2001 Civic - Air conditioning, Suspension
 

Hi, I've started reading a.a.honda and r.a.m.honda recently, and find
that there're nice and very knowledgeable people here. Hope you can give
me some ideas regarding my 2001 Civic :)

I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we have dry summers and wet
winters. That means, I only use the air conditioning mostly during the
winter. To save gas, I turn off the a/c when the windshield is clear,
and turn it back on when it fogs up again.

I don't know whether this practice actually gave me this problem, but
when I turn on the a/c, it started to give a mouldy/mewdewy smell. I
don't think breathing this kinda air is very healthy anyway...

So, my question is: is it easy to take apart the HVAC system (ducts,
filters etc...) for a thorough cleaning? Is it a DIY job?

Second question: regarding my rear suspension. The 2001 Civic is known
to have very soft rear suspension, and the poor rear passengers get
tossed around for quite a bit. What kind of aftermarket parts exist that
can improve its ride? (Or even OEM parts that fits the 2001 Civic...)

Thank you very much!!

Kevin

2001 Civic - Air conditioning, Suspension
 

"K Lam" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I've started reading a.a.honda and r.a.m.honda recently, and find that
> there're nice and very knowledgeable people here. Hope you can give me
> some ideas regarding my 2001 Civic :)
>
> I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we have dry summers and wet
> winters. That means, I only use the air conditioning mostly during the
> winter. To save gas, I turn off the a/c when the windshield is clear, and
> turn it back on when it fogs up again.
>
> I don't know whether this practice actually gave me this problem, but when
> I turn on the a/c, it started to give a mouldy/mewdewy smell. I don't
> think breathing this kinda air is very healthy anyway...
>
> So, my question is: is it easy to take apart the HVAC system (ducts,
> filters etc...) for a thorough cleaning? Is it a DIY job?
>

It's such a common complaint with so many cars I am surprised there aren't
any great kits on the shelves to take care of it.

The most comprehensive treatment I've seen described (haven't had occasion
to try it) involves connecting a basketball pump to the evaporator drain
tube. The pump is filled with rubbing alcohol or straight isopropyl and the
alcohol is flushed backward into the evaporator drain pan. The OP had us
fill the drain pan until it ran over and then let it sit a minute or two.
When the pump is removed the mostly disinfected drain pan contents are
flushed out.

The OP indicated the overflow dries quickly without harming the carpet, but
I think I'd fold an old towel in the passenger floor at least.

Mike

2001 Civic - Air conditioning, Suspension
 

K Lam wrote:
> I don't know whether this practice actually gave me this problem, but
> when I turn on the a/c, it started to give a mouldy/mewdewy smell. I
> don't think breathing this kinda air is very healthy anyway...

its pretty much normal, to some extent.
>
> So, my question is: is it easy to take apart the HVAC system (ducts,
> filters etc...) for a thorough cleaning? Is it a DIY job?

i dont think thats anything id want to try. if you want, you could try
spraying some lysol into the air intake near the hood/wipers while the
A/C is running *and* set so it takes in outside air, not recirculate.
itll make your car smell like lysol for a while, but should kill any germs.

2001 Civic - Air conditioning, Suspension
 

"Michael Pardee" > wrote in
:

> "K Lam" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi, I've started reading a.a.honda and r.a.m.honda recently, and find
>> that there're nice and very knowledgeable people here. Hope you can
>> give me some ideas regarding my 2001 Civic :)
>>
>> I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we have dry summers and wet
>> winters. That means, I only use the air conditioning mostly during
>> the winter. To save gas, I turn off the a/c when the windshield is
>> clear, and turn it back on when it fogs up again.
>>
>> I don't know whether this practice actually gave me this problem, but
>> when I turn on the a/c, it started to give a mouldy/mewdewy smell. I
>> don't think breathing this kinda air is very healthy anyway...
>>
>> So, my question is: is it easy to take apart the HVAC system (ducts,
>> filters etc...) for a thorough cleaning? Is it a DIY job?
>>
>
> It's such a common complaint with so many cars I am surprised there
> aren't any great kits on the shelves to take care of it.


This really is a FAQ, isn't it?

Now that I think about it, reports of this tend to crop up when the warm
weather starts (about the smae time as the Main Relay problems!)

One more for my list.

<snip> disinfectant procedure>


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

2001 Civic - Air conditioning, Suspension
 

Thanks everyone for the tips!! Will try them out to get rid of that smell.

Kevin