stale smell when using windscreen defrost

[satz]

hi all

recently bought a 2008 Golf GTI. When I run the windscreen demist setting it switches the AC on, like it's meant to.

However in the first few minutes there's a noticeable musty/stale smell. It only seems to occur on the demist setting...not on normal AC setting

Is this a common problem, or is there something I can do to get rid of the smell

cheers

S

[team_v]

Check the pollen filter.
Other than that, spray some glen 20 into the vents/vent-intake and see if that solves the problem.

[satz]

hi team_v

I was wondering where the pollen filter is located? Do you know if it's under the black plastic cowling at the base of the windscreen.... or is it behind the glovebox somewhere?

cheers


S

[team_v]

I couldn't tell you, have no idea.
Maybe try googling it or asking one of the friendly tech guys on here.
Also could be in the owenrs manual.

[satz]

will check on google. The answers so far seem to indicate it's around the glovebox area. Although I'm not sure that would be causing the smell in my car...as it only happens on the windscreen demist setting, but not when using AC in other modes like 'face' or 'feet'.

Actually, here's a good writeup (with pix) from another site. Seems to be for a 2010 model Golf/Jetta

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3302867

cheers

S

[NabzGTI]

Once, a truck pulled out infront of me on the freeway, and all this water splashed onto my car.. and this intense SH*T smell started pouring into my car. As I took over him, i realised it was a human waste truck that just left a worksite on the side of the freeway. Even after immediately washing the car, I still get hints of that smell eveytime I use the aircon til this very day.

[Dubdabest]

I have the same problem. It was gone when my car was serviced (and pollen filter replaced) but then soon the smell is back.
I think it's due to the mouldy pollen filter from the moisture/condensation of the aircond.

Edit: on mine I think it's all mode face, feet, & demister

[wokwn]

I have a friend who keeps turning his aircon off (econ button) and gets a smell sometimes.

I never turn mine off and never get a smell.

The dealer keeps trying to sell me a 'aircon sanitation' but I start laughing at them and they give up.

[satz]

dubdabest,
is your car still smelly even after the pollen filter was replaced?

If so, what does VW dealer say?

cheers


Satz

[Dubdabest]

dubdabest,
is your car still smelly even after the pollen filter was replaced?

If so, what does VW dealer say?

cheers


Satz

I don't bother to go back to dealer as I don't think there is not much they can do other than to suggest that we keep changing the pollen filter regularly at our own cost?

The smells only happens in the first 5 mins or so when I just switch on the aircond so it's not like stinking the car for the whole trip.

It's prob my fault that I only use the aircond very intermittently (well, it's winter!) so any condensation moisture left is not eliminated by the regular use of the aircond?

[satz]

here in Canberra I'm only using the AC for demisting the windscreen, and that too only when it rains.

Might run the AC for a while while driving around (but with heat as well), and see if that can clear up the smell. Otherwise might buy a replacement filter and fit it myself

Will keep you posted on whether it helped.

[satz]

The smell is still happening when I use Windscreen defrost...especially if I haven't used it for a few days.

Smell doesn't seem noticeable when using AC on other modes...

I even removed the pollen filter to clean it. However I was thinking that if it was the pollen filter at fault, then the smell would be equally strong on all 'modes'

Dealer simply said they "don't do AC cleans"!

[satz]

Yesterday I partially removed the flat black plastic piece that covers the AC air intake. There were heaps of leaves and twigs in there. I have no idea how leaves that big get in there through the tiny grille openings

Is there some other way for leaves to get in there?

Also sprayed some Glen 20 into the air intake while I had the fan speed on full (and of course set at outside air)

Might replace the pollen filter today...

[The_Hawk]

I find lots of cars smell on different modes of heat or AC or different vents because they are rarely used. Call it condensation, dust, plastic smell or what you will. In my case I find that I need to run the heater every now and then (even if it's with the AC full on) just to get some air moving through that part of the system.