Air conditioner - I feel the outside smells

[007]

Hi, I was driving my XC90 going behind a diesel big truck, and I could felt the smell from the truck muffler that was introduced to my SUV through the a/c windows (vents). I always use the the a/c with the AUTO mode and MAN function, I also replaced the air cabin (pollen) filter, but the problem is not solved...

I will really appreciate if you can tell me what parts to check or any other help.

NOTE: I also tried the AUT and the other function, and I have the same problem...

Thanks.

[voltech1]

You are saying that you use manual recirculation and still smelly? You can check the function of your recirculation by running fan at full speed and switching between recirc on/off and you should notice a difference audibly and in air flow. AUT recirc uses an air quality sensor to control recirc but it does not seem to work in manual either. the recirculation duct is behind the glove box and maybe something is obstucting the recirc door or faulty damper motor for recirculation.

[007]

You are saying that you use manual recirculation and still smelly? You can check the function of your recirculation by running fan at full speed and switching between recirc on/off and you should notice a difference audibly and in air flow. AUT recirc uses an air quality sensor to control recirc but it does not seem to work in manual either. the recirculation duct is behind the glove box and maybe something is obstucting the recirc door or faulty damper motor for recirculation.

Hi, thanks for your reply. I checked the recirc duct that has a cover (I think this is to avoid water to go into the rectangle shape duct), and the small window that I think it must be completely closed and the smell is not supposed to get inside the car, only if this window is open it should let the smell goes in. The think is that the window is closed and I also made a ¨leather cover¨ with elastic band and putted on the rectangle shape duct (this way it is impossible for the smell to introduce into the car...), BUT it still !!!!!. So, I was checking more and found this part ¨#8666595 Electrical fan¨, and I can see some hoses (2 or 3) that goes directly to the interior of the car and I don´t know what is the function of this fan...

To be honest, I am very angry and sad because no dealer can find and solve the real problem... I am thinking about the duct that takes the A/C into the car, maybe there is a crack or something...

What is the exactly position that the A/C should be as standard if you don´t want air from outside?, MAN + AUTO?

Regards.

[007]

You are saying that you use manual recirculation and still smelly? You can check the function of your recirculation by running fan at full speed and switching between recirc on/off and you should notice a difference audibly and in air flow. AUT recirc uses an air quality sensor to control recirc but it does not seem to work in manual either. the recirculation duct is behind the glove box and maybe something is obstucting the recirc door or faulty damper motor for recirculation.

Hi, thanks for your reply. I checked the recirc duct that has a cover (I think this is to avoid water to go into the rectangle shape duct), and the small window that I think it must be completely closed and the smell is not supposed to get inside the car, only if this window is open it should let the smell goes in. The think is that the window is closed and I also made a ¨leather cover¨ with elastic band and putted on the rectangle shape duct (this way it is impossible for the smell to introduce into the car...), BUT it still !!!!!. So, I was checking more and found this part ¨#8666595 Electrical fan¨, and I can see some hoses (2 or 3) that goes directly to the interior of the car and I don´t know what is the function of this fan...

To be honest, I am very angry and sad because no dealer can find and solve the real problem... I am thinking about the duct that takes the A/C into the car, maybe there is a crack or something...

What is the exactly position that the A/C should be as standard if you don´t want air from outside?, MAN + AUTO?

Regards.

SOLVED!!!

This ¨famous¨ small window, when it is completely closed, has a black material (sponge similar) at the upper part (frame), and found this ¨sponge¨ was damaged. I sprayed air freshener through that small space with the A/C ON and I felt the freshener smell inside the car. So, what I did was replace the damaged sponge, and replace it with a harder packing material (also similar to a hard sponge) and then tried spraying air freshener, and I didn´t feel the smell.

This way the problem was solved...!!!

Thanks for reading.