Does your Toyota Camry have a 'weird' smell coming from the air conditioner?

Question

I have a 2008 Toyota Camry SE that I got in December; we purchased it BRAND NEW with less than 200 miles on it (so I know the entire history of the car and know there has never been any damage done.) Anyway, since I've owned the thing there has been a 'weird' smell when the AC is on. It smells like some sort of chemical coming through the vents.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm taking it in for an oil change next week so I'll ask them about it .. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar with their Camry .. (or even another Toyota car.)

Thanks ..

Answer 1

It sounds like a compressor is starting to go bad.

Answer 2

my mercury sable does

Answer 3

Its happening on my Vaxhall Astra which is 3 years old. I really dont know what it is.

Answer 4

It is a concern with the mlidew growing from condensation.  Toyota recommends that you place your A/C system on automatic so that it switches from fresh air and recirculation.  They also recommend that you regularly change your cabin air filter.  That is where the mildew accumulates and it is part of regular maintenance.

Answer 5

This happens quite frequently in many different cars of all makes.  The odor is coming from mold and mildew growing on the air conditioning's cooling coils (which would be covered with moisture that condensed on it when cooling down humid air).

Some cars like BMWs get around this by automatically heating up the AC's cooling coils to dry them out when you turn off the ignition, so mildew won't have the moisture to grow on.

I've taken to doing that with my Toyota--  Cranking up the heat for a half a minute (with the windows open of course) before I shut off my car.  Haven't had any odor problems since.