Air conditioning smells bad

sparkthatbled

Hi, minor problem here. Lately my air conditioner in my car (Honda Jazz) has started to smell really bad. Not to put too fine a point on it but it smells like my driver's seat after a long journey! Is anyone aware of how to fix such issues? I assume there is a filter of some sort catching bad smells and retaining them but the manual that came with the car gives nothing away in this regard. Any help would be appreciated!

Justin10

Filter needs to be changed

sparkthatbled

Yeah but i don't know where the filter is. Is this an easy DIY job?

shanemc1

The evaporator needs to be cleaned. You can get a spray from an motor factor. It's not typically a diy job although most sprays do claim this. You have to know what your looking to clean. This is along the lines what you need http://www.micksgarage.ie/home.aspx?DeptID=197 For it to work effectively the pollen filter needs to be removed (Not sure were in a Jazz but usually buried under dash or in front scuttle panel) Then the pipe to be pushed in towards the evaporator and sprayed. It also help to spray some on a new pollen filter which you may as well replace while it's done.

djimi

sparkthatbled wrote: »

Yeah but i don't know where the filter is. Is this an easy DIY job?

Cant speak for the Jazz but it was a hell of a job in my Accord to change the pollen filter. It involved taking off the glove box panel (more or less the entire passenger side dash), then unplugging some wires and removing a metal panel to get at the pollen filter. If you know what youre at its doable but tbh if I was doing it again Id just let a garage do it and save me the hassle!

Justin10

real pain of a job. Usually around the windscreen

bazz26

Start with the easy things first.

I had a similar smell from my air con, bacteria can build up in the air vents causing the smell. I bought a can of air conditioning purifier like this http://cgi.ebay.ie/Car-Pride-Air-Conditioning-Cleaner-Purifier-car-care-/270611706956?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f01b6f44c. Put the air conditioning on full blast and left the can open in the car with the windows and doors locked for about 10 mins. This did the trick and the air conditioning hasn't smelled bad since.

If that doesn't work then maybe have a look at replacing the pollen filter.

sparkthatbled

Cheers for the advice, the pollen filter is easy to get at, you just pop out a bit in the glove box and it slides out from behind but it's not the source of the smell. I'll give the spray stuff a go!