until now

Essentially I started smelling what I can only describe as manure yesterday/night before from my AC. I have smelled all around the engine bay and the exterior of the car, and there is no scent whatsoever. It progessively got worse from a "Hmm i kind of smell something" to a "Hmm i think ill leave the AC off completely because that is disgusting"

Inside you can slightly notice it, but when the AC is on you can definitely notice it.

I have removed the in cabin air filter and the blower motor, both are like new and completely clean. However, they both smell of manure as well.

The smell is strongest on the center AC vents if you put your nose up to them. I would say out of 10 the smell is a 4. Its not that bad, but part of me thinks there is a recently/about to be recently dead rodent in my AC ducts. I cant think of another explanation.

Before I left this morning the smell wasnt so bad, not really noticeable. But I know that as soon as its running and the AC is on, that Ill start to smell it again.

Ive read that it can be "spoiled" coolant. But im not sure thats the issue at hand.

At this point its looking like the only options are to get to the AC ducts and see whats there (either myself, or via a mechanic) OR to just sell the car.

I love my mustang, but I dont want to be driving around with it smelling like this and I got a great deal so the loss on it wouldnt be large.

Id obviously prefer to fix this issue, wanted to know if anyone has suggestions or has experienced something like this before?

I had a rodent get in my Stang engine bay. It sat on the engine cover and built a nest while I had it parked on the street for 2 days!

So...these things do happen for sure and I'm not surprised if one died.
Take it to a detailer and have them steam clean/wipe down the engine bay (remove the plastic pieces). Then put peppermint oil/cedar oil (thin coat) on the plastic pieces.

I have not had any rodent since then. Reapply in winter months once every 2 months.

 

[paul123]

I had a rodent get in my Stang engine bay. It sat on the engine cover and built a nest while I had it parked on the street for 2 days!

OP sniffed around the engine bay. Is that not a reliable way of detecting a rodent?

 

[jasonstang]

Lexus has this AC evaporator cleaner kit that has a fitting to plug in the drain hose and fill the evaporator box with bacterial killing foam.
My 3 year old FJ Cruiser was smelling really rancid so I used the kit. Pretty easy to use takes 10 minuets and definitely got rid of the smell.
I would use it every time you change the cabin air filter.
The kit is like $25

 

[CB]

Find the condensate drain and make sure the water is actually coming out of it and not backing up into the car and leaking out.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Leave your shoes on while driving, contain those stanky feet of yours. ;)

 

[CliffClavin]

Yep - the two suggestions above about the drain hose have it spot on. Try those and report back.

 

[Chameleon]

At this point its looking like the only options are to get to the AC ducts and see whats there (either myself, or via a mechanic) OR to just sell the car.

I love my mustang, but I dont want to be driving around with it smelling like this and I got a great deal so the loss on it wouldnt be large.

It is definitely a rodent. But no reason to sell your car over it. Get it checked out the clean the f out of it.

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