2019 STI Smell from the vents

mEmENT0m0RI · 11-15-2019, 11:24 PM

Non-exhaust like smell coming from the vents. Comes and goes, most often happens after starting the car up.
Took to the dealer several times. Last time made the dealer perform pressure test on the cooling system.
What else could it be?

Thanks!

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Mulder · 11-16-2019, 07:55 AM

Non-exhaust doesn't tell us much. What does it smell like? Old socks, strawberries? More info would help here.
A 2019 is probably too new for mold/mildew buildup in the evaporator but anything's possible. Pull the cabin filter and see if there's anything there.

CoronaWRX · 11-16-2019, 11:28 AM

Are you using your AC when getting these smells?

Big-E · 11-16-2019, 06:05 PM

The ventilation system is designed to automatically cycle the a/c compressor, even though the controls and/or notification (mode setting display) do not say/state that the a/c is on and/or in use.

Therefore, depending on the outside and inside atmospheric conditions, when the a/c cycles, you will get an odor, whether or not it definitely smells like mold or mildew.

mEmENT0m0RI · 11-18-2019, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulder

Non-exhaust doesn't tell us much. What does it smell like? Old socks, strawberries? More info would help here.
A 2019 is probably too new for mold/mildew buildup in the evaporator but anything's possible. Pull the cabin filter and see if there's anything there.

Definitely more like strawberries than old socks

. I replaced cabin filter (nothing weird on it) - did not help. Hard to describe smells with words, If I were to guess, it smells like car-wash detergent.
I normally wash the car myself, only took it through the car wash once about a year ago. Is it possible for that stuff to accumulate somewhere for such a long time?

mEmENT0m0RI · 11-18-2019, 07:04 PM

It did smell a bit in the summer too with A/C on, not nearly as much though as when the heat is on.

mEmENT0m0RI · 11-18-2019, 07:07 PM

One other thing, I had custom audio put in. Anything that those ppl could've messed up with wiring that would impact the ventilation subsystem in this way?

Shinji N · 11-19-2019, 03:01 PM

Does it matter if you have the system on external air or recirculating?
Have you tested every single different combination of settings to see if they have smell or don’t have smell?

Be methodical. Understand what you’re testing.

11-15-2019, 11:24 PM	#1
mEmENT0m0RI Scooby Newbie Member#: 365299 Join Date: Aug 2013	2019 STI Smell from the vents Non-exhaust like smell coming from the vents. Comes and goes, most often happens after starting the car up. Took to the dealer several times. Last time made the dealer perform pressure test on the cooling system. What else could it be? Thanks! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-18-2019, 07:04 PM	#6
mEmENT0m0RI Scooby Newbie Member#: 365299 Join Date: Aug 2013	It did smell a bit in the summer too with A/C on, not nearly as much though as when the heat is on. Last edited by mEmENT0m0RI; 11-18-2019 at 07:12 PM.

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11-16-2019, 07:55 AM	#2
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 RAV4 MT 15 WRX/05 GTO	Non-exhaust doesn't tell us much. What does it smell like? Old socks, strawberries? More info would help here. A 2019 is probably too new for mold/mildew buildup in the evaporator but anything's possible. Pull the cabin filter and see if there's anything there.

11-16-2019, 11:28 AM	#3
CoronaWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 431618 Join Date: Oct 2015 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Tucson, AZ Vehicle: 2019 STI CWP	Are you using your AC when getting these smells?

11-16-2019, 06:05 PM	#4
Big-E NASIOC Supporter Member#: 123843 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Connecticut Vehicle: 2016 STI LTD CWP Let LED's light your way!	The ventilation system is designed to automatically cycle the a/c compressor, even though the controls and/or notification (mode setting display) do not say/state that the a/c is on and/or in use. Therefore, depending on the outside and inside atmospheric conditions, when the a/c cycles, you will get an odor, whether or not it definitely smells like mold or mildew.

11-18-2019, 07:07 PM	#7
mEmENT0m0RI Scooby Newbie Member#: 365299 Join Date: Aug 2013	One other thing, I had custom audio put in. Anything that those ppl could've messed up with wiring that would impact the ventilation subsystem in this way?

11-19-2019, 03:01 PM	#8
Shinji N Scooby Specialist Member#: 3987 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Los Angeles, CA Vehicle: 1998 2.5RS Blue	Does it matter if you have the system on external air or recirculating? Have you tested every single different combination of settings to see if they have smell or don’t have smell? Be methodical. Understand what you’re testing.