Cabin smell with heat on

[Copcheck]

First post, did a search and my question appears slightly different than the results I got from a forum search.

2009 Liberty with 30k

Most people seem to get a cabin smell from starting up their A/C or when using the heat on defrost.

My issue is with the chest level vents only and heat only. When I turn my heat on the main vents it smells musty for about 3-5 minutes and it goes away. Doesn't happen with A/C or defrost vents.

After reading some posts, I started thinking heater core, but wouldn't I smell that with defrost and foot vents too? I don't use recirculate, so I'm not sure it's a mold issue.

Any thoughts? I am going to replace the cabin filters, but again, wouldn't I smell it with defrost and foot vents too?

Thanks.

 

[Dave]

There is no air filter for the cabin. If it was the heater core it would smell like anti-freeze in any setting and you said it only has 30K on it so I would think it's not that. From your explanation I would lean towards some mold in the duct somewhere like you are thinking. I have some stuff in the garage called "Ozium Air Sanitizer" that is supposed to kill bacteria and you spray it in the ducts. I got it for another vehicle but havn't tried it yet.

Welcome to the forum.

Dave

 

[Copcheck]

Thanks Dave, I'll check into that.

It definitely doesn't smell like oil, anti-freeze or anything like that and it goes away after just a few minutes.

I'll give that product a try.

Thanks again.

 

[NJallDAY]

Ozium works great!

 

[trent.brown]

I use lysol sprayed in the outside ac vent with the ac running to get the whole system.

 

[4x4kayak2112]

Ive noticed mine smells like fireworks sometimes, cant find out why.

Sent from my Home Phone using Tapatalk 2

 

[martin_metal_88]

Same for me, only smell when using the windows blower...can be lot's of thing but I don't think it mean something is broken...maybe just the duct is cracked which is...I don't care at all.

 

[Copcheck]

Thanks for the help everyone.

I think I'm going to get a can of Ozium and try that. If I set my cabin to recirculate, where is that vent actually located? Is it behind the glove box?

I'm trying for figure out where to spray the ozium so it get sucked into the system.

Thanks again.

 

[dude1116]

2009 had a cabin air filter option, didn't it?

Honestly I get the same smell. But usually it's because I park in a parking garage on a moist day. The whole place smells like that.

 

[Porkchop]

If I remember correct Tjkj said it started in 08

 

[Copcheck]

My Jeep is an 09 and there is no cabin filter.

However, is that the location where the air is sucked in to recirculate?

Thanks