2002 Sonata Cabin Smell
 

My wife has a 2002 LX w/ 13K miles.

She's complaining about a "toxic" smell in the cabin with the windows
closed and ac on or off. Does anyone know what this might be or how it
can be fixed???

I think it might be the filter or the condenser but at 13K there
shouldn't be a problem with mold, humidity, etc.

Re: 2002 Sonata Cabin Smell
 

On 13 Jul 2003 10:16:04 -0700, srgprod@pacbell.net (ennio) wrote:

>My wife has a 2002 LX w/ 13K miles.
>
>She's complaining about a "toxic" smell in the cabin with the windows
>closed and ac on or off. Does anyone know what this might be or how it
>can be fixed???
>
>I think it might be the filter or the condenser but at 13K there
>shouldn't be a problem with mold, humidity, etc.

**I have to mention, the inside of Hyundais always reek. My ex-Santa
Fe had a smell that was akin to burnt pencil erasers shoved into your
nostrils from day one and it never went away. In fact, a car critic
here in Detroit mentioned Hyundai's perpetual stinkiness. On the flip
side, if it isn't the inherent smell, perhaps it could be mold in the
ventilation system.

kaboomie

Re: 2002 Sonata Cabin Smell
 

On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 17:08:20 -0400, kaboom
<kaboomicus@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote:

>On 13 Jul 2003 10:16:04 -0700, srgprod@pacbell.net (ennio) wrote:
>
>>My wife has a 2002 LX w/ 13K miles.
>>
>>She's complaining about a "toxic" smell in the cabin with the windows
>>closed and ac on or off. Does anyone know what this might be or how it
>>can be fixed???
>>
>>I think it might be the filter or the condenser but at 13K there
>>shouldn't be a problem with mold, humidity, etc.
>
>**I have to mention, the inside of Hyundais always reek. My ex-Santa
>Fe had a smell that was akin to burnt pencil erasers shoved into your
>nostrils from day one and it never went away. In fact, a car critic
>here in Detroit mentioned Hyundai's perpetual stinkiness. On the flip
>side, if it isn't the inherent smell, perhaps it could be mold in the
>ventilation system.
>
>kaboomie

It has been mentioned that Sonatas are given an anti-rust undercoating
in Korea before their trans-Pacific journey and the odor from that is
noticeable for a while before it all dissipates.

I bought my Sonata in year 2000 and could smell an odor for a while
when the car was new but did not find it particularly bothersome.
Whatever it did go away in due course.

Old_Timer

Re: 2002 Sonata Cabin Smell
 

Thanks everyone. I'll take it in for service this week.

Has anyone had a problem with water leaking into the trunk or cabin??
The car is magnificent otherwise. I'm buying an 03 XG350L (Celadon
Green) for myself.

"Rob Rust" <briangovreform@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<crFQa.54030$sY2.26435@rwcrnsc51.ops.asp.att. net>...
> "ennio" <srgprod@pacbell.net> wrote in message
> news:86d70b43.0307130916.2f64d9ea@posting.google.c om...
> > My wife has a 2002 LX w/ 13K miles.
> >
> > She's complaining about a "toxic" smell in the cabin with the windows
> > closed and ac on or off. Does anyone know what this might be or how it
> > can be fixed???
> >
> > I think it might be the filter or the condenser but at 13K there
> > shouldn't be a problem with mold, humidity, etc.
>
> Did you get your suggested maintenance done at 12000 miles? If not, you
> probably need to have your cabin filter changed. Your dealer should be of
> some assistance in this area.

Re: 2002 Sonata Cabin Smell
 

I would drop the glove box and check the cabin air filter. I have seen
these develop an nasty build-up of mold and spores in just a few thousand
miles. These filters work great for pollen but clog up and cause more
problems with A/C system freezing up due to lack of air flow.


--
Gerald Lawson
ASE Certified Master Auto Technician
ASE Certified Undercar Specialist
Hyundai Senior Master Technician
Mitsubishi Master Technician


"ennio" <srgprod@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:86d70b43.0307130916.2f64d9ea@posting.google.c om...
> My wife has a 2002 LX w/ 13K miles.
>
> She's complaining about a "toxic" smell in the cabin with the windows
> closed and ac on or off. Does anyone know what this might be or how it
> can be fixed???
>
> I think it might be the filter or the condenser but at 13K there
> shouldn't be a problem with mold, humidity, etc.
>