lonwa

Let us know how it works for you.

Lonwa

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

I have had these problems with 2 other cars. All i did was replace the cabin air filter and i was good as new. Try that if you haven't already

User 121523

No luck so far. If anything, the smell seemed to have gotten worse -- now I can smell it as soon as I enter the car.

Is the cabin air filter something I can get & replace myself?

I'm also seriously considering the MiST treatment or something similar at this point ...

User 121523

I just spoke with the dealer's parts department and will pick up a new cabin air filter to replace it and see how it goes. I can't believe how difficult it is to access the evaporator

tromly

When they engineer cars, they want you to go back to the stealership for service

dunnojack

does the dashboard need to be ripped apart to access the evaporator?

User 121523

I just took out the cabin air filter. It was not clean, but only to the extend I'd expect after 10 months of use with a few extended trips in between. It also didn't smell like whatever I smell of coming out of the vents.

At this point, I'm pretty sure it's the evaporator and probably won't be replacing the filter for now.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

MiST. nuff said.

I8ABMR

Funny thing is I have not smelled anything until this month. I tried spraying some gucci cologne n the car and running the AC on recycle and it worked pretty well. Even Ferrari had car cologne. I wonder if its for sticky AC systems

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

cabin filter won't really smell. Its the dirt and stuff that gets together when air is coming out giving u a bad smell. I haven't replace my cabin filter but will do as soon as possible. Its like $47 at the dealer.

User 121523

How often do most people replace the cabin air filter in 3GS? The owner's manual calls for "cleaning" at 18 mo / 15k miles and "replacement" at 36 mo / 30k. That seems a little long given how much visible stuff there is on my filter already after 9 months.

User 121523

I wasn't able to find a good shop nearby that offers the MiST treatment though. One of them was a Pontiac dealer, another with the phone discontinued, and then a few car wash places with awful reviews

steviej

iTrader: (1)

Purolator makes a decent/comparable cabin filter for the GS that can be had at any Advance Auto Parts (or the like) for $12.

You are correct, the bad smells are not due to the cabin filter nor will replacement eliminate the smell. The odors orginiates at the evaporator fins in the air box. They are growing mold, mildew and bacteria. A disinfecting of some kind is in order.

steviej

steviej

iTrader: (1)

Use the pontiac dealership. What they will do is remove the under panel of the passenger side of the dash. The MiST machine is placed on the floor under the dash. The chemical disinfectant is added to the machine and a fine ultrasonic mist is forced into the intake of the AC system under the dash on that side. It is sucked into the air box and circulated throughout. This continues for about 15 to 20 minutes. When done, the growth is dead and the odor is gone. Replacement of the cabin filter is recommended just to remove any residual mold, mildew and bacteria that may be trapped.....less chance or reinfecting the air box.

steviej

I8ABMR

Yup Gucci cologne in the car works well. I wear cologne all of the time and I find that it gets picked up in the AC and when the car gets started all I smell is Gucci envy. Very cool. I dont know why it was stinking for a couple of days last week. maybe it was the ****ty Euphoria cologne I was trying. In the end try it if you get frustrated and have tried to replace the cabin filter