A/C - Musty/Moldy Odors In Passenger Compartment

No.: TSB-02-55-005
DATE: July, 2002
MODEL: All with A/C
SUBJECT:
MUSTY ODORS FROM AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C EVAPORATOR COIL TREATMENT)

PURPOSE

This bulletin contains instructions for applying Mitsubishi Cooling Coil Coating to help
eliminate musty odors emanating from the air conditioner evaporator coils.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Symptom/Condition

The customer may complain of an unpleasant, "musty" odor in the passenger

compartment when the fan blower is switched on. This condition can be related to the
area where the vehicle is operated, occurring more often in humid climates.

Cause

The unpleasant "musty" odor from the air conditioner system occurs when condensation,
which is a normal occurrence, forms in and around the air conditioner's evaporator coil
and mixes with airborne pollutants and substances.

Remedy

To eliminate these odors, treat the air conditioner evaporator/cooling coil with Mitsubishi
Cooling Coil Coating. This coating will not only eliminate the odors, but will protect the
evaporator coil.

On most vehicles, the coating can be applied onto the A/C evaporator coil surfaces
through the interior air recirculate door. This door is usually accessible from behind the
glove box.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

All Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with air conditioning

PROCEDURES
IMPORTANT Follow these procedures exactly. If you do not allow enough time for
drying and curing, the coating will wash away with the condensate, causing a comeback.

The complete treatment takes about 2 hours including drying and curing. Actual labor,
however, is about 20 minutes.

CAUTION Safety Precautions to follow when using Mitsubishi Cooling Coil Coating
^ Keep out of reach of children.
^ Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
^ Wear skin and eye protection.
^ Avoid breathing vapors. Use a breathing protection mask (3M: 07185 is recommended).

If skin or eye contact occurs, wash skin or flush eyes with generous amounts of water.

1. Check the evaporator for airflow clogging or blockage by leaves or other foreign
materials and remove the blockage before proceeding.
NOTE :If the buildup of the materials causing the clogging or blockage is excessive,
replace the evaporator assembly

2. Drop or remove the glove box to gain access to the fan and duct assembly. On 1999-
2003 Galants and 2000-2003 Eclipse with the A/C, heater, ventilation system filter,
remove the filter element.
NOTE :The HVAC filter which must be removed was original equipment on 1999-
2000 Galant and 2000 Eclipse. Be sure to check later models, also. This filter was a
dealer installed option for 2001-03 Galant and Eclipse.
3. Set the A/C heater controls as follows:
^ Temperature control on HOT.
^ Fan on HI position
^ Air mode to RECIRC
^ Vent position to BI-LEVEL
4. Open all windows about 1/2 inch
5. Disconnect the air conditioner clutch electrical connection by removing the
receiver/drier pressure switch connector or by disconnecting the clutch connector at the
compressor.
6. Place a protective cloth on the interior front carpet under the evaporator housing and
duct. Start the engine, letting it run at idle. As the engine idles with the heater controls
set as instructed, hot air recirculates over the evaporator raising the temperature of the
evaporator, causing moisture to evaporate faster. The open windows allow the moisture
to escape without losing much heat. You may see "fog" clouding the windows. After the
fog disappears continue the operation for another 5 minutes. If the fog does not appear,
continue with engine idling and the heater controls set for another 30 minutes.

7. Shake the bottle of Mitsubishi Cooling Coil Coating well, then attach it to the
assembled applicator kit as shown in the illustration.
8. Close the passenger side air vents. Open the passenger side door. Be sure you are
wearing safety goggles, a face mask (3M: 07185 is recommended), and gloves.
9. With the engine still idling, tan on HI speed, and the mode on recirculate, insert the
applicator nozzle in through the recirculate door opening (or on late model Galant and
Eclipse with HVAC filter, through the filter opening). Spray the coating product in
short bursts, with a few seconds between each burst.
NOTE :This procedure wets the entire air entry passage and may create a fog from the
air outlet vents which will enter the passenger compartment. This will NOT stain or
harm the vehicle's interior.

Be sure to use to use goggles and breathing protection (3M: 07185). DO NOT inhale
vapors.
10. When the coating product bottle is empty, shut oft the vehicle's ignition switch. Let
the vehicle sit for 30 minutes. This allows the liquid to flow over the evaporator coil
fins and case assembly, covering most of the contaminated area.
11. After 30 minutes, again with the mode set to recirculate, fan on HI, and temperature
control to maximum heat, start the engine and let it run at idle speed for 30 minutes.
Make sure the windows are open. This will dry and cure the Mitsubishi Cooling Coil
Coating onto the evaporator coil.
12. Reinstall the glove box (and HVAC filter if applicable).
13. Reconnect the A/C clutch electrical connection (the receiver/drier pressure switch
connector or the clutch connector).
PARTS INFORMATION

Use the genuine Mitsubishi Parts listed.

WARRANTY INFORMATION