Author Topic: Smelly Air Con  (Read 2876 times)

Offline mola mola

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Smelly Air Con
« on: 29 May 2012, 21:08 »
Hi my 56 reg GTI has smelly air con is this a simple fix by changing the pollen filters. Or will i be better off getting a service done.
Thanks
Harry

Offline 2007GTI

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #1 on: 30 May 2012, 08:29 »
you need to get an air con b0mb, new pollen filter wont make much difference.

2014 Mk7 GTI DSG 5dr in Carbon Grey, 18s, leather

Gone but not forgotten '07 Mk5 GTI DSG (2006 to 2014)

Offline tcyjohnny

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #2 on: 30 May 2012, 13:05 »
hi, new guy here.
funny enough I was thinking of the same thing this morning, I am going to try some of these? http://www.eurocarparts.com/air-con-cleaner
Possibly the one shot one, let us know how you get on with them.

Offline Saint Steve

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #3 on: 30 May 2012, 20:10 »
You'll need a complete Refresh of the system.Drain of the old refridgerant and re fill. Has the car had an air con recharge before? should be replaced every 2 years.

Had mine changed last weekend . Aircon temp on the coldest was 16 degree's, now it was regesturing 10 degree's even on a day which was 28 Degree's outside.



Offline Bandit127

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #4 on: 30 May 2012, 20:28 »
Changing the refrigerant will not get rid of the smell. Your refrigerant is on the wrong side of your aircon system to the cabin where your problem is.

Given your car is worth a lot more than mine - I might consider leaving this to the professionals.

However, if you are on a tight budget like me - your enemy is fungus and bacteria in your aircon and heating vents. Your weapons are anti bacteria agents that can be airborne (i.e. an atomised spray). I did this on my previous car to good effect - and it is all out anti bacterial warfare.

I used a car bomb like tcyjohnny linked to. I paid £20 for mine from Halfords though - sadly... Follow the instructions to the letter.

Next, I sprayed a disinfecting spray directly in to the vents. This is the one I used and I used about 1/3 of the can in all.
http://www.dettol.co.uk/disinfecting-spray
I also sprayed it on any signs of mould in the car (as mine was caused by a previous owner letting it get damp inside).

Be prepared to repeat this process until all the bacteria/fungus in the system is dead. Then you will have killed the source of the smell.

It worked for me and I wish you luck with yours.

Edit - I also changed the pollen filter. It was in the cabin on that car and well gunked up.



« Last Edit: 31 May 2012, 06:24 by Bandit127 »

Offline craigus

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #5 on: 30 May 2012, 21:42 »
Mines same on my golf had air con service and refresh last year at dealers as it was on offer and now it still smells..... Might have to try cleaning it out again

Offline 2007GTI

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #6 on: 01 June 2012, 10:58 »
just had air con service, which included discharging and re-charging the system and then a sonic clean, their name for air con b0mb.

and they matched kwik crap, did it for £49.
2014 Mk7 GTI DSG 5dr in Carbon Grey, 18s, leather

Gone but not forgotten '07 Mk5 GTI DSG (2006 to 2014)

Offline Saint Steve

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #7 on: 01 June 2012, 21:41 »
just had air con service, which included discharging and re-charging the system and then a sonic clean, their name for air con b0mb.

and they matched kwik crap, did it for £49.

£35 for me at jkm rolling road! Looks like I got a bargain then!


Offline Viking

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #8 on: 09 June 2012, 11:28 »
If you're gonna change the pollen filter and disinfect the system, I take the old pollen filter out and then disinfect, then refit a new pollen filter. No point disinfecting the old pollen filter, and no point disinfecting the new one either.

Offline Wayne

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Re: Smelly Air Con
« Reply #9 on: 09 June 2012, 14:17 »
Get the system drained / vac'd down and then regassed as required.