Musty Smell from vents after AC shut off

[haedgy]

2016 Ford Edge Titanium 2.0 Ecoboost AC issue.

 

Have a weird issue since I started using the AC again. When I shut off the AC I get a musty smell for a few minutes afterward.

I did notice that there is no water dripping below the car when I park after running the AC. Before it used to leak a damn river. I also don't notice any moisture inside the car.

 

So obviously the evaporator core drain is plugged,. I just brought it to the dealer today, they wanted to do the foam treatment at a cost of $225. With only 20k on the car I would think it would be covered as a bumper to bumper item, but I am informed it isn't.

 

They did blow the drain out for me free of charge and have not used the AC yet but when they showed me where it was I was kind of amazed it was not on the underside of the car. The drain is on the firewall just behind the oil dipstick. My thought is it's above the core. Why would Ford put the drain above the core? Seems odd.

 

In any event, has anyone ever cleared the evaporator core drain? If so was it on the firewall in the location stated? I honestly thought it was or should be under the car. Either way they were telling me they need to drill a hole in my housing to foam the AC unit but all the video's I have ever seen, they either run a line through the drain or open the filter compartment behind the glove box then run the hose in that way.

 

I figure it's easy enough to do my self. I had tried the Lysol method but maybe I was too timid and didn't spray enough in the intake to work. As it was fine for a week then the smell came back.

 

Either way if I can't get Ford to fess up and fix it under warranty then I will probably have an AC place do the foam treatment or just bite the bullet and have the Dealer do it, but I would want reassurance from them that it's fixed and not something I am going to have to do with this car for the rest of the time I own it.

 

Any suggestions ideas? Has anyone else serviced the AC vents in the 2016 Edge? I see a lot for the 2007 thru 2013. I just don't want to spend all spring and summer smelling the funk from the AC.

 

Thanks in advance. I can post a pic of the drain if anyone is curious.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Please do post a pic of the drain. We always need good documentation

[haedgy]

Here is a pic of the general location from a pic I found online. I will take a shot of the actual plug on my Edge when I get a chance. Easy to find when you know where to look. it's just a bent tube with a little rubber flapgate on it.

 

Update I think it's time for a new shop. I checked it out further and this drain is for the vent intake just below the windshield. I figured the drain had to be lower then the evaporator which should be closer to the floor of the edge not up behind the glove box.

Removed the pic as it's not correct.

Edited March 17, 2018 by haedgy

[enigma-2]

In any event, has anyone ever cleared the evaporator core drain?

Here's a Youtube video showing how to use Kool-It to disinfect the HVAC housing. Not on the firewall, but you should be able to get to it nonetheless.

https://youtu.be/Bi22mdXj3wM

 

Here's the product on Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007PHD0S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kIlHAb25PNB7R

.

Edited February 14, 2018 by enigma-2

[haedgy]

Thanks Enigma, I have seen those videos theres another mack one on youtube but it's for an older model edge he shows the drain but it's under the car, unlike the 2016. There was another video from another who said most are under the car but the 2016 Edge has it in the firewall. So my thought is that has to be the drain. When we get back to AC weather I will have to check to see if I am getting water flowing out of that tube if so and still have the smell I will probably just go ahead and treat with foam.

 

I was just curious to find out if anyone else was having the same issue I am having.

[PaulSchott]

Just dumping the collected water in the evaporator pan may be enough. It you continue to get the smell when first starting the A/C you may need to go for the treatment. I would wait and see.

If they blew the line through from the outside back inside you may have the same crap still in the housing. Like you said, wait until you start using the A/C again and keep looking for water dripping from the drain.

[haedgy]

Just an update.

 

Well found out what the dealer thought was the drain for the evaporator was the drain for the vent below the windshield. We had a few warm days and had to run the AC, water was dripping from the vent, I did a disinfect with lysol and ozium it worked but funky smell came back once I turned off the AC and went to the regular vent.

 

My assumption is the box still had some mildew so treated again with AC on and off with heat on too so I cover everything. Fresh now we'll see how long it lasts.

If it comes back I will have to get under there to follow the drip of water then see if I can just clear it myself or make sure there is a tech at the shot to flow it.

 

Then do a foam treatment to make sure it clears out any mildew as I know it will continue to grow even with a minor amount left in the heat/AC box.

[enigma-2]

One other possibly is to have the dealer do it while it's up.on the hoist for an oil change. My dealer told me they don't stock the foam, but if I were to bring it in, they would spray it into the evaporator drain while it's up there.

[haedgy]

The dealer I went to was talking about drilling into the housing etc and would cost 225 Geeze California prices!

 

Anyway i was surprised because other mechanics would spray up the tube as well. others will go through the filter housing then close it up afterward.

 

So far mine has been good so not worried yet. At least the water is dripping now. though seems a little slow. i have to bring it in, in a month or two for my reg service will talk to them again to see if they will run the AC and find the actual drain.

 

Still not sure if i would bring it back to them for more than an oil change though. The service guy did say he was new and didn't work for Ford before so it makes me wonder.

 

I had an Acura before and when the service manager would hear or test drive my car he would know exactly what was going on. Need to find another manager like that but for Ford.

[enigma-2]

Service reps come and go, not really important. Their job is to get you checked in and push extra service such as wiper blades, tires, etc. Your best bet to ask to speak the either the Service Manager or a technician.