chucktaylu

Theres a strange chemical smell coming from my vents when it fresh air mode. When I put it on recirculating, there's no smell.

no1SomeGuy

Likely something got in to the cowl area and needs to be cleaned. Also change your cabin air filter.

n0v8or

Cut a piece of thin cardboard to the width of the cabin filter (a breakfast cereal box is a good source), and slide it under the filter before removing it. If there is a nest atop the filter (common in rural areas), the cardboard will prevent nesting material from falling into the blower housing directly below. You will be able to vacuum it out before removing the cardboard "shield".

chucktaylu

So I checked my 5 month old cabin filter and it looked clean and smelled fine. I ordered another one from amazon anyway. I checked the engine bay for any leaks that may be causing the smell, but didnt find any. Where is the cowl located? Is there any other areas I should check?

Lexuswiz

iTrader: (1)

Cowl area is basically where your windshield wipers are. You will see air vents that pull fresh air from the top of the engine bay.