rtbiscuit Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 i am noticing a bad odour in my car, and no its not me. if i run the aircon its fine, and if i run any heat its ok, but if i run the vents on normal but cold, i get a kind of damp stale smell through the vents, is this curable or will i smell for ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurrish Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I have the exact same problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zazur Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I smell too I have tried the comma air con cleaner which made it smell sweet for 2 days and then I began to stink again (must wash more often). I have now put a smelly in the car and the Z smells sweet again every morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xStric9x Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I smell too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 The answer that I came up with while searching It turns out it's fairly common problem, which in the vast majority of instances stems from using the HVAC "recirculation" mode. In this mode--put as an option on cars so that if you are stopped behind a bus the AC won't suck in the noxious exhaust fumes--the system doesn't draw in outside air, but recirculates the air in the car. If you keep the recirculation button on for a long period of time it causes condensation build up in the system, particularly the filter, which produces a nasty smelling mold. I have heard horror stories that once the mold builds up, you have to replace the entire system. In my case, I simply remembered to keep the recirculation button off, and it went away in a few days. I might also have run the car one night with the heat on to help dry it out and kill any molds. In any case, the problem has never returned. edit. Or a mouldy marathon bar in the cubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkie34 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Me too,soon as I turn the aircon off and go back to normal blower it stinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Me too,soon as I turn the aircon off and go back to normal blower it stinks. +1. I never use recirculate, and it only smells when i turn the ac on or off.... its never during!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Mould on the condenser ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted May 2, 2009 Author Share Posted May 2, 2009 have only noticed it since the hot weather has started and i've been running the cold blower no AC. so maybe running the hot blower for an evening might kill it all off. very rairly run the recuirculation, only tend to use normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 have only noticed it since the hot weather has started and i've been running the cold blower no AC. so maybe running the hot blower for an evening might kill it all off. very rairly run the recuirculation, only tend to use normal. you've had hot weather? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 have only noticed it since the hot weather has started and i've been running the cold blower no AC. so maybe running the hot blower for an evening might kill it all off. very rairly run the recuirculation, only tend to use normal. you've had hot weather? Where've you been mate? The summer has been and gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zazur Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 have only noticed it since the hot weather has started and i've been running the cold blower no AC. so maybe running the hot blower for an evening might kill it all off. very rairly run the recuirculation, only tend to use normal. Bear in mind my Z came from Lithunia and I it back in January in all the snow and freezing fog in Europe and I am a WHIMP I had the heating on MAX while driving it back over 2 days to the UK. I noticed the smell as soon as I got the car back to the UK, so the heat did not kill the pong and have not used the recuirc button. So where did I leave those 4 week old socks now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich5259 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I have this smell too, glad it's not just me. Will let you know if i find out what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 have run my car for about 2 hours today and have been driving with the window down and the heaters on full. and about an hour ago i flicked the switch back over to cold and no odour or smell at all. i haven't run the AC yet so that might put moisture back into the system. but it looks like as long as you regularly heat out your vents it should keep it under control. will keep an eye on it and see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matth76 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I'm not sure which button is the re-circulation button. Can anyone point out which one it is as I know there are two? However I only ever notice the smell if the air con has been on and then after it is turned off the smell appears. So I would assume it is something directly related to the air con but only appears after it has been turned off. We get it at work occasionally with the air con in the ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I think it's on the middlw one. Around one LED it has a pic of a car with circular air.... Around the other it has a flowing arrow..... It's standard symbols that are on *most* cars...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Coops Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 The A/C is system is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria (prob spelt wrong) and mould alike. It is stronly advised to 'service' the A/C system at the same time as a normal service which involves usind an Air con Purge. It is also advised to replace the particle filter anually or every 2 years. The process of carrying out this purge varies but the norm and what i do is the following. Start engine and put A/C on full blast, Cold and Recirc place activate the purge can and place in the centre of the vehicle and leave once all the can has emptied leave the car for a further 10 mins. At this point i hold my breath and change the setting i.e face vents and feet. i then leave it for 2 mins on each once you have done them all switch the car off and leave for and hour as it is really strong smelling and will send you off your t**s. We used to do this at nissan on every major service loads of companies do these A/c purges e.g. Forte. New filter (if poss) Purge Job done My 350z smells all good and so have all my cars, i belive do to this process. http://www.forteuk.co.uk/Air_conditioner.htm Or type Bacteria in car air con into google and see what comes up!!! hope this helps coops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkie34 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 How do we get hold of this stuff,the web site says it sells to trade only? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 similar product and use ? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... _langId_-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoREoD Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 My son also had a similar problem. Turned out it was something growing in the washer reservoir, drifting out through the washer jets and being sucked in to the car. Finally tracked it down by taking off the washer filler cap and sniffing - pheurrrrrrr. Cured by a small amount of bleach (capful) and then topping up with water. All is sweet now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 similar product and use ? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... _langId_-1 That's the stuff I use. Works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic-39 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 do we have a pollen filter in the Zed Have had a search and cannot locate anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I too have bought the COMMA AC cleaner from Halfords for over a TENNER a pop . If you have a branch of INSTORE near you, pop in and go to the auto section. Carpride's version of the AC spray/bomb only £2.99 .....says tested to meet BS EN 1276, but hey, it's 1/4 the price of the Comma one. VERGING ON FREENESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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