Bad odor when A/C is turned on
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Noooo.....
107240.1 As an old man, I've had my share of rides over the years. Got a '02 Tbird, '03 Acura MDX, and the Queen's hearse, a '06 Lexus LS430.
Have had Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Subarus, Saab's, Fords, Chryslers, etc.
This Lexus hearse has me saying, "WTF?"
She broke the lease on the '04 Lexus LS 430 and got the '06 because of this horrible odor that would blow in her face whenever she would start the car in hot weather. Smelled like a mold factory.
Numerous times we took the '04 in for service for the smell. The first 6 times they blew us off with a filter change and telling her to keep the recirc button on the inside.
After several insisted upon deodorizings, bleechings, and other forms of disinfecting, (even had them do an interior detail and carpet shampoo), as well as dealer changes, she got pizzed and traded the '04 in with only 15,000 miles on it for the '06.
Well, after 6,000 miles, she had me take the '06 in because of the smell. Another filter. And now, Lexus won't pay for these under their warranty.
Now, at 17,000, it stinks again. Only when the A/C starts after the car has incubated in the hot Denver sun for a few hours. Another set of filter changes and disinfecting. They wanted $150 for this.
Well, I mentioned to the service rep that this issue has NEVER come up with ANY of the other cars we've had. I tell the tech that we've broken one lease over the issue and if Lexus is not going to desgn an HVAC system that people can work with, it'll be the last Lexus we get. And that would be the ONLY reason. If GM can do it, why can't Lexus?
Anyhow's the manager took off the billing for the stink charges.
What's the deal here? Any of you familar with these systems? What is the reason that Lexus cannot pull this off? The service tech was very open in reveling that many people don't like the Lexus HVAC system. He was very sympathetic about it. But that doesn't make the stink go away. :sosad:
Have had Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Subarus, Saab's, Fords, Chryslers, etc.
This Lexus hearse has me saying, "WTF?"
She broke the lease on the '04 Lexus LS 430 and got the '06 because of this horrible odor that would blow in her face whenever she would start the car in hot weather. Smelled like a mold factory.
Numerous times we took the '04 in for service for the smell. The first 6 times they blew us off with a filter change and telling her to keep the recirc button on the inside.
After several insisted upon deodorizings, bleechings, and other forms of disinfecting, (even had them do an interior detail and carpet shampoo), as well as dealer changes, she got pizzed and traded the '04 in with only 15,000 miles on it for the '06.
Well, after 6,000 miles, she had me take the '06 in because of the smell. Another filter. And now, Lexus won't pay for these under their warranty.
Now, at 17,000, it stinks again. Only when the A/C starts after the car has incubated in the hot Denver sun for a few hours. Another set of filter changes and disinfecting. They wanted $150 for this.
Well, I mentioned to the service rep that this issue has NEVER come up with ANY of the other cars we've had. I tell the tech that we've broken one lease over the issue and if Lexus is not going to desgn an HVAC system that people can work with, it'll be the last Lexus we get. And that would be the ONLY reason. If GM can do it, why can't Lexus?
Anyhow's the manager took off the billing for the stink charges.
What's the deal here? Any of you familar with these systems? What is the reason that Lexus cannot pull this off? The service tech was very open in reveling that many people don't like the Lexus HVAC system. He was very sympathetic about it. But that doesn't make the stink go away. :sosad:
I really wish I could accept that.
TWO days after they replaced BOTH filters, the blast of stinky air blew into my face upon startup.
I went back yesterday to have them determine if the drip tubes were either plugged or kinked. (As NO condensate is seen below the car after driving it for a time in 90 degree heat.) I got the service managers permisssion to go back into the shop and watch the mechanic do his thing.
The mechanic blew a blast of compressed air into both drip tubes and we saw there was no resistance.
The service rep then said, "We got this antibacterial foam that is squirted into the box, expanding to cover the entire inside. Then it drips out the drip tube. It'll do two things - one, disinfect whatever is growing in there. Two, it'll prove the function of the drip tubes."
A short time later, I was called back into see that the drip tubes were draining the resultant liquid.
So's the drip tubes work. I'll report back soon to let you know about how well this foam works.
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ANSWER to A/C Odor in Lexus
I owned a 2004 Lexus SC and it quickly developed the "A/C odor". First the local dealer told me it was the filter, but that did not remedy the problem. After further research on my part, I determined that the odor was worse on recycled A/C or defrost, and the filter was only being utilized for exterior air filtration.
Well, after numerous visits to the dealer with them spraying deodorizer in the ducts (which just masked the smell), and the car not being repaired, I began to get sick. Four times after driving the car in the rain (with the defrost on) my throat began to swell shut. This resulted in three ER visits & one emergency doctor office visit. I also contracted edema and numerous other respiratory problems. Lexus continued to deny the car was a problem.
About the same time as the throat issues started, the climate control display became unreadable in direct sunlight. It was later determined that MOLD was growing across the climate control.
Only after I demanded that the car be taken apart did they techs find water under the carpet. It is my opinion that the A/C system is poorly designed, and does not properly evaporate condensation in the duct system. In my car, I believe it was compounded by the extra water trapped under the carpet, that leaked in through the trunk. In any case, please get educated about the hazard about the A/C odor. My health has been ruined, and I must take medication EVERYDAY because of my exposure to that car. The doctors have not given me a very good prognosis.
I also believe that LEXUS knows all about this problem, and is covering it up. They have already destroyed or hidden evidence that my doctors requested so they could treat me, and are fighting release of the many other complaints & law suits that have been filed against them due to this problem.
Beware. Don't risk you health or your life for that matter, and don't expect LEXUS to do the "right thing" by you. LEXUS has proven to me that my life was worth nothing to them.
I owned a 2004 Lexus SC and it quickly developed the "A/C odor". First the local dealer told me it was the filter, but that did not remedy the problem. After further research on my part, I determined that the odor was worse on recycled A/C or defrost, and the filter was only being utilized for exterior air filtration.
Well, after numerous visits to the dealer with them spraying deodorizer in the ducts (which just masked the smell), and the car not being repaired, I began to get sick. Four times after driving the car in the rain (with the defrost on) my throat began to swell shut. This resulted in three ER visits & one emergency doctor office visit. I also contracted edema and numerous other respiratory problems. Lexus continued to deny the car was a problem.
About the same time as the throat issues started, the climate control display became unreadable in direct sunlight. It was later determined that MOLD was growing across the climate control.
Only after I demanded that the car be taken apart did they techs find water under the carpet. It is my opinion that the A/C system is poorly designed, and does not properly evaporate condensation in the duct system. In my car, I believe it was compounded by the extra water trapped under the carpet, that leaked in through the trunk. In any case, please get educated about the hazard about the A/C odor. My health has been ruined, and I must take medication EVERYDAY because of my exposure to that car. The doctors have not given me a very good prognosis.
I also believe that LEXUS knows all about this problem, and is covering it up. They have already destroyed or hidden evidence that my doctors requested so they could treat me, and are fighting release of the many other complaints & law suits that have been filed against them due to this problem.
Beware. Don't risk you health or your life for that matter, and don't expect LEXUS to do the "right thing" by you. LEXUS has proven to me that my life was worth nothing to them.
What year Lexus and model do u have? Certain toyotas and lexus models had that same issues in the 90's and on forward in the 2000's. I've seen this issue numerous times and the cause of this is the a/c expansion valve going bad causing bad odors in the car. Have your lexus dealer look it up instead of doing cover ups, thats sum shady sh** they doing. As a Toyota tech, that would be the smelly moldy issue that u are complaining about.
The most recent case in my dealership was a 93 MR2 turbo. The expansion valve was covered in icky greenish mold and smelled so nasty. The master tech replaced the expansion valve, along with new o rings for the lines, recharged and retrofitted to r134a instead of the old r-12, flushed and cleaned the system and used a good deodorizer through the a/c vents. Worked great after that.
The most recent case in my dealership was a 93 MR2 turbo. The expansion valve was covered in icky greenish mold and smelled so nasty. The master tech replaced the expansion valve, along with new o rings for the lines, recharged and retrofitted to r134a instead of the old r-12, flushed and cleaned the system and used a good deodorizer through the a/c vents. Worked great after that.
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Gerson
In the first line of the post it says the year & model....2004 SC 430. The expansion valve is probably NOT the issue, as this problem is being found in 2003-2007 model Lexus models. Most people believe it is an evaporator that was designed too small to due it's job properly.
Maybe WE SHOULD ALL ASK LEXUS IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE THEY DO KNOW AND ARE HIDDING THE INFO FROM THE CONSUMER, IN MY OPINION?
In the first line of the post it says the year & model....2004 SC 430. The expansion valve is probably NOT the issue, as this problem is being found in 2003-2007 model Lexus models. Most people believe it is an evaporator that was designed too small to due it's job properly.
Maybe WE SHOULD ALL ASK LEXUS IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE THEY DO KNOW AND ARE HIDDING THE INFO FROM THE CONSUMER, IN MY OPINION?
now that the warmer weather is setting in... i am beginning to use the A/C... and yesterday when i turned it on, the smell that came out was a misty/moldy coolant smelling stink... i had to roll down the windows...
so i turned up the fan to high and turned the temp heat to the highest with the A/C on and ran it for 5 mins... turned the temp back down and the smell was better... i will check my filter this weekend, even though lexus changed my cabin filter at 5k miles ago when i had the 60 service done...
so i turned up the fan to high and turned the temp heat to the highest with the A/C on and ran it for 5 mins... turned the temp back down and the smell was better... i will check my filter this weekend, even though lexus changed my cabin filter at 5k miles ago when i had the 60 service done...
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IT IS NOT THE CABIN FILTER.
The cabin filter has nothing to do with recycled air in the cabin, and if you look at the climate control display, you will see that when you first turn on the A/C the system defaults to "recycled" to cool the car faster. The climate system may then begin mixing fresh air (that does go through the filter), so you smell less of the toxins (which is EXACTLY what you are inhaling).
I have NEVER smoked ANYTHING, and used to run division I track in college, and my lung capacity is now similar to a 43 yr old smoker, thanks to my LEXUS.
The cabin filter has nothing to do with recycled air in the cabin, and if you look at the climate control display, you will see that when you first turn on the A/C the system defaults to "recycled" to cool the car faster. The climate system may then begin mixing fresh air (that does go through the filter), so you smell less of the toxins (which is EXACTLY what you are inhaling).
I have NEVER smoked ANYTHING, and used to run division I track in college, and my lung capacity is now similar to a 43 yr old smoker, thanks to my LEXUS.
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473 Posts
First, go to airsept.com and read up on their EED, Electronic Evaporator Dryer.
The initial thing you can do to abate the dirty gym socks, mold and mildew, odor is to lower the windows, RELIGIOUSLY lower the windows, slightly in the garage at night, or whenever you can. That also helps to alleviate the unexpected instances of sudden windshield fogging on an early morning drive with the weather moderately cool.
There are multiple aspects of the Lexus design, vehicle and HVAC specifics, that result in this unusual propensity for the microbes that breed within a consistently damp, dank, and moist environment to find a welcoming home in your Lexus.
1. Lexus cars are VERY well sealed, mostly to reduce noise but the result is the same, no easy outflow for the MOIST cabin air.
2. The cabin air exhauster port itself has been intentionally reduced in size to improve FE (if "conditioned" air cannot be exhausted the compressor run less often), lower the blower speed "NOISE".
3. Some of these models will automatically modulate the fresh/recirculate function to provide more efficient A/C operation, esspecally during the winter months. During the winter months the only benefit to the use of the A/C is for dehumidification, prevention of windshield fogging, so A/C efficiency can become SUPER-CRITICAL.
During the winter months, or in reality anytime the system is not being used for cooling, the system should NEVER be in recirculate. Since the system will provide no indication of the percentage of mix, fresh vs recirculate, the only safe thing to do is to manually set teh system to FRESH.
NOTE OF CAUTION.....
There is NO INDICATION to the driver of the fresh/recirculate automatic "mix" mode, the only control you have for assurance of full fresh mode is for YOU to manually depress the FRESH button each and every time you start the car, tun the system on, or initiate the system into "auto" mode.
Here again there is a later, 2001(??) C-best option, two actually, that will allow you to disable the A/C compressor functionality for an indefinite period. The 2nd one will unlink the A/C from automatically operating (with NO indication) in defrost/defog/demist mode.
3. If you were to examine the A/C cooling evaporator you would find the vanes so close together, so much so taht like a sponge they soak up the condensate thus preventing much of it from draing via the provided tube.
Only the years, years since I first fought this problem with my '92 LS, Lexus has tried several remedies for this problem. Anti-bacterial coatings embedded on teh evaporator vanes, initially discontinued to to MSDS problems. And then the fact that the coatings would wash off within a fairly short period. Then a UV light source within the A/C plenum, supposedly to KILL OFF those little buggers.
There were even recommending a spray for spraying into the HVAC intake until it was discovered that the spray was a problem to human health.
The solutions I have found to work best are 1, disable the A/C entirely during the times actual cooling is not needed. Later models have a C-best option to facilitate this. 2, I installed small forced air blowers within the trunk to remove the cabin atmosphere whenever the defrost/defog/demist mode is on, the rear window defrost is on, and the functional equivalent of the Airsept device.
The initial thing you can do to abate the dirty gym socks, mold and mildew, odor is to lower the windows, RELIGIOUSLY lower the windows, slightly in the garage at night, or whenever you can. That also helps to alleviate the unexpected instances of sudden windshield fogging on an early morning drive with the weather moderately cool.
There are multiple aspects of the Lexus design, vehicle and HVAC specifics, that result in this unusual propensity for the microbes that breed within a consistently damp, dank, and moist environment to find a welcoming home in your Lexus.
1. Lexus cars are VERY well sealed, mostly to reduce noise but the result is the same, no easy outflow for the MOIST cabin air.
2. The cabin air exhauster port itself has been intentionally reduced in size to improve FE (if "conditioned" air cannot be exhausted the compressor run less often), lower the blower speed "NOISE".
3. Some of these models will automatically modulate the fresh/recirculate function to provide more efficient A/C operation, esspecally during the winter months. During the winter months the only benefit to the use of the A/C is for dehumidification, prevention of windshield fogging, so A/C efficiency can become SUPER-CRITICAL.
During the winter months, or in reality anytime the system is not being used for cooling, the system should NEVER be in recirculate. Since the system will provide no indication of the percentage of mix, fresh vs recirculate, the only safe thing to do is to manually set teh system to FRESH.
NOTE OF CAUTION.....
There is NO INDICATION to the driver of the fresh/recirculate automatic "mix" mode, the only control you have for assurance of full fresh mode is for YOU to manually depress the FRESH button each and every time you start the car, tun the system on, or initiate the system into "auto" mode.
Here again there is a later, 2001(??) C-best option, two actually, that will allow you to disable the A/C compressor functionality for an indefinite period. The 2nd one will unlink the A/C from automatically operating (with NO indication) in defrost/defog/demist mode.
3. If you were to examine the A/C cooling evaporator you would find the vanes so close together, so much so taht like a sponge they soak up the condensate thus preventing much of it from draing via the provided tube.
Only the years, years since I first fought this problem with my '92 LS, Lexus has tried several remedies for this problem. Anti-bacterial coatings embedded on teh evaporator vanes, initially discontinued to to MSDS problems. And then the fact that the coatings would wash off within a fairly short period. Then a UV light source within the A/C plenum, supposedly to KILL OFF those little buggers.
There were even recommending a spray for spraying into the HVAC intake until it was discovered that the spray was a problem to human health.
The solutions I have found to work best are 1, disable the A/C entirely during the times actual cooling is not needed. Later models have a C-best option to facilitate this. 2, I installed small forced air blowers within the trunk to remove the cabin atmosphere whenever the defrost/defog/demist mode is on, the rear window defrost is on, and the functional equivalent of the Airsept device.
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473 Posts
Good-O...!!
Your MASTER TECH emptied someones wallet NEEDLESSLY...!!
The ICKY GREENISH NASTY SMELLING MOLD was not caused by a faulty expansion valve but by its actual design functionality, it was working properly, absolutely properly.
The microbes that constitute the mold and mildew family breed and thrive in a damp, dark, and coolish environment such as will exist in ANY air conditioning pleum area that is POORLY designed. WELL designed insofar as cooling, or in the alternative in this case, dehumidification, but POORLY designed in the aspect of prevention of microbial growth.
See Airsept.com for a really viable solution.
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Thank you for the info WWEST.
My car was a 2004 SC430. I was literally forced (by my Doctor) to get rid of the car, after the HVAC system was finally replaced, and Lexus USA told me they would take full responsibility if anyone else got sick.
Unfortunately, the story didn't end there. In addition to the mold exposure from the car, I also had "long-term" anti-freeze exposure. In spite of complaints to the local dealer about the terrible odor from the A/C and also anti-freeze odor (for over a year), the problems were not properly addressed into the damage had already been done to my health. I am now forced to take medication (three different ones) twice a day FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. If I fail to take the medication, I will get sick with edema within about 12 hrs. Not a very good way to go through life.
The Doctors will not talk about how much time I have left, because the anti-freeze literally goes through your entire system, damaging kidneys, joints, etc.
The sad part is that ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, if I had a competent tech working on my car that did more than just spray conditioner into my ductwork. Lexus USA also could have taken me out of this death trap much earlier, but they chose to keep me in the car for another six months, even after they were notified that the car was making me sick.
I think this is the worse car company on the planet, I believe they have know about the problems with their HVAC systems for years, and continue to hide the truth from the public.
My car was a 2004 SC430. I was literally forced (by my Doctor) to get rid of the car, after the HVAC system was finally replaced, and Lexus USA told me they would take full responsibility if anyone else got sick.
Unfortunately, the story didn't end there. In addition to the mold exposure from the car, I also had "long-term" anti-freeze exposure. In spite of complaints to the local dealer about the terrible odor from the A/C and also anti-freeze odor (for over a year), the problems were not properly addressed into the damage had already been done to my health. I am now forced to take medication (three different ones) twice a day FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. If I fail to take the medication, I will get sick with edema within about 12 hrs. Not a very good way to go through life.
The Doctors will not talk about how much time I have left, because the anti-freeze literally goes through your entire system, damaging kidneys, joints, etc.
The sad part is that ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, if I had a competent tech working on my car that did more than just spray conditioner into my ductwork. Lexus USA also could have taken me out of this death trap much earlier, but they chose to keep me in the car for another six months, even after they were notified that the car was making me sick.
I think this is the worse car company on the planet, I believe they have know about the problems with their HVAC systems for years, and continue to hide the truth from the public.
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Lexus has been VERY well aware of the mould and mildew odor problem, and the possible harmful effects of that along with the use of the anti-microbial chemicals and sprays used to combat the problem since at least mid-1991 according to the documents we obtained in the process of the lawsuit I filed (and lost) at the time.
Are you sure, really sure, the anti-freeze aspect isn't some kind of "cover" to allocate some of the "fault" elsewhere..?? Not that anti-freeze evaporation odor couldn't have been a causative factor but I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn't have discovered this very early on due to the need, highly UNUSUAL need, to often replenish the anti-freeze.
Blaming the anti-freeze might only be a method of making the problem UNIQUE to your car and/or situation. Whereas if they were forced to admit that your problem arose only from the various chemicals that have been used in EVERY vehicle shipped since ~1991.....
Class action, HUGE class action....!!
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A/C Odor
Thank you for your response. The anti-freeze exposure and mold exposure were two separate problems that caused seriously bad results. The mold problem, which I believe developed from an engineering flaw in the design of the evaporator fins caused me many health problems. The anti-freeze exposure was a result from a defect that the local dealer failed to address, even after adding over two inches of anti-freeze to the reservoir in a "closed" system. Obviously, either of these problems is very serious.
The attitude from Lexus was always one of denial, and delay. In fact, they have actually destroyed evidence and material that may have been extremely benefical to any possible treatment from the mold exposure.
All in all, it is my firm belief that Lexus has known about the flaws in there design, and has covered-up this problem for years. They represent EVERYTHING that one can imagine that is bad about any corporation in my opinion.
Why did you not win your case? Did they destroy evidence in your case too?
Thank you for your response. The anti-freeze exposure and mold exposure were two separate problems that caused seriously bad results. The mold problem, which I believe developed from an engineering flaw in the design of the evaporator fins caused me many health problems. The anti-freeze exposure was a result from a defect that the local dealer failed to address, even after adding over two inches of anti-freeze to the reservoir in a "closed" system. Obviously, either of these problems is very serious.
The attitude from Lexus was always one of denial, and delay. In fact, they have actually destroyed evidence and material that may have been extremely benefical to any possible treatment from the mold exposure.
All in all, it is my firm belief that Lexus has known about the flaws in there design, and has covered-up this problem for years. They represent EVERYTHING that one can imagine that is bad about any corporation in my opinion.
Why did you not win your case? Did they destroy evidence in your case too?
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I, and moreso my attorney, were basically il-prepared to "combat" the Lexus legal team and their ability to get the dealer employees to lie and mislead the court. But my lawsuit had to do with the horrible propensity of the LS400's HVAC system to cause sudden unexpected fogging of the interior surface of the windshield.
Hazardous, that.
IMMHO there is nothing really wrong with the base design of the Lexus and Toyota heating and cooling system (disregarding the defrost/defog/demist mode) , the mould and mildew problem, horrid odors, are present throughout the automotive A/C industry today.
In my opinion it has EVERYTHING to do with the compactness, "tight" design requirements of the cooling evaporator, making it so close to sponge functionality that it often acts as one.
While the odor is unpleasant I have begun to believe we would be better just living with it over having to breath the out-gassing from the various anti-microbial chemical coatings of the evaporator they have experimented with over the years.
There is actually a relatively simple answer, seemingly, that has been available in the aftermarket for many years now. Go to airsept.com and read up on their EED, Electronic Evaporator DRYER.
But I remain very suspicious that the anti-freeze issue making you sick was not a red herring to divert focus from the possibility of a class action, a rather SERIOUS class action. A one time refill, topping off, of the anti-freeze level would normally not be enough to give a "heads-up" that something was amiss.
I typically leave the factory anti-freeze in the car unless the the protection level or Ph goes awry. In the case of the '92 LS it went well over 100,000 miles, 10 years, before I changed out the anti-freeze, and then only because it was looking rather murky. I have little oubt that I had to top it off more than once in the period.
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Lexus A/C Odor
Well, I have to disagree with you about your acceptance of the A/C odor. I have worked with cars for 30 years, and have driven 100's, if not thousands of cars & trucks. I once purchased 170+ cars in 72 Hours as a Buyer in the auto business, and ran the A/C in EVERY CAR, and NOT ONE had a bad odor.
The Lexus problem, while not limited to Lexus, is a design flaw, and it is not just a nussance, but a DANGEROUS HEALTH THREAT. Anyone that with knowledge about this will tell you the same. The confined area of an automobile cockpit makes this exposure that much more concentrated. If you have the slightest concern about mold in your home, times that by 1000 when considering the exposure you would get in your car.
In regards to the anti-freeze; my Doctors estimate I was exposed to over 40x the safe limit, over an extended period of time. My symptoms are "classic" examples for both exposures.
Nothing would make me happier than putting the executives from Lexus USA in jail, for refusing to get me out of that car, when they knew that it was harming my health. You will be hearing about this case on the National news broadcasts, as we ramp-up the information in the public sector in the next 10 months.
Well, I have to disagree with you about your acceptance of the A/C odor. I have worked with cars for 30 years, and have driven 100's, if not thousands of cars & trucks. I once purchased 170+ cars in 72 Hours as a Buyer in the auto business, and ran the A/C in EVERY CAR, and NOT ONE had a bad odor.
The Lexus problem, while not limited to Lexus, is a design flaw, and it is not just a nussance, but a DANGEROUS HEALTH THREAT. Anyone that with knowledge about this will tell you the same. The confined area of an automobile cockpit makes this exposure that much more concentrated. If you have the slightest concern about mold in your home, times that by 1000 when considering the exposure you would get in your car.
In regards to the anti-freeze; my Doctors estimate I was exposed to over 40x the safe limit, over an extended period of time. My symptoms are "classic" examples for both exposures.
Nothing would make me happier than putting the executives from Lexus USA in jail, for refusing to get me out of that car, when they knew that it was harming my health. You will be hearing about this case on the National news broadcasts, as we ramp-up the information in the public sector in the next 10 months.
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ALL air conditioners will have some propensity to develop that dirty gym socks odor. An A/C will condense moisture from the atmosphere and it is that moisture that the microbes breed and thrive in. Beginning in the late eighties there was an industry wide drive on to improve automotive A/C efficiency and it appears to me that NipponDenso of Japan was the "ring" leader in that effort.
Beginning in the late 80's the A/C evaporators become so compact and dense they retained a sighnificant level of the condensate for DAYS which in turn provided a STELLAR breeding environment for those microbes.
If you browse around the net I think you will find that these "odor" problems/complaints become much more pronounced during that time period and have not abated even today.
Personally I NEVER allow use of my A/C except for cooling or initial cooldown. In the olden days I would simply disconnect the A/C compressor circuit during the non-cooling months. By '01 Toyota and Lexus had added a C-best option to allow me to do this with a single button push
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