Smelly A/C?

[240vPlug]

I understand that. My rant was that it turns off heat too. Too much automation, that isn't perfect.

True, GM did the same thing with the bolt...but changed that for the 2019 model year. In this case though the goal is to disengage the compressor and dry the evaporator coils prior to parking the vehicle. I think the toggle, while not ideally setup, will still accomplish this.

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[Riviot]

A rotten egg/sulfur or vinegar kind of smell form the A/C is usually from a damp/moldy evap coil assembly which needs to be cleaned with the spray @240vPlug linked above.

Prius drivers have been struggling with this phenomenon for years due to poor drainage and have come up with a procedure to help keep moisture from forming mold on the evep coils:
About 5min before your trip ends- turn the A/C off and just run the HVAC on fresh air with no A/C running. This will blow outside air over the evap coils and dry it off before you shut the vehicle down preventing a damp evap assembly and mold growth.

Changing the Cabin Air Filter...

$35? Shipped from service center? Come on, Rivian...

It measures 230 x 200 x 30 mm. I think this is the OEM filter:
https://catalog.mann-filter.com/EU/... (T00000000813215)/Cabin Air Filter/CU 23 003

This is the closest I've found, belongs to an Infiniti Q50 and others:
https://size.name/en/products/ac206j

I'm going to pick this up local today and try it:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgd4/3696hp

 

[NY_Rob]

I guess we really need the exact measurements of the OEM filter.... one poster on the Youtube thread said the OEM filter is 210 mm x 227 mm x 30 mm?

If so, I found this on reddit regarding a similar sized filter for a Hyundai:
"Rock Auto $6- Champ CAF10079P.
I bought and installed this after doing a lot of research. It fits well. In mm OEM is 210 x 227 x 30. Champ is 209.5 x 224.3 x 28.4. It is made for a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid."

It all depends on the size of the OEM Rivian filter.

 

[R2D2]

My theory is that the smell is caused by using automated car washes, I think they either recycle the water or use grey water that finds its way into the Cabin air filter. My theory is based on a completely uninformed speculation.

 

[240vPlug]

My theory is that the smell is caused by using automated car washes, I think they either recycle the water or use grey water that finds its way into the Cabin air filter. My theory is based in a completely uninformed speculation.

My running theory is garaged vehicle are more susceptible. The smell comes from moisture sitting in the evaporator coil and not evaporating quick enough.

 

[Riviot]

My running theory is garaged vehicle are more susceptible. The smell comes from moisture sitting in the evaporator coil and not evaporating quick enough.

Have we found said coil in the Rivian yet? Is it easily accessible for cleaning?

 

[Riviot]

$35? Shipped from service center? Come on, Rivian...

It measures 230 x 200 x 30 mm. I think this is the OEM filter:
https://catalog.mann-filter.com/EU/eng/catalog/MANN-FILTER Katalog Europa/Vehicles/CARS + TRANSPORTERS/INFINITI/Q50 (V37)/2.0 Turbo M274 (T00000000813215)/Cabin Air Filter/CU 23 003

This is the closest I've found, belongs to an Infiniti Q50 and others:
https://size.name/en/products/ac206j

I'm going to pick this up local today and try it:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgd4/3696hp

It fits! $30 after taxes here, can get wherever.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgd4/3696hp

Now where is that compressor?

 

[Tony R1S]

Just FYI, I just discovered that "pet comfort" mode automatically switches to re-circ mode when I re-enter the car. I didn't realize this until the foul smell started happening the next day, and as soon as I unchecked re-circ setting the smell went away. Now I need to take an extra step to uncheck that button every time I return to the car after using pet comfort mode... annoying..

 

[zymolysis]

So you're saying the frunk isn't the spot for my dirty gym socks?

Sure it is. Just leave them there until they stop smelling - then you can wear them again.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Your goal should be to make sure your air box is always dry before you turn your car off.

I make it a habit to turn up the temperature to Hi and turn off recirculate 2 minutes before I get to my destination and then let it dry for another minute or two while I grab my items to leave the car.

I use the remote app to precondition the car and change the temp from hi to low when I want to cool it down.

This has helped to keep any sort of smell away or mold from growing in humid climates.

 

[Christopher]

Has anybody figured out how to get to the coil for cleaning without having to remove the entire HVAC assembly?

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