Smelly A/C?

[Electrified Outdoors]

I understand that. My rant was that it turns off heat too. Too much automation, that isn't perfect.

True, GM did the same thing with the bolt...but changed that for the 2019 model year. In this case though the goal is to disengage the compressor and dry the evaporator coils prior to parking the vehicle. I think the toggle, while not ideally setup, will still accomplish this.

Sponsored

 

[Riviot]

A rotten egg/sulfur or vinegar kind of smell form the A/C is usually from a damp/moldy evap coil assembly which needs to be cleaned with the spray @240vPlug linked above.

Prius drivers have been struggling with this phenomenon for years due to poor drainage and have come up with a procedure to help keep moisture from forming mold on the evep coils:
About 5min before your trip ends- turn the A/C off and just run the HVAC on fresh air with no A/C running. This will blow outside air over the evap coils and dry it off before you shut the vehicle down preventing a damp evap assembly and mold growth.

Changing the Cabin Air Filter...

$35? Shipped from service center? Come on, Rivian...

It measures 230 x 200 x 30 mm. I think this is the OEM filter:
https://catalog.mann-filter.com/EU/... (T00000000813215)/Cabin Air Filter/CU 23 003

This is the closest I've found, belongs to an Infiniti Q50 and others:
https://size.name/en/products/ac206j

I'm going to pick this up local today and try it:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgd4/3696hp

 

[NY_Rob]

I guess we really need the exact measurements of the OEM filter.... one poster on the Youtube thread said the OEM filter is 210 mm x 227 mm x 30 mm?

If so, I found this on reddit regarding a similar sized filter for a Hyundai:
"Rock Auto $6- Champ CAF10079P.
I bought and installed this after doing a lot of research. It fits well. In mm OEM is 210 x 227 x 30. Champ is 209.5 x 224.3 x 28.4. It is made for a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid."

It all depends on the size of the OEM Rivian filter.

 

[R2D2]

My theory is that the smell is caused by using automated car washes, I think they either recycle the water or use grey water that finds its way into the Cabin air filter. My theory is based on a completely uninformed speculation.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

My theory is that the smell is caused by using automated car washes, I think they either recycle the water or use grey water that finds its way into the Cabin air filter. My theory is based in a completely uninformed speculation.

My running theory is garaged vehicle are more susceptible. The smell comes from moisture sitting in the evaporator coil and not evaporating quick enough.

 

[Riviot]

My running theory is garaged vehicle are more susceptible. The smell comes from moisture sitting in the evaporator coil and not evaporating quick enough.

Have we found said coil in the Rivian yet? Is it easily accessible for cleaning?

 

[Riviot]

$35? Shipped from service center? Come on, Rivian...

It measures 230 x 200 x 30 mm. I think this is the OEM filter:
https://catalog.mann-filter.com/EU/eng/catalog/MANN-FILTER Katalog Europa/Vehicles/CARS + TRANSPORTERS/INFINITI/Q50 (V37)/2.0 Turbo M274 (T00000000813215)/Cabin Air Filter/CU 23 003

This is the closest I've found, belongs to an Infiniti Q50 and others:
https://size.name/en/products/ac206j

I'm going to pick this up local today and try it:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgd4/3696hp

It fits! $30 after taxes here, can get wherever.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgd4/3696hp

Now where is that compressor?

 

[Tony R1S]

Just FYI, I just discovered that "pet comfort" mode automatically switches to re-circ mode when I re-enter the car. I didn't realize this until the foul smell started happening the next day, and as soon as I unchecked re-circ setting the smell went away. Now I need to take an extra step to uncheck that button every time I return to the car after using pet comfort mode... annoying..

 

[zymolysis]

So you're saying the frunk isn't the spot for my dirty gym socks?

Sure it is. Just leave them there until they stop smelling - then you can wear them again.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Your goal should be to make sure your air box is always dry before you turn your car off.

I make it a habit to turn up the temperature to Hi and turn off recirculate 2 minutes before I get to my destination and then let it dry for another minute or two while I grab my items to leave the car.

I use the remote app to precondition the car and change the temp from hi to low when I want to cool it down.

This has helped to keep any sort of smell away or mold from growing in humid climates.

 

[Christopher]

Has anybody figured out how to get to the coil for cleaning without having to remove the entire HVAC assembly?

 

[chrismc]

Has anybody figured out how to get to the coil for cleaning without having to remove the entire HVAC assembly?

Necromancing this thread here… has anyone solved this yet? I have the Klima spray ready to use and with the autumn rain my truck is back to stank central. Help!!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Necromancing this thread here… has anyone solved this yet? I have the Klima spray ready to use and with the autumn rain my truck is back to stank central. Help!!

I have not however there is one trick to try.

Park the truck, preferably in the shade, set HVAC temp to "HI". Turn on camp mode (to keep it from shutting off) and leave it this way for 1 hour.

Let me know if this helps with the smell. Of course also want to replace the cabin air filter as well.

 

[canyonero]

I have not however there is one trick to try.

Park the truck, preferably in the shade, set HVAC temp to "HI". Turn on camp mode (to keep it from shutting off) and leave it this way for 1 hour.

Let me know if this helps with the smell. Of course also want to replace the cabin air filter as well.

I just did this a couple days ago in my stanky loaner truck for ~20 min and it cleared it right up

 

[Riviot]

This happens with many different cars. My VW Jetta did it years ago. The evaporator coils need cleaning and at the same time a new cabin filter should solve this issue. Something like Klima clean is usually what it used if you take it to a pro. Not sure how to access the evap on the Rivian just yet.

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-961...ix=auto+a/c+evaporator+cleaner,aps,440&sr=8-4

That sour smell is generally caused by mold that's formed on/in the evap coils inside the cabin heater/cooler core. They sell kits online like the Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner which will clean/remove the mold. You can check youtube on how to use it. I've had to use it on our Model 3 and on my Plug-in-Prius back in the day. It works well if you follow the directions.

I've done this in all my cars. I do it yearly at least. Never again felt mold smell in my cars

Okay smart people, where is/are the R1T/R1S evap coils? Has someone already done this with a Rivian? I swear, I'll tear apart my frunk blindly if you don't share!

Cross-posting in hopes someone has decent pics and experience.

Sponsored