Smelly Air-Con

[Smudger]

My car smells like someone's sneaked in every night, been sick down the air vents then sneaked off again. I'm not sure if something's died in front of the air intake or if it's a result of a fault, but the AC is on constantly, so there should be no drying out of seals or anything, and it's set at a constant 20.5 degrees. Anyone come across this before? I had it to a lesser extend in an old car of mine and I put it down to the previous user not using the A/C very much, as it eventually went away with me having it on all the time. This time the stench seems to be getting stronger. Anyone experienced this, and if so, what was the fix?

[kalniel]

Can be condensation not draining properly due to a blocked pipe/filter and eventually bacteria build up causing the smell. Running without aircon can help dry up the pipes but you might also need them cleaning or at least unplugging and draining. In the future you might want to turn air con off for the last few minutes of each journey to reduce the condensation problem.

Aircon recharge places also have an anti-bacterial spray they can use before refilling, though I'd get the filters changed first or you might just block up again and the smell will return.

[AETAaAS]

You mentioned the intake, have you investigated it yet? I had a similar problem with my car, because the tiny drain just in front of the filter got bunged up with leaves, stems, flowers and all the rest of it. I noticed it once then didn't use the AC since the weather was fine but then I went into a car wash, the filter compartment overflowed, passenger footwell got soaked and electrics went pop.

Since then I use a 2 litre bottle of warm soapy water to clear the silt and nonsense out of that drain every now and again. It may be a gas leak (can't smell your car from here but a mechanic may be able to tell). Could be worth checking the filter compartment, and then take the filter off and look as far as you can, to the motor assembly if possible to see if anything got in there.

[Smudger]

Thanks guys. I have been parked under a tree a few times, which was dropping its seeds, maybe a bunch of these are blocking the intake. I cleared most of them out...

[jigger]

You can buy Aircon Cleaners for about £10. The one I got was an aerosol that you set off and leave in the car for about 20 minutes with AC running.

[Zak33]

when did you last have your CABIN FILTER changed?

Although they're expensive they're essential to change if they ever get wet, and after a few years they are SO FULL of polutants and airborn crap they just stink.

On some cars, as pointed out, the air intake area (normally under the wiper arm mechansim, base of the windscreen) can fill up with leaves and on SOME cars, the drainage hole blocks and it fills with water. It's rain water from the base of the screen. It's particularly bad if the Cabin Filter is a VERTICAL one, because if the air intake area fills with enough water it can then get into the cabin air intake, through the cabin filter, and rust the motor (thanks GM for that one) and even wet the inside of the car!

[Smudger]

I can't remember the last time the cabin filter was changed...

[Zak33]

ok.. what car is it?

[Smudger]

It's a 2000 Pug 406 2ltr HDI

[peterb]

Yes, look at the air intake. A few wet leaves in there starting to go mouldy raises a pretty musty smell.

(Someone farting in your car can have the same effect though)

[Zak33]

that'll cost you £6 on Ebay inc delivery

[kalniel]

that'll cost you £6 on Ebay inc delivery

The filter, the fart, or the 406?

[Zak33]

buy a 406 filter and get a free car

i dont discuss bottom burps anymore..not since Mr Mayall passed away

[AETAaAS]

The filter, the fart, or the 406?

Triggered my silly mood...

[peterb]

^ Pity about the maths though

[Smudger]

Mine's a blue one, will this still work?