Smelly aircon

[wasabiz]

I've had my car for over 6 months now and it's due for its 15k service. For the last few weeks I've been noticing that the aircon is starting to smell upon startup for around 30-60 sec. I asked the service people and they're asking me for 99 dollars for an antibacterial spray. Do you know what can be the other reasons for this? Because for a spray... 99 dollars is abit too much.

Oh and they said it's because of the dead bugs building up in the filter.

Thoughts?

[Guest001]

Change the filter Will be less than $99

[donweather]

This has come up numerous times before. Here's a discussion on the DIY.

DIY Getting rid of smell from air conditioning system

A tip to reduce it is to is to turn the aircon off a few min before reaching your destination to ensure the ducts aren’t too cool and will cause any condensation once you stop.

[vdubmotorworx]

I find a new pollen filter snd glenn 20 does the job better.....

[wasabiz]

Thanks a lot guys. Really helps. Sorry for not searching, cause my car is in service and I need a pronto answer hehe

[Swainey32]

https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/einszett_1z/air_condition_treatment_klima_cleaner

https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/einszett_1z/air_conditioner_sanitizer_klima_cleaner_etu

Either of these get ride of any smell in air con, a lot cheaper than $99 service

[andrew7]

This has come up numerous times before. Here's a discussion on the DIY.

DIY Getting rid of smell from air conditioning system

A tip to reduce it is to is to turn the aircon off a few min before reaching your destination to ensure the ducts aren’t too cool and will cause any condensation once you stop.

^ This. Always done it (even 30 seconds), never an issue.

[DV52]

My technique is simple and cheap and it seems to work OK.

1. Buy a can of "Glen20".
2. Fit a nozzle tube to it (the type that you find on cans of spray lube).
3. Turn the fan on to the lowest setting
4. Put the tube down the vent on each side of the car just behind front wipers (the black plastic vent)
5. Empty about a quarter of the can on each side
6. Do it just before the Hot season (about now)

[Jozzy]

Just bought the Mann filter from amazon it fixed the problem straight away. Was easy enough to change over.
Mann-Filter CUK 2939 Cabin Filter With Activated Charcoal for select Audi/ Volkswagen models:Amazon:Automotive

[NCGR1]

.....A tip to reduce it is to is to turn the aircon off a few min before reaching your destination to ensure the ducts aren’t too cool and will cause any condensation once you stop.

That makes no sense. The functioning AC is what removes the moisture from the system. To have the best shot at no smell is to have the AC on all the time. With the auto system that is easy, set the temp you want and leave it alone.

[tonymy01]

Yes, but as it is cool inside the system, when you turn off the car, the cool interior surface of the air con assembly draws in moisture, which sits for quite a while and a perfect environment to harbour mould/mildew. If you turn off the a/c a few mins before stopping the car (but not the total system) then the warmer air helps bring up the system to outside air temperature so when the car is turned off, moisture won't accumulate on the interior surface of all the aircon system.

[nickster99]

Start the car. Turn on the heating at the highest fan level and highest temperature. Leave all the windows down. Leave it all running for 10-15 minutes.

I've had my car for over 6 months now and it's due for its 15k service. For the last few weeks I've been noticing that the aircon is starting to smell upon startup for around 30-60 sec. I asked the service people and they're asking me for 99 dollars for an antibacterial spray. Do you know what can be the other reasons for this? Because for a spray... 99 dollars is abit too much.

Oh and they said it's because of the dead bugs building up in the filter.

Thoughts?

[Alex31]

The heater core is after the evaporator. So how will this help?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[druster]

I've had the same problem after 25,000km. I always try to turn the air-con off and max fan 1 min before I arrive at my destination (turning the heater up on a hot day really isn't ideal!) but couldn't prevent it.

I took our my cabin air filter behind the glove box then vacuum the accumulated rubbish and it seems to have helped significantly.
Maybe do the same or buy a new cabin filter.

[druster]

quick google search, cabin filter costs around $35

https://www.sparesbox.com.au/ryco-cabin-air-filter-rca270c-106211-rca270c