Really bad smell when first turn on AC

[iDiesel]

Hi All

Recently whenever I turn on the AC a really bad smell comes through the vents for about 4-5mins before either I get used to it (urgh ) or it disappears.
It smells like dried kids spew...
I don't have young kids so can't put it down to why it's so bad.
In previous cars you may get a minor smell for a few minutes, but that was more like stale air rather than spew!

Any suggestions, things to check?

[ArdiL]

I had an Elgrand that was having same awful smell, it ended up being the filter under the passenger side dash. Replacing the filter solved the problem.

[Guest001]

Change the Pollen filter then


What does a dried Kid look like

[ArdiL]

Just a reminder, if the smell is really bad, then expect the unexpected when you come in contact with the filter , wont be a pretty sight or smell up close.

[notaGolfR]

So far my car is ok but it was a pain in all my previous ones. I figured condensation somewhere in the a/c was allowing mould/bacteria to grow while parked. I solved by getting into the habit of turning off cooling a km from home, turning up the temp and fan to max to dry out & it works for me.
In my wonderful old Nissan 200SX I had the condensation drain tube positioned where air rushing past would cause a venturi effect to suck out the vapour. Noticing the way drainage would slope, I also plumbed a tube forward to in front of the intercooler. That way, (at least only when going uphill), condensation would go onto the cooler. Pretty hi-tech eh?

[REXman]

Hi All

Recently whenever I turn on the AC a really bad smell comes through the vents for about 4-5mins before either I get used to it (urgh ) or it disappears.
It smells like dried kids spew...
I don't have young kids so can't put it down to why it's so bad.
In previous cars you may get a minor smell for a few minutes, but that was more like stale air rather than spew!

Any suggestions, things to check?

Mine does it too. In its first year my wife owned the car and had to pay VW money to clear the vent air ways or something. No idea what they did. But it’s already back again. Talk about poor design when you can’t use the air con.



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[PDMJO]

Happened to me too, but went away after about 30 mins of continuous highway driving.

Whatever it was in the filter must've found its way out.

[iDiesel]

Yeah, it’s been a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I can turn on AC and no smell...other times it’s rank!
where is the pollen filter BTW. Checked the manual but just says to check...with no description of where it is that I could find

[Guest001]

Open the glove box drop it down as per the manual is a rectangular box with reinforcing strips on it.. Did you not download the workshop manuals I posted a week ago in the Tiguan Mk2 thread Tells you everything in them

[iDiesel]

Thanks again HB
No, sorry I missed that thread. Will give it a look

[Guest001]

Its in D48806031A9 Heating- Airconditioner Page 132/133


Workshop manuals for MKII TIguan

[grimmdex]

I had something similar with my car, I very strong and offensive chemical smell when I turned on the aircon. It took a while to work out where it was coming from but when I pulled out the pollen filter it was the same smell. It also smelled similar to the washer / wiper fluid that was in the car when I bought it which did not smell nice. Whoever filled up the wiper fluid tank must have used up the whole bottle. I drained and replaced the wiper fluid and also changed the pollen filter to an Aussie foam brand and its all fixed.
I'm wondering is it possible for water from the windscreen washing to somehow end up soaking in the pollen filter?

[noobatron]

I had the exact same problem with my 2015 BMW X1. The problem ended up being a blocked condensation drainage hose that caused water to build and eventually soak the polled filters causing them to go mouldy and hence that smell you get.

Turn your AC on and run in for about 10 mins. Check to see if there's water from the AC condensation drainage hose. If you don't see any water then chances are, that hose may be blocked or something's preventing the water draining way from the AC unit.

Thanks to Hillbilly for the workshop manual. As Hillbilly said, check out D48806031A9 Heating- Airconditioner.
I found the section for the condensation drain on page 160.

[REXman]

Sorry to revive the thread but I changed my pollen filter and it made no difference. I did it myself and while I was there I checked out the existing filter - no smell or issue with it at all. They seem pretty good quality from factory you could just give it a few smacks in the ground and reuse.

[notaGolfR]

Try drying out the system by having the a/c off with temperature and fan dialled to max & running in re-circulate then fresh. Do for all vents and modes. That might kill mould and turn it to powder. Remove & clean the filter again then replace and see how you go. If getting desparate you could try introducing some Glen20 which is mainly ethanol at the fresh intake then use lowest fan in all modes then repeat at full fan. Even blowing air back thru the system might dislodge e.g. a rodent but check with the manual if that can damage e.g. valves/flaps.
After using a/c (if I remember) I turn it off, raise the temp & blast at hight fan to dry out.