# Close vents to blow smelly air conditioner condensation outhe drain?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/close-vents-to-blow-smelly-air-conditioner-condensation-outhe-drain/169509>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Tags:** rx-350, lexus\
**Created:** [September 2, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/close-vents-to-blow-smelly-air-conditioner-condensation-outhe-drain/169509 "2020-09-02T23:34:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/close-vents-to-blow-smelly-air-conditioner-condensation-outhe-drain/169509/1 "2020-09-02T23:34:55Z")

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Neighbor complains her air conditioner stinks.

When I have time, I plan to get under her RX350 and suck out her air conditioner drain line with our shop vacuum.  
Until then, I suggested she turn fan on full, outside air, close all vents and try to blow the smelly water out for several minutes while driving.

Will that do anything?

Thank you.

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/close-vents-to-blow-smelly-air-conditioner-condensation-outhe-drain/169509/2 "2020-09-02T23:39:20Z")

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> [@Robert-Gift](#):
>
> Will that do anything?

Yes it will. It will waste time and fuel. Forget the shop vac. Just use plastic weed trimmer line like most people do . There are over a million videos showing how to do this.

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**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/close-vents-to-blow-smelly-air-conditioner-condensation-outhe-drain/169509/3 "2020-09-03T03:01:43Z")

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Thank you.  
Ain’t got no plastic weed trimmer line.  
Shall try #14-gauge solid Cu wire.  
Nowilloook for the video.  
(As a Registered Tree-hugger and Greenie, would have her do the Robertechnique only if driving somewhere.)

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2020, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/close-vents-to-blow-smelly-air-conditioner-condensation-outhe-drain/169509/4 "2020-09-03T03:07:56Z")

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I would try a long zip tye, or just a piece of obsolete electric cord. Some cars seem more prone than others even if the drain is good, or slow. I have recommended to others turning off the ac 5 minutes before stopping as just the condensation can cause problems even if the drain is good.