funky mold issues - has anyone gotten sick?

OH-Six SalsaVibe · Post by **OH-Six SalsaVibe** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:59 pm

Now, I'm not sure if I'm sick or not... but my throat gets kinda funky when I'm in the car and for a time after I get out. I have that sour mold stench problem as described in the "That funk has got to go" thread. I just wondered if anyone else with this problem has actually gotten sick from it. I'm scared to drive my Vibe for fear of worsening my symptoms.Also... does anyone know what kind of mold likes it down there? PLEASE tell me if you think it's Toxic Black Mold. That can cause serious damage if left untreated.I did the Lysol thing once, but it needs it again. A co-worker suggested using Clorox Anywhere spray because it's better than alcohol-based Lysol. I'm also replacing the cabin filter which was pretty full of leaf particles and stuff.Please help me get back to loving my Vibe! (in sickness or in health )

ou.grizzly · Post by **ou.grizzly** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:04 pm

What year Vibe? Are you the only owner ever? Do you have a moon roof? Do you use your A/C or defroster setting a lot?

OH-Six SalsaVibe · Post by **OH-Six SalsaVibe** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:10 pm

It's a 2006. I bought it used from a local dealership. It has no moon roof. I don't think I over use the recirculate or the defroster. I know now after reading other posts that I should let it run on outside air for a while before shutting it off.

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:04 pm

You should check the AC condensate drain line... Usually people find out about the line when it's come off and soaked the carpet...If you lok under the passenger side of the dash, right at the very bottom there is a line, that rins form the heat/AC core and turns out toward the engine bay.. If that is blocked in any way, you might not be draining.. if you aren't draining, could be like old beer in a bottle... moldy and stank.. Check it out... it's easily removed and cleaned..

TONY TAT2 · Post by **TONY TAT2** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:07 am

I was readen about a fungacide you could spray in there,but the article says to drill a hole in the hvac box. Sprayen chlorine in there, imho,isn't 2good of a idea.It will take time for the odor to go away & isn't a guarantee the mold won't return. BTW,popular mechanics had the article on the fungacide if ya want to do a search.

OH-Six SalsaVibe · Post by **OH-Six SalsaVibe** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:41 am

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look for that drain line and make sure it's functioning... and I'll look up the fungicide from Popular Mechanics. Love that magazine.

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:08 pm

Quote, originally posted by OH-Six SalsaVibe Â»Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look for that drain line and make sure it's functioning... and I'll look up the fungicide from Popular Mechanics. Love that magazine.Yeah, someone here mentioned that theirs was blocked by spider webs... lol... Lysol is a great fungicide BTW, I have to use it on my bathroom ceiling from time to time, as I don't have a fart fan..

TONY TAT2 · Post by **TONY TAT2** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:51 pm

I did a little more searchen, The BG name has been around for as long as i can remember in the auto/truck line. The foam will completely engulf the evaporator & the heater core,both are usually in the same compartment,the price seems reasonable also,i would use it.http://www.ac-evaporator-cleaner.com/

OH-Six SalsaVibe · Post by **OH-Six SalsaVibe** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:05 pm

That stuff looks pretty cool! Sounds like it would work well too... it does all the stuff I need it to do. Get rid of the stink and the source of stink.Thanks!

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:53 am

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 Â»I did a little more searchen, The BG name has been around for as long as i can remember in the auto/truck line. The foam will completely engulf the evaporator & the heater core,both are usually in the same compartment,the price seems reasonable also,i would use it.http://www.ac-evaporator-cleaner.com/Nice, I was wonderin how one would get to everything.. Foam, perfect..

Fisher · Post by **Fisher** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 11:23 am

Have you ever changed the cabin air filter? Last time I changed it was pretty moldy looking.

ou.grizzly · Post by **ou.grizzly** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:00 pm

Good read for the issue:http://autorepair.about.com/cs...a.htm

OH-Six SalsaVibe · Post by **OH-Six SalsaVibe** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:38 am

Changing the cabin air filter was one thing I did. I got one that has baking soda for extra freshness. The old one wasn't moldy itself but it had a lot of junk caught in it and needed replaced. I ordered a Frigi-Clean kit with the foam to clean it all out inside. I'm going to have a local shop do it for me though because I'm not drilling any holes in my own evaporator core! I'm just waiting now for BG to send me the pneumatic fitting that was supposed to come with the kit. I'll update on whether the stuff works or not after I get it all done. For now, I've just done the Lysol thing again and the filter change, and it's a lot fresher in there already!

OH-Six SalsaVibe · Post by **OH-Six SalsaVibe** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:42 am

thanks, that was a very helpful article. I'm going with the Frigi-Clean kit for now, and will limit the use of the A/C (especially on recirculate) in the future.

cq358 · Post by **cq358** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:51 am

that why my co worker said my car smelled like locker room.. like inside a men's change room after hockey game..

funky mold issues - has anyone gotten sick?

funky mold issues - has anyone gotten sick?

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