Enjoymycar

I purchased my 2003 SC430 in early April of this year. It had 22,800 miles on it when purchased. Most of my driving to date has been with the top down, but occasionally air/heat has been needed with the top up. I have a peculiar odor that comes from the vents. It is not a foul odor like a dead decomposing animal, but a strong odor that my girlfriend and I can not put our finger on. I have done the following.
1) Replaced the cabin filter with a new charcoal filter.
2) Ran the recirculating fan for air and heat while spraying Lysol disinfectant into the intake air vents under the hood.

I noticed on some past service paperwork the previous owner complained of this to the Lexus dealer back in May 2018. They sprayed air deodorizer into the A/C cabin air filter at that time. I think it has been there since I have owned the vehicle, just much more noticeable now.
Anybody else experience something like this? Would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions.
Ron

Raven01750

Have it checked for exhaust leaks? With a vehicle with that few miles, you know its been stored for a very long time. If you have someone with access to a bore scope that can snake the probe through the ventilation duct work, that should give you an idea if there is anything in the ducts. Something is there.

Paul

Enjoymycar

Paul, thanks for the advice. I doubt that it might be an exhaust leak as it doesn't have that kind of smell. Wouldn't hurt to have that checked out though. A borescope is something that I hadn't thought of. I see a lot of them on ebay for $10.00 - $15.00. Would that be a wise investment or do you need something more sophisticated?

Raven01750

How much have you already spent investigating this smell? Sounds like it might be a deal. Especially at that price.

Paul

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

There are a bunch of threads with good approaches that might help in other model forums including a foaming vent disinfectant product. One early one I always remember and a few others below
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...l-from-ac.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...the-smell.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...the-vents.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ght=Vent+smell

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ght=Vent+smell

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-3rd-gen-2006-2011/370250-ac-vent-smell-how-do-i-get-rid-of-the-smell.html?highlight=Vent+smell

VVTiBob

Try this solution for a solution to the problem, if you’ll pardon the pun.

as well as other vendors sell products like these.

GmanSC

Common problem if you’re not running the AC regularly. Just spay a can of Lysol into the vents with the AC runs at max for couple minutes.

Raven01750

I know I must be misunderstanding your reply. Wouldn't spraying Lysol into the vents while the A/C is running just blow Lysol back out in the car? The reason I ask is because it's probably not a bad idea to do once a year or so anyway just to kill any possible mold.

Paul

VVTiBob

Vents hopefully refers to the air intake vent at the windshield end of the hood.

GmanSC

Thanks Bob for clarifying. Bob is right, I meant the intake vents by the windshield wipers.

Enjoymycar

Thanks for all the reply's and suggestions. I have decided to try the "Lubegard Kool It" product. I will keep you updated once I have received it and tried it.
Ron

VVTiBob

Looking forward to reading your evaluation of the product.

Enjoymycar

I received the Lubegard Kool It product yesterday to clean out my air ventilation system. Because temperatures have fallen here, I cannot run my AC and experience condensation where the AC drain or tube would normally drip from. They say to run the hose up the drain tube from under the car. Anyone have a simple diagram or video of where this drain tube is.
Ron

Bgw70

check out this thread...it has a link to another thread plus some pics of the location.
dont forget, you need to remove the cabin air filter.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...tor-drain.html

Bgw70

BTW, if you want to find something really fast, Google the issue with SC430 in the search. It will find it on the CL website!