Forum Discussion

plasticmaster's avatar
plasticmaster
Explorer
May 23, 2013

musky smell from air conditioner

I brought my travel trailer to my house today from storage and plugged it into my 30amp connection at my house. It was rather hot inside the camper so I turned on the air conditioner and a strong musky odor was coming out of the air vents. I've had the camper almost 5 years and this has never happened before. I'm preparing to leave for a trip in a couple of days and my wife won't be able to tolerate the smell because of her asthma. Does anyone know how to get rid of this smell or know what it is? There was no odor in the camper before I turned on the AC. I've been running the AC for the past couple of hours with all of the windows open in the camper hoping to get rid of it. Any suggestions??? Thanks.
Seeking Advice
  • johnnstace's avatar
    johnnstace
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    We had the same issue with our Jayco. It turned out that the water had seeped between the roofing material and the roof deck. What we were smelling was the rotting roof deck. I hope it is not the same as what you have but Jayco fixed the roof under warranty and the smell went away.
    One way to check is to walk on the roof and check for soft spots. Ours was towards the back near the ladder.
  • plasticmaster's avatar
    plasticmaster
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    I cleaned the evaporator coil with foaming ac coil cleaner and rinsed it well. The smell is still there, but not quite as bad. I need to get rid of it completely though because my wife has asthma. Is it possible to remove the evaporator so that I can access the squirrel fan and drip pan area. Also there is a large styrofoam block around the fan that I would like to access and remove to have access to the fan blades. I would like to be able to access every part of the system that contributes to air entering the camper and clean them, possibly even the duct work. Does anyone have experience with this?
  • plasticmaster's avatar
    plasticmaster
    Explorer
    May 23, 2013
    Does anyone have any pictures or diagrams of how to remove the covers and clean the coils?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 23, 2013
    The drip pan under the evap cooler probably has plugged drain holes and old water has allowed mold/mildew to develop. Probably on the evap cooler also

    You can try spraying some mold/mildew cleaner across the face of evap cooler by removing the air filter........look up inside and you will see the leading face of cooler.


    The best way is to go up on roof, remove shroud then remove sheet metal cover on forward end of A/C, under which will be the evap cooler and drain pan.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    May 23, 2013
    Go up top and check as mentioned.
    Clean the coils and clean the filter. Mold build up on coils not only stinks it will also keep building up and your AC will freeze up.

    I have asthma and I would NOT spray the filter with anything. I did once and dang near died. The only thing I have been able to put on the filter to create a nice smell without having breathing problems is 100% pure Oil of Peppermint. Truck driver told me about that trick. They actually use it to stay alert while driving.
  • amxpress's avatar
    amxpress
    Explorer
    May 23, 2013
    I suggest removing the A/C cover and checking for wet, rotten leaves.

    After doing this, you might consider removing the sponge looking filter covering the intake and wash it.
    Then turn on the AC and spray the intake with Lysol spray.
  • wrvond's avatar
    wrvond
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2013
    I suggest removing the A/C cover and checking for wet, rotten leaves.

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