What's that smell?

[Dean Bufton]

When I start my aircon, I get a smell (not nice) from the vents. This usually lasts for a couple of minutes until the aircon is in full swing and the smell vanishes.

I seem to remember reading somewhere (maybe here?) that some parts of the aircon can get a bit mouldy due to the moisture etc.

Any thoughts?

 

[Fl@pper]

more than likely the pollen filter they are in the scuttle panel on the passenger side , BE WARNED , if you remove the cover they HAVE to be put back on properly or it will allow water into the front kick well

 

[Mosser]

There is a special kind of bacteria that can breed and grow in the air conditioning unit, it can be characterised by an unpleasent, damp sort of smell for the first few minutes until the air con unit has fully cooled down,

This particular bacteria that grows can cause coughing, and tiredness!!!, so beware!,

You can cure it by either taking it to an aircon specialist and asking them to treat it (20-30quid), or you can ask your dealer to treat it with forte air conditioning treatment (10-20 quid) or you can do it yourself if you can find the stuff to do it with, it usually comes in 500ml aerosols, and you spray half a can into a running aircon unit, then immidiatley switch it off and leave it for 30 minutes and its all fixed!

Hope this helps you!

 

[Dean Bufton]

Thanks Flapper and Mosser for your replies.

I'm a bit concerned that such a problem with bacteria or pollen filter can occur at just 12,500 miles. The car itself is only six months old as well.

I think that the pollen filter will get replaced at the next service (20k) so I'll not be touching that. It's probably worth giving the forte air conditioning treatment a go for £20.

 

[Mosser]

The bacteria problem isnt limited to just Seats, it affects all cars with decent air con, without exception!!, and can be noticeable as early as yours, it is worse if you do shorter journeys with the air con on, as the bacteria is most active when the car is turned off after having run the air con

 

[cordobabrendy]

one other thing it could be, if you or anyone has ever smoked or eaten something strong smelling, ie chips etc, while the ac was on that can have long lingering effect, ive only just gotten rid of the rank smell that was caused by someone driving my car and smoking while it was a democar!!

 

[stuee]

aircon smell

as previously mentioned this is not specific to just seat 's but affects all systems to a degree , try running every so often at full heat for a while and fresh air (not recirculated) this heat should cook any bacteria and rid the smell til next time.
you should also run the aircon at least once a week all year round to keep it in good order.

 

[stuee]

aircon smell

as previously mentioned this is not specific to just seat 's but affects all systems to a degree , try running every so often at full heat for a while and fresh air (not recirculated) this heat should cook any bacteria and rid the smell til next time.
you should also run the aircon at least once a week all year round to keep it in good order.:fart:

 

[Dean Bufton]

Stuee,
I was a little sceptical with your suggestion mate but it worked a treat. I ran the climate on HI for two 30 minute sessions and now the smell has gone .

I also looked in my local Halfords and they sell a product from Wynns that you can use to do the job. I didn't buy it but it costs just under a tenner if anyone is interested.

Sorted!

PS - where abouts in S.Wales are you from, I'm in Neath myself.

 

[stuee]

Glad it worked for you!
I was told about it from a friend who's had a few airconed cars and now has a artic grey tdi se. My tdi leon ,also in techno grey should arrive sometime in april.Is yours an import?
BTW I'm in Newport

:rockon:

 

[mcmail]

You need to use your air con regulatly BUT switch it off before you end your journey, this will then thaw out/dry out the aircon unit before you stop, and thus help preventing a build up of the bacteria. I usually tend to turn it off about 10 mins before I end my journey. this does help

 

[timirvine1977]

You can cure it by either taking it to an aircon specialist and asking them to treat it (20-30quid), or you can ask your dealer to treat it with forte air conditioning treatment (10-20 quid) or you can do it yourself if you can find the stuff to do it with, it usually comes in 500ml aerosols, and you spray half a can into a running aircon unit, then immidiatley switch it off and leave it for 30 minutes and its all fixed!

Hope this helps you!

Sorry to sound like a complete plank, but where abouts would I need to spray this into the running aircon unit? Mine's had that same musty smell for a month or so now. Glad I at least know what it is now!

 

[CHRIS200]

Could need the aircon being re-freshed

 

[Mosser]

you put it in the backfootwell normally on the passenger side with the seat fully upright and fully forward, have the engine running and the aircon on, fan on full blast though all vents and most important, it must be on recirc when you do it, then you press the button on the top of the aerosol which will lock down and you place it on the back floor and close all doors and windows and leave it to run out, then leave it another 5 minutes after that, then you can turn your engine off and its all done !

 

[timirvine1977]

Awesome, cheers pal. Will give it a go at the weekend....

 

[blundell]

Yeah just come across this.

My Air con stinks! Just after I turn it off.

It's obviously mould as I've read everywere.

But it's a Leon Mk2 with only 5000miles on the clock :-(

surely I can take it back to the manufacturer to fix it for free?

In the meantime I'm going to stick my temp on HI for 30 mins see if I can kill it off.