Summer is here, and most of us are probably running our A/C. Over time, this weird, funky smell develops, and sometimes this smell lingers and never leaves! This usually means that there are some mold, bacteria, fungi, and micro-organisms (for simplicity, I’m just going to refer to these as microbes) growing within the A/C evaporator housing, causing the funky smell.
These microbes grow in the A/C evaporator housing due to moisture buildup from condensation. Toyota addresses this issue with their A/C Refresher Kit, which, when used, kills the microbes growing within your A/C unit.
What is an AC Refresh?
The A/C Refresher service is a two-part process. … The second stage is where we apply a conditioning spray directly into the vents and intake ducts. Again, this is to capture and remove any contaminants in your system, leaving you with a fresh, scent-free vehicle. – Toyota
Table Of Contents
What You’ll Need
Tools & Materials:
- Toyota AC Refresher Kit (00289-ACRKT)
- Plastic Fastener Prybar
- Drain Pan
- 3/8 ID Tube ~12″ (Optional)
- 3/8 Barbed Connector (Optional)
- Safety Glasses (Not Shown and Optional)
- Cabin Air Filter (optional)
Step 1. Locating the AC Evaporator Drain Hose
Turn the steering wheel to the left and turn off the vehicle; this will maximize the workspace. Using the plastic pry bar, remove the top two plastic clips on the aft splash guard.
Locate the A/C evaporator drain hose. It’s the 90-degree hose located right behind the rear plastic clip. If you are unsure, water will drip from it if the A/C has been running.
Step 2. Extending the drain hose to the drain pan
This step is optional but highly recommended. Since the drain hose points straight down towards the frame, it’s a good idea to use a 3/8 barbed connector and hose to extend it past the frame and towards the drain pan, keeping the mess to a minimum.
Step 3. Dispensing A/C Power Foam Evaporator Cleaner
Connect the AC Power Foam wedge adaptor to the drain tube extension. Push the wedge into the tube securely; it should be tight enough that once you start dispensing the cleaning foam, it stays put.
Shake the can vigorously before dispensing the cleansing foam into the A/C evaporator housing.
You’ll want to dispense about half of a can’s worth of cleaning foam into the evaporator housing. Keep shaking the can as you dispense the foam.
The foam will expand once it leaves the canister, and the pressure from the expansion will likely dislodge the wedge adaptor (wear eye protection to prevent this stuff from getting into your eyes). If this happens, it is likely at the halfway point.
After it expands, the cleaning foam will liquify. Position the drain pan under the extension hose and let it drain for about 10 minutes. And then repeat the process with the remaining cleaning foam.
This is what came out after cleaning my evaporator, yuck.
Step 4. Dispensing ConditionAire Ventilation System Refresher
Close all the windows and remove anything living from the vehicle. Open the glove box and remove the cabin filter. Once the filter has been removed, reinstall the cabin air filter cover (white one). Start up your vehicle and make sure the engine is running for this next section. Doing this will prevent the battery from dying.
Set the A/C Settings to the following:
- FAN: HI
- RECIRCULATE: OFF
- A/C: OFF
- TEMP: COLD (BLUE)
- FAN POSITION: BODY, FLOOR, and DEFROST
Close all windows and doors before the next step.
Start with the fan set to “BODY.” Spray the ventilation system refresher into the cabin intake vent on the passenger side (under the passenger wiper blade) for about 30 seconds (the can says 45 seconds, but that will leave you empty for the DEFROST step). Then set the fan to “FLOOR” and repeat the process. Finally, set the fan to “DEFROST” and spray the remaining contents of the can until it is empty.
Step 5. Venting the cabin
Roll down the windows and allow the fan to run for another 6 minutes. Cycle through the fan positions (BODY, FLOOR, and DEFROST) every two minutes
Step 6. Reinstall the cabin filter
Check the condition of your air filter. If it needs replacing, the part numbers for the air filters are 87139-YZZ10 or 87139-50100.
Reinstall the cabin air filter and turn the A/C to “ON”. Drive around with the windows down until the spray smell is tolerable. The smell will eventually subside after a few drives.
Final Thoughts
I typically do this once a year during the summer months when the A/C is used a lot. This really helps cut down on microbes growing inside the A/C evaporator housing. However, it doesn’t eliminate the funky smell, but it does cut down on the intensity and duration at startup. By doing this annually, you are keeping the microbes from reaching critical mass and smelling up your cabin, ensuring more pleasant drives to come!
Tip: I find that the best way to minimize this is to turn off the A/C compressor and run the fan on “HI” 5 minutes prior to arriving at your destination. This will bring the evaporator closer to ambient temperature and reduce moisture buildup once the car is off.
Would it be overkill to do this twice if you suspect it’s never been done on a 2014, for good measure? Haha. My AC smells fine but the defroster developed a funk over the winter. Driving me nuts!
This is great, the evaporator drain pipe is relatively easy to get to although I never would have tried it without reading this first! I saw people using the kit where you apply it via the dashboard vents having damaged their radios etc. This seems like such a more intelligent method.
Best post on this topic!
I actually used high-pressure water gun (from my apartment) in place of the Toyota cleaning foam, and regular air fresher in place of the official spray. And it works out!
The funky smell that forms from a previous spill of whey smoothie (into the vent under the driver seat) and two-year accumulation of moisture build-up is now completely gone!
The tricky part is that I should’ve not shoot the water into the drain hose for more than 5 seconds, as some water did come out from under the glove box (not too much, but just filler my rubber mat). Next time I would probably do 3 secs each time, and for multiple times, or either put a bucket there.
Great post! Thank you so much for writing this up. I went to Toyota Service and they quoted me $189 for this ac refresher service. This post saved me some time and money! Worked wonderfully
Wow, Was trying to figure out how that was done.
Thanks
Great write up…THX! Easy process that took less than an hour. Funk smell is GONE. One tip, make sure you let the ‘Step 1’ foamer fully drain before you turn on the fans…otherwise it pulls the foam up and spays out the vents. I put a beach towel on the seats just to make sure no splatter hit the leather.
I just did this and it works well with Toyota kit. I paid $28 for my but found that same Subaru kit is only $15. For those who does this each year it might be worth looking at. Subaru part # SOA 868V9315.
Can confirm that the Subaru part number is still much cheaper in 2024.
i see on the forum some people recommend to do this through the blue plug on the evap box on the driverside footwell. Is there a difference?
I suppose you could but the drain would have to be plugged so that the foam stays in the evap box long enough to do the job. I prefer keeping any potential mess outside of the vehicle.