Turned on heater smells similar to vinegar, Anyone else notice this?

[JAM486HP]

Anyone else notice this when the car was new and you first started using the heater? I Bought mine new this year, ran ac few times over summer, no smell. Turned the heat on second time this season and has a slight sour almost vinegar smell.

Always kept clean, in a dry temp controlled garage. garaged I know ac condensation can cause mold/bacteria to build up over time though the car is not a year old, only 3K miles. I never had mold buildup on any car before, a/c dries out, always check cabin filter. New car should not have mold in the duct work.

Any ideas?

BTW I took delivery way before that Ford lot got flooded

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[Billycar11]

chlorine gas is the best way to get rid of it have a Chrysler 300 that does that.
it happens to any car that the hvac box stays damp

 

[Alan Applegate]

All kinds of odors can permeate fabrics and other porous materials, with cigarette odor being about the worse one. Some of those get stuck in the cabin air filter which is the best place to start. I prefer the cabin filters equipped with activated carbon to help absorb all sorts of contaminants.

By the way, the GT apparently uses a different filter cartridge than the Eco-Boost (two different part numbers).

 

[Skye]

The times you have operated the A/C, is the condensing water emptying out into the pavement, as expected?

The heater core is always on, always has hot water circulating through it. I haven't studied the ducting before, but I'd expect the heater and A/C evaporator cores to be separated, in their own areas, each connected to the main collector for all the vents.

Could be as the heater hasn't been run much until now, whatever has been resting is being cooked out.

Options...

1. Run the heater a few more times to see if the smell is continues.

2. Run the front defrost, full fans speed, max heat, while driving, windows cracked. Smell what happens.

3. Remove the cabin filter, smell, feel, and explore that section with your hands.

Edit,

As part of the delivery process, the techs are to run the A/C and heat at different intervals, max settings and fans, to blow everything out of the ducting. I know they did on mine, because the inside of the front windshield was filthy the first time I cleaned it.

 

[MustangWade]

Ughh my f150 does this because it’s so damn humid here in Delaware. It’s mainly me AC that smells like that though. So far so good on the mustang for now.

 

[roadpilot]

By the way, the GT apparently uses a different filter cartridge than the Eco-Boost (two different part numbers).

It's the exact same filter regardless of engine.

 

[Paul's stable]

Anyone else notice this when the car was new and you first started using the heater? I Bought mine new this year, ran ac few times over summer, no smell. Turned the heat on second time this season and has a slight sour almost vinegar smell.

Always kept clean, in a dry temp controlled garage. garaged I know ac condensation can cause mold/bacteria to build up over time though the car is not a year old, only 3K miles. I never had mold buildup on any car before, a/c dries out, always check cabin filter. New car should not have mold in the duct work.

Any ideas?

BTW I took delivery way before that Ford lot got flooded

That picture is gut wrenching. As for your problem I am not sure. However my DH has same mileage as yours in a heated garage but I have never used the heater just A/C as I only drive in nice weather. So now I'm going to go start it and put the heat on to see if I have the same problem. As it has been parked for over a month because of rain everyday

 

[Bikeman315]

It's the exact same filter regardless of engine.

Exactly. Actually it's the same as the S550.

https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/fr3z-19n619-a.html

 

[roadpilot]

Exactly. Actually it's the same as the S550.

https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/fr3z-19n619-a.html

When installed in the HVAC assembly as they are built, the OE part number is T901999. This is for both LHD and RHD Mustangs. Also, the new USPS mail trucks (produced by Oshkosh) being put into service use a very slightly modified S650 HVAC unit (and filter) as well.

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