Old Sock Smell

[deeps]

I've recently begun experiencing an "old socks" smell through the HVAC system in my Octavia. If the A/C is switched on, it goes away within a few seconds and all is good. The moment I turn it off, the smell returns.

I have removed the cabin air filter and it smells like old socks. Running without the cabin filter results in the same smell though.

I've tried spraying air freshner etc. through the cabin filter area and it helps for a few minutes before the bad smell returns.

Can anyone recommend a spray that works well for this stuff, and perhaps a better location to spray..


Google seems to indicate that a few VW vehicles have the same issue.

[Umai Naa!!]

You need one of those air conditioning disinfectant bombs.

They're like a flea bomb in the way they work. Sit it on the centre console, put the A/C on recirc, fan on, set it off, shut the doors, and leave it to do it's thing (stay out of the car, though!).

Put a new cabin filter in afterwards.

[deeps]

Interesting, i've never seen this before. Where does one purchase this bomb?

[Umai Naa!!]

One company I know of, called Fortron, does them.

There's probably more.

[fred27]

Auto Glym is another brand you could try, available from most auto stores. It would be more effective if you could access and get the spray directly on the evaporator fins.

[Umai Naa!!]

You could pull the old cabin filter out, and aim it up the slot.

[Martin]

The bombs are a cheap and cheerful work around - once you've used one, if you smoke or have fish and chips in the car the smell sticks to the bomb particles and it can be hard to then get rid of that smell

The problem is probably bacteria and/or dirt on the condenser which needs a chemical and physical clean
Take it to the dealer or an air con service specialist

[Umai Naa!!]

The condensor is outside the car, and not part of the cabin venting.

[Tigger]

My socks smell like roses!

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

Hey Tigger, just noticed your signature - you have an RS 147 & the missus a Polo GTi. Just out of curiosity, which is quicker? Cheers

[zei20t]

try leaving a bowl of white vinegar locked up in the car overnight. it will absorb the smells.

[brad]

The condensor is outside the car, and not part of the cabin venting.

He probably means the evaporator. I always get them mixed up too. One of the reasons I didn't come first in the state in my trade exams was becasue i stuffed up some AC questions (but 2nd was pretty good!!).

To the OP: There are 3 types of cabin filter. One is plain paper particle filter. Another is activated carbon to reduce odours.
The 3rd type totally escapes me & maybe I've just imagined it.

Anyway, you need activated carbon & it should be changed every 12 months.

On the plain paper filters, you could try spraying them with Febreeze or Glen 20. You might even consider sprinkling some Tea Tree or Eucalypotus oil on them.

That's how I fixed mine

[roshea]

Hey Tigger, just noticed your signature - you have an RS 147 & the missus a Polo GTi. Just out of curiosity, which is quicker? Cheers

I'm no Tigger, but the Polo is significantly faster 0-100 km/h (6.9 sec vs 7.5 sec).

[Mysticality]

Hey Tigger, just noticed your signature - you have an RS 147 & the missus a Polo GTi. Just out of curiosity, which is quicker? Cheers

Tigger's is faster.
Tigger's is faster than anything. I'm not even kidding - maybe he got Stage 1 from the factory. :p

[Tigger]

Hey Tigger, just noticed your signature - you have an RS 147 & the missus a Polo GTi. Just out of curiosity, which is quicker? Cheers

Well...good question....

If I was driving both at the same time, then I think that my RS would just pip the GTI polo...
But if I was driving the Polo GTI, and my mrs was driving the RS....then ....Nah...hang on....I wont let her drive mine now with the new wheels....

haha...ahhh...I actually dont know which would be quickest...I will have to experiment....just cos you asked of course...