What's that smell!!
 

I know it has been posted before, but has anyone found a fix for that stinky smell that happens after you shut off the air-conditioning. My guess is that it's possibly water laying stagnant somewhere in the ductwork or is there a micro filtering system where maybe the filter is getting mildewy. If anybody has come up with a good fix please let me know.
Thanks:icon8:

That's exactly what it is, it's the condensation leaving mildew in your ventilation system. The best way to avoid getting it is to turn off your A/C a minute or two prior to parking to get all the cold air out of the vents to prevent condensation buildup.

Thanks alot!! I was wondering how a dirty sweat sock got into my vents. :D

yeah i get that too!! thought i was the only one.. but yeah i just leave mines on AUTO or OFF. Smell still won't go away

I wonder if there's anything we can spray into the air vents to kill the mold but not bleach the plastic? Does anyone know if we have replaceable air filters in our A/C system like Honda does .

Sitting for a minute or two in a car in Texas without a/c during the summer is not pleasant :(

I've noticed the smell even when the heat or A/C isn't even on. I was driving to work the other day and got a whiff of it and had to roll the window down. It's almost a chemical-like smell. Maybe I'll throw a Tic-Tac in the vent. (j/k) Yuck. :icon14:

Deb "Neuf"

Well I sprayed some liceall fresh Lenin spray disinfectant into the ventilation system today, I started with the fan on very low sprayed quite a bit into the lower intake part by your feet and shut the fan off let it sit then sprayed some more into the vents when you open the door where you can see theZ emblem in the vent and let it sit for a while. I did not put the air-conditioning on when I did this was afraid it would do something to the coil, seems harmless to the plastic and now the car smells fine, hopefully it killed the mildew.

Yeah mine has the same stink:icon13:

Same fungal problem in the past. Not in my Z yet, but had it in my pathfinder and my brother's ML430. Got ride of the problem with 1/3 can of Lysol discharged into A/C air intake (caution: not the air intake for engine). Then with all the windows rolled down and car unoccupied, run the AC through various settings for about 10 minutes. Repeated a few times, and the smell was gone. Interestingly, i faile to see why engineers just don't coat the components of the AC with antifungal agents. (Ampho B or one of the -conzoles) I try it (not on the Z of course) next time one of the cars in my family have the same smelly problem.

Thats a relief - I thought it was me......

I have it too but got rid of it by putting system on Recirc and put a watered down solution of bathroom bleach mist tru it. Lasts for about 4 weeks.

update
 

Just flipped through my Autosports International catalog.
For those who insist on using products designed for automotive use. Apparently, they sell a small spay can, advertised to get ride of the nasty smell in automotive AC. (probably overpriced Lysol)

my $0.02

Found a simple solution to the smell. I've noticed when I use the AC more often. The stink goes away. I just got my windows tinted and cant open the windows for a couple of days and have to use the AC. After you turn off the AC run the fan until warm air comes out.

AC and windows
 

I've owned my Z since November. The windows have been down less than ten times. I always run the AC in the automatic setting and adjust the temp as needed. I have not noticed a bad smell.... except when I leave my gym bag in the back over night, hahaha

Free Patriot

I think I'll try the lysol trick on mine. Where exactly is the a/c intake?

The AC intake is underneath the dashboard on both sides of the stereo as long as you have the AC coming out of the top only

This fix does not last for long, it's probably that stupid micron air filter holding moisture and turning into mold