i have a 2008 sonata , feeling eyes, nose and throat very un-comfortable when i turn on fan/vent while driving. it is better after i turn of fan/vent and open the window.
How much to fix it if really is a emission leakage ?

 

Unless the car has an excessive amount miles on it, this sort of repair should be covered by either the b2b warrenty or the federal emissions warrenty, depending on what is wrong with the car.

 

ken99,
Thank you very much. The emission leakage is my guess. It is 2008 SONATA, only about 22000 miles.
I talked to dealer, but i do not know how to convince them that issue.
Do you have any idea ?

 

Have you checked/replaced the cabin air filter? Maybe there is some mold or mildew that has formed in the ducting.

What is the air setting when this happens? Fresh air or recirculated?

 

Thanks. I already replaced cabin air filter.
I should smell something bad if it is because of mold/mildew.
The air setting is "refresh" mode, but i did not try always set to "recurring" mode.
As it is very bad and get sick, recently i just turn off fan/vent, sometimes open the window.
And i will bring my car to dealer to check it out if it is emission leak or not.

 

OK, good luck, I hope you get it sorted out. Let us know what happens.

 

Unfortunately, dealer said they can not verify my concern.
But currently I dare not to drive the car with fan/vent turn on before find the problem and have a fix.
Can anybody give me suggestion and help ?
Thanks a lot

 

It sounds more like a contaminant in the cabin fresh air intake ductwork. By that I mean that somewhere between the inlet at the base of the windshield, and the outlets in the cabin, you have something 'growing'... like mold or mildew.

I'd be looking at the drain(s) for the fresh air intake at the base of the cowl to make sure that they are not plugged up, possably even removing the plastic cowl cover to provide better access. If the drains are clear, next I'd look at the A/C evaporator core & heater core to make sure nothing is 'growing'. This can be done by pulling the cabin filter out & using a good flashlight & inspection mirror. Look at all the ductwork with the mirror you can.

It sure sounds like you have a dead mouse or other 'critter' stuck somewhere in that fresh air inlet... or somebody dropped a deuce at the base of your windshield.

 

Thanks a lot. Is mold/mildew easy to smell out ?
In the very beginning I smell something bad as dealer sprayed something, right now I can not say I smell anything (but not sure).
Is that possible coolant leakage cause eyes, nose, throat dis-comfortable and last a few days?
And such dis-comfortable feeling is much worse in sunny day time, also feeling itch somewhere on my body.

 

Coolant leakage would show in number of ways; A drop in coolant level, (in radiator or overflow bottle), a dripping green spot under the car where the A/C also drains it's condensation out at, or a wet green puddle on the front carpeting, or a 'slime' appearance on the inside of the windshield when the defroster is turned on. I doubt it's a coolant leak causing your irritation.

If the dealer "... sprayed something..." down the air inlet in the cowl, it was most likely a form of microbial cleaner/disinfectant designed for killing mold growth & mildew smells. A large build-up of decomposing leaves or even flower pedals can give problems too.

I'd still be looking for a dead critter or even a bug nest.... especially since you say it's worse on warm days.

Good luck!! Let us know how it goes.