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Smelly A/C

  • 20-07-2011 11:35am
    #1
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    The A/C in my car absolutely STINKS! Before, it smelt like smelly socks, so I changed the pollen filter. Problem solved.

    This time around it smells like the worlds strongest vinegar. Does anybody know why this might be happening and/or how I might get it sorted out?

    After reading the internet I discovered that putting an open bottle of vinegar on the dash with A/C on was good to cleanse out any bad smells... but sure that wouldn't work as the original smell is vinegar. So I read somewhere else that a coffee jar would suffice. Which it did. Temporarily. Smell was back again this morning.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    sentient_6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,780 ✭✭✭sentient_6


    Isn't there anti bacterial stuff you get specifically for cleaning A/C vents? I think you take out the filter & turn on the fan, spraying the stuff into wherever the air is taken in. Wonder would it help?

    EDIT: was searching for threads that might have exactly what to get & see you probably know this already.


  • #3
    vectra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,626 ✭✭✭✭vectra


    You need something like this ;)


  • #4
    -Chris-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,035 ✭✭✭✭-Chris-


    vectra wrote: »
    You need something like this ;)

    I can't tell if that's an antibacterial treatment or just a deodouriser.


  • #5
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    Do you think if I buy that product I won't have to change the pollen filter? It was changed about 9/10 months ago and TBH, I'm not really sure how often they should be changed.


  • #6
    sentient_6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,780 ✭✭✭sentient_6


    Might be no harm to change it sure there cheap enough? Change interval is 15k km's on my yoke. Might be in the car's manual? ( written in on the bottom of the glove box in mine too, check there as well)


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  • #7
    vectra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,626 ✭✭✭✭vectra


    -Chris- wrote: »
    I can't tell if that's an antibacterial treatment or just a deodouriser.

    I am unsure of that myself.


    Anti-Bacterial treatment would be better though as you mention it.


    Here is a cheaper one
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-CONDITIONING-CLEANER-PURIFIER-CAR-PRIDE-AIRCON-NEW-/250829632995?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a669c75e3#ht_1219wt_754

    And another
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aircon-Cleaner-anti-bacteria-freshner-easy-Air-Con-Bomb-/170387207563?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27abde758b#ht_564wt_698


    Halfords

    http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_224996_langId_-1_categoryId_212466


  • #8
    Vertakill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,262 ✭✭✭Vertakill


    And once you've used the anti-bacterial stuff in the car, make sure to run your AC much more often. The bacteria builds up as a result of not being used often enough.

    Even if it's only just on and feels like it's barely doing anything, it will prevent bacteria growing.

    Other 'suggestions' I've heard is to ramp it up to the highest temperature setting and let it run for 30 mins so that it dries out the AC unit and kills off the bacteria - not sure how successful this theory is mind you so just try the anti-bacterial method first.. :)


  • #9
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    Vertakill wrote: »
    And once you've used the anti-bacterial stuff in the car, make sure to run your AC much more often. The bacteria builds up as a result of not being used often enough.

    That's the thing, I use it EVERY single day. I have it set to 'Low' all the time. Even during the cold winter it was on 'Low' - after the initial thaw of the windows obviously. Not sure why but I just love an ice-cold car :)

    Not good for the fuel consumption but who cares if you're comfy right!?

    Thanks for the links Vectra, I'll pick one of them up and see how I get on.


  • #10
    vectra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,626 ✭✭✭✭vectra


    Cereal Rapist wrote: »
    Thanks for the links Vectra, I'll pick one of them up and see how I get on.

    No prob bud,

    I might actually pick up one of the cheap ones for the Civic to "freshen up" the system.
    Let me know how it goes for you


  • #11
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    vectra wrote: »
    No prob bud,

    I might actually pick up one of the cheap ones for the Civic to "freshen up" the system.
    Let me know how it goes for you

    Will do!


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  • #12
    Ninap
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 545 ✭✭✭Ninap


    I don't think any of those little cans is really going to do the job. The entire aircon system (condenser, filters etc) need to be properly cleaned and disinfected. There was a detailed article about it in a recent issue of BMW Car (unfortunately not on line). The moist warm conditions in the system are ideal for mould and bacterial growth.


  • #13
    vectra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,626 ✭✭✭✭vectra


    Ninap wrote: »
    I don't think any of those little cans is really going to do the job. The entire aircon system (condenser, filters etc) need to be properly cleaned and disinfected. There was a detailed article about it in a recent issue of BMW Car (unfortunately not on line). The moist warm conditions in the system are ideal for mould and bacterial growth.


    Isn't this ( Anti Bacterial Can treatment ) exactly what Audi do when you send your car in to have this job done?


  • #14
    MugMugs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    These are cheaper ! :D
    smiley%20small_lrg.jpg


  • #15
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    vectra wrote: »
    Isn't this ( Anti Bacterial Can treatment ) exactly what Audi do when you send your car in to have this job done?

    Well it is an Audi so no point bringing it in for that :)


  • #16
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    Ok, so I thought I'd post back here in the hopes of getting one last bit of help...

    I changed the pollen filter about 4 days ago and ran one of those Anti-Bacterial canisters through the A/C yet the smell is still there!

    Any further advice?


  • #17
    Monty.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 696 ✭✭✭Monty.


    I've heard of people boiling a kettle of water inside the car while the aircon is on ?

    Alternatively maybe one of your "friends" planted a bit of food/fish behind one of the air vents for a laugh ?


  • #18
    Vertakill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,262 ✭✭✭Vertakill


    Mario, is that you?


  • #19
    -Corkie-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,025 ✭✭✭✭-Corkie-


    Vertakill wrote: »
    Mario, is that you?

    My brother in law once put a small dead pig in my glove box one time. I found it 2 weeks later...:mad:


  • #20
    Monty.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 696 ✭✭✭Monty.


    Vertakill wrote: »
    Mario, is that you?

    :D - ~ that was one expensive prank, somebody is going to do well out of that one. Proves the rumour that most footballers are just big kids with more money than sense.
    Balotelli's pricey white motor [ a Maserati] is expected to be an insurance write-off because of the fishy stench of its upholstery, but the striker is already plotting his revenge, apparently.

    Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/871125-mario-balotelli-subjected-to-rotting-fish-prank-by-man-city-boys#ixzz1TulUimKZ


  • #21
    Mr. Manager
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    Monty. wrote: »
    I've heard of people boiling a kettle of water inside the car while the aircon is on ?

    Alternatively maybe one of your "friends" planted a bit of food/fish behind one of the air vents for a laugh ?

    I could come to terms if that was the case but I live with my missus and she wouldn't even know where to begin if she wanted to sabotage my car (not that she'd want to anyways :))

    The car is getting a valet in 2 weeks so hopefully a nice smell from the steam cleaned/shampooed seats an carpet will sort it out


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  • #22
    Ardent
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,352 ✭✭✭Ardent


    Cereal Rapist wrote: »
    Ok, so I thought I'd post back here in the hopes of getting one last bit of help...

    I changed the pollen filter about 4 days ago and ran one of those Anti-Bacterial canisters through the A/C yet the smell is still there!

    Any further advice?

    Buy a bottle of regular Dettol Anti-Bacterial spray, take out the pollen filter, and give your AC system a good blast with it. Then leave your AC running for a while to dry out. The smell should be gone, if not repeat the procedure until it is. Worked for me.


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