Jim Grant's Tech Tips

Bad Odor Smells Like Mold

Q: Why do I get a bad odor when I turn on the vent, heater or air conditioner? Is this smell bad for my health ?

- John M.

A: Breathing mold spores is not good for anybody's heath! Why is there mold in your ventilation system? Either water is not draining correctly, there is tree and leaf type matter collected in the system or rodents have stopped in and laid the ground work for a new housing development. If your vehicle is equipped (it would be great to know what you have for a vehicle) with a cabin filter then it may need replacing. For those of you who do not know, many of today's vehicle have a filter for filtering the incoming air for the passenger compartment. This filter works great and I think it's the best thing since milking parlors! If you grew up on a dairy farm you'd understand. Also cabin filters can be upgraded with charcoal filter elements. With these filters you can hardly tell you're following a smelly diesel truck. In any case your vehicle's ventilation system needs a cleaning, rotor rooting, rodent routing or a new cabin filter.