Ok so I have a 92' Protege DX. The AC still works on it, except for the occasional clanking sound. But recently when I turn the AC on during a hot day. The AC stinks something potent! The smell goes away after about 10 minutes but it comes back once the car sits for a day or so. What is causing this? To explain what it smells like...it smells like something crawled in to the AC vent and Died.......which actually may be the truth for all I know.

Anyway, is there a filter or something to clean? I have no idea where to look and what to do...any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!!

 

you might have freon, or whatever the gas in ac system is called, leak and it will stink. Also i know that theres a filter for the ventilation system on mazda 3rd gen and older; However im not sure how to change it since i havent attemped that but was looking in to it.

 

Really? I didn't know Freon stinked...maybe its that since I know I have a small leak...

 

bacteria,caused by wrong use of the ac
- turn off ac about 5 mins before stopping your car/ turning off the engine...