Expert: David Powner - 9/22/2005

Question
My air conditioner in my living room window smells when I turn it on.  It smells moldy, or musty- sometimes like a dead animal...Why does it smell like that?  Is there anything I can do about it, or is time for a new one?  I cleaned the filter, and it still smells. (It's a GE product.)
Karen Jenkins

Answer
I think you can be fairly certain that it's on its way out!

It sounds very much as though the motor is burning out - that particular smell is pretty vile, and I recognise it when I come across it.

You could try disassembling the entire unit - you may find the bearings are seizing up due to a long-term build-up of crud. The resistance would then over-heat the motor.

Cleaning it off *may* restore functionality, but it's very unlikely.