On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:03:54 -0000, gigelus2k3
<popescu.serban@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Jul 9, 9:00 pm, "Michael Pardee" <michaeltn...@cybertrails.com>
>wrote:
>> "gigelus2k3" <popescu.ser...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1184037309.219513.254280@g37g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>> > Hi,
>>
>> > I just started noticing a rather minor inconvenience with my '98
>> > Civic. Whenever I'm starting the car after previously turning it off
>> > with the A/C working, for the first few minutes the ventilated air has
>> > a tepid smell, regardless of whether the A/C works or not. The smell
>> > is hard to describe, it hints an old, rotten, steaming rag. This did
>> > not happen before or with my other, newer Civic.
>>
>> > If previously the car was turned off without having the A/C operating,
>> > no smell comes out when I turned it back on.
>>
>> > What's up with this? Does the A/C need some sort of servicing? Is this
>> > the way old A/C goes?
>>
>> > Thank you.
>>
>> The drain may need to be cleaned out. It is nothing more than a plastic tube
>> that runs from the drain pan to the underside of the car near the
>> passenger's feet. Cleaning is done by running a cleaning rod of some sort up
>> the tube or by blowing air through it. If the drain plugs up altogether it
>> is common for the drain pan to overflow with condensed water and soak the
>> carpet on the passenger side.
>>
>> This is a very common problem and not often easy to correct. The smell comes
>> from mold trying to grow in the evaporator and drain pan. IIRC it was one of
>> the regulars here that came up with a vodka procedure (no kidding!) to knock
>> down the mold - maybe he will update me. This product has had good reviews,
>> too:http://www.carfood.com/bgfridsysdis.html
>>
>> Mike
>
>Thanks for the heads-up. I'm glad that this is a common occurrence :-)
>Where can I find some drawings or procedure description about this
>thing? Is this tube accessible from the interior?
>
>Thank you.

It is a common occurrence and the suggestions offered so far are good,
but here is something easy that works for me. Anticipate arrival at
your destination and turn the AC off a mile or so before you get
there. Run the fan at full blast. The cabin doesn't heat up much and
it completely eliminates the problem in both my Hondas. (At least to
the extent of my ability to smell it.)