Car smells when using arcon

[petrolhead]

In fact it smells now even with it off.

If I did not know better it smalles of stagnant water. Is it possible the water from the windscreen is not draining properly?

Where should I be checking

 

[Drew18 FR]

Is your aircon still working properly? coz i had the same problem, but my aircon wasnt keeping the car cool either si took it to the garage and they said it was the air compresser unit.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

You get a stale smell sometimes if you've not used the aircon for ages and then use it... but it should only last a short while and then subsequent uses should be smell-free, if it's working right. At least that's my experience with various cars.

 

[petrolhead]

Aircon fine, used every other day

 

[GainfulShrimp]

I think you can get 'sterilizer sprays' where you basically park up and run the aircon on re-circ (with all the windows and doors closed) and then spray the magic stuff into the car and leave it for 10 minutes.

Never used one myself but might be worth a look. Something like this I think:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_224996_langId_-1_categoryId_165632

 

[ModifyItAll]

Change the cabin filter which is located in the passenger side footwell under the dash, well on a LHD car anyways.

 

[Bedlam]

Damp carpets anywhere?
Could be leak or rear washer, if you have one, pipe leak

 

[Nath.]

As said, change the pollen filter, this filter is very fine and can trap Bactria in it along with the muck that it filters.

If this does not work I would go looking for wet carpets from a windscreen leak or a rear washer pipe leak.

 

[adriaticman]

smelly air con

I`ve had this problem for more than a year now. Have used air con regularly since new to make sure this sort of thing would not happen. Car now 31 months old

I have used 2 deodorizers + dealer also used one +new pollen filters twice . After about 10 days, stale smell returns when air con switched off. It does fade but thats not the issue. All my cars since 1997 have had a/con and never had this before. Did think about having system drained etc, but then thought better of it, as car still under warranty.

 

[stuartsjg]

As said, change the pollen filter, this filter is very fine and can trap Bactria in it along with the muck that it filters.

If this does not work I would go looking for wet carpets from a windscreen leak or a rear washer pipe leak.

Where is the pollen filter? Is it in the passengers footwell on RHD cars?

I think its possible that the cooling coils can foul up with mould etc from being damp. I dont know if you can access them anywhere to clean them. I have seen sprays you spray straight onto the cooling coils - but ive no idea where they are.

I get a damp smell for 2-3 mins if the AC has been off for a day or so but it soon goes away.

Putting a better filter does seam good as it would help with my slight hay fever and my fiancés slight asthma.

Stuart