A/C Smells Like Vinegar (Not Teen Spirit)

[Oldfart]

That's crazy. I've had Fords most of my life in South Florida(hot & humid) and have yet to have this happen to me. My wifes expedition is a 2018, but gets to get parked in the garage, so not sure if that is helping it from not stinking?

I think it's just that we have a lot of members with stinky manginas looking for something to blame it on.

 

[Sonicsunspot]

I think it's just that we have a lot of members with stinky manginas looking for something to blame it on.

OldFart I heard you tried reversing the wires on your seat blowers to see if you could get them suck in air versus blowing out air. How’d that work out?

 

[Oldfart]

OldFart I heard you tried reversing the wires on your seat blowers to see if you could get them suck in air versus blowing out air. How’d that work out?

It made the carpet rot under my seat!!!

 

[lawdog]

OldFart I heard you tried reversing the wires on your seat blowers to see if you could get them suck in air versus blowing out air. How’d that work out?

They already suck air in...

 

[RapCar]

Reviving this thread. New member here, picked up my 18' from CO in January and brought it home to Phoenix, AZ. The vinegar smell is unbearable and it's not going to get better with summertime around the corner.

Was this issue ever resolved? If anyone can post helpful updates it would be much appreciated!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B3xg7ogck7TroWXL7

 

[Sonicsunspot]

Saw this thread revived. I was the OP. From my experiences, start by making sure you have no water leaks. The A/C drain is a common fix, you can find a replacement part here:
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-part...bpW5McLP9boNnbWrNr49MvqfPT0s0cQwaAmrfEALw_wcB

Some people experienced water leaking in the cabin from the faulty design of that drain. This lead to moldy smell in the cabin and potentially the A/C vinegar smell.

I also removed the cabin air filter, turned on the A/C on high and sprayed Lysol in the intakes near the windshield wipers. Also sprayed some up in the cabin filter compartment when it was removed. I did this several times. I plan to do it again the Spring when the weather warms up.

Finally, simply replace the cabin filter a couple times annually.

I conceded this is all simply moisture condensing or building up in the vents and then molding. More moisture in the cabin means more mold. Some folks turn off their A/C a few minutes prior to turning off their truck (or car) - it all comes back to limiting the moisture build up in the vents and cabin.

BTW - yeah, it’s a $70k truck and all that so WTF. But keep in mind it’s a really large cabin space, and in researching I saw this in a lot of vehicles with large interiors - SUVs and trucks. Hot outside and a large interior getting cooled by impressive A/C systems leads to condensation. At least that’s my guess.

 

[lawdog]

Mine has started doing it again/already here in SC in just the few weeks of intermittent A/C use thus far this Spring. Truck going in for service 4/23, going to lean on them again about it/to do the condenser spray TSB FordTech1 posted again. If that doesn't work, I'm going to open a case with Ford and try to have the parts replaced.

Again, I had two Lexus SUVs, a GMC Yukon, and big Tundra before the Raptor. My parents have had Suburbans since the 1980s...no other vehicle has ever done this. Oh, yeah, except my wife's 2019 Expedition. It's a Ford thing with this AC system.

 

[Sonicsunspot]

Mine has started doing it again/already here in SC in just the few weeks of intermittent A/C use thus far this Spring. Truck going in for service 4/23, going to lean on them again about it/to do the condenser spray TSB FordTech1 posted again. If that doesn't work, I'm going to open a case with Ford and try to have the parts replaced.

Again, I had two Lexus SUVs, a GMC Yukon, and big Tundra before the Raptor. My parents have had Suburbans since the 1980s...no other vehicle has ever done this. Oh, yeah, except my wife's 2019 Expedition. It's a Ford thing with this AC system.

Please keep us in the loop. So far mine has been ok but we haven’t really had any consecutive days or warmth to really test it out. Hell it snowed here today.

 

[GCATX]

I had to read back through this thread to refresh my memory, but last July I pulled the filter out and left it out.
So far so good! That's the only thing that worked for me.

 

[Oldfart]

I haven't ever had any issues with mine. I think my vicious old man farts kill off whatever it is that makes your trucks smell.