# 2009 Hyundai Sonata - Smells like vinegar

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-hyundai-sonata-smells-like-vinegar/168027>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai, airconditioning\
**Created:** [July 29, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-hyundai-sonata-smells-like-vinegar/168027 "2020-07-29T15:16:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![whansen4651](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b77776/32.png) [@whansen4651](https://community.cartalk.com/u/whansen4651)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-hyundai-sonata-smells-like-vinegar/168027/1 "2020-07-29T15:16:12Z")

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2009 Hyundai Sonata, V-6.  
On start up sometimes smell a vinegar odor. Dissipates fairly quickly. Any thoughts on cause?

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-hyundai-sonata-smells-like-vinegar/168027/2 "2020-07-29T17:30:30Z")

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Could be mold in the AC vents and ducts.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-hyundai-sonata-smells-like-vinegar/168027/3 "2020-07-29T21:06:35Z")

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Are you sure it’s vinegar and not ammonia? If it’s ammonia, look for nesting rodents in the ventilation system. In any event, check around your cabin air filter if your car has one.