Smelly Airconditioer

[skodian]

Yes the CARBONed one should remove the smell as per my experienced without using any spary or dedicated automotive air disinfectant
I have but 3 from EBay (UK) as Ebay has the 20% promo from time to time which cost me around avg AUD$15 each inc postage . I generally swap them around 12 months as a preventive exercise before they get smelly.
Rather than handing 50$+ to stealer each time

[Amalgam]

The acrid smell seems to have gone.

Surprised by how little muck was trapped by the cabin air filter to cause such a bad smell.

[Guest001]

The reason it wont stay on recirculate is deliberate as if the air gets stuffy or a leaky exhaust gets into the cabin it can potentially put you to sleep or even kill you. Most modern cars only let you be on it for a short time and revert back to fresh .

[Heinrich R36]

I have used this Einszett Air conditioner sanatizer and it works a treat.

This guy in Murumbeena where I get all my detailing products from down here in Victoria sells it but I am sure you could find it at other stores.

You put your air con on high activate the can and let the air con recirculate and the contents from the can filters through your system killing off all the smells and bacteria.

Worked a treat in my Wife's AH Astra....

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

[brad]

I think it would work even better if you pulled the filter out first.

[Umai Naa!!]

Yep, those disinfectants don't do much for the filter.

Pull out old filter, spray inside housing/set off anti-bac bomb, then fit new filter.

[Lucas_R]

For the price of those sprays, you can buy a new filter which you will end up having to do anyway

[brad]

For the price of those sprays, you can buy a new filter which you will end up having to do anyway

If the system is full of mould (which is what the smell is) then I think you'd have to spring for both.

A 12 month old filter can look brand new but still be full of microscopic organisms. It's no different from your socks - they might look fine but when you give them a sniff

[Heinrich R36]

Yeah true new filter is obviously a no brainer but to actually neutralize that odour and have the contents of the can cover the ducts inside with the anti bacterial agent would be a worthwhile investment.

Hey I was happy to spend $20 on the Astra to get rid of that damp smell every time we turned the Air Con on.

[kaanage]

Can you wash the filters like you can wash the ones for a home air-con?

[Amalgam]

Can you wash the filters like you can wash the ones for a home air-con?

No.

They are paper. Single use and disposable.

[brad]

Can you wash the filters like you can wash the ones for a home air-con?

No.

They are paper. Single use and disposable.

Amalgam is correct but it is possible to wash them once or twice. They used to do it at the Subaru forum on the Libertys because the replacement filters were a ridiculous price.

If you don't value your time....

Knock the loose stuff off the filter
Make up a tub or bucket of laundry suds and vigorously dip the filter in/out of the bucket. You might have to do a couple of changes of water/suds.
If it's a carbon impregnated filter you will also be washing the carbon out.

Give it a final rinse in clear water.

Hang it in the sun / breeze to dry - this will take most of the day.

The paper is relatively fragile so you can't apply to much water pressure in the direction of flow.

Personally, I'd rather change them every 12 months with the cheap eBay units