Air Con Service?

[geeteeaye]

Hi all,

Have had my Mk5 GTi for about 10 months now. I have the air con on all the time, and just recently (just after my first service at 18,000 miles) it has started to smell a bit - mainly when I start the car up for the first time. Doesn't do it all the time, but fairly often and I'd say its getting worse.

It smells like my old astra's air con that needed servicing so I assume thats what I need done. Does this seem a bit early as i've not even had the car a year (how often does the air con need servicing?) and wheres the best place to get it done? I've no idea what it costs...!

Cheers,
Scott

[adw555]

seems a bit early...had mine two years now and it still seems fine...although VW recommend it being serviced at the two year mark according to their website....

[Rhyso]

get some air con cleaner.

Look on Ebay for Forte or Wynns.  you leave the car running with the air con on with windows and doors shut; release the gas inside the canister and leave for about 10-15 minutes.  that should get rid of your smell. 

Might also be worth changing your Pollen filter too

[geeteeaye]

Magic, cheers will do. Will I still need to get the air con serviced regularly (e.g. every few years) or will this eliminate the need to do that?

[wantmygti]

Magic, cheers will do. Will I still need to get the air con serviced regularly (e.g. every few years) or will this eliminate the need to do that?

Would still need a service. Also, you need the service to maintain the warranty re the air con.

[geeteeaye]

Cheers. Do you think that given I've only had the car that this should be covered by the warranty? I guess it isn 't a break down or fault, but seems very soon for it to need done...

[wantmygti]

Cheers. Do you think that given I've only had the car that this should be covered by the warranty? I guess it isn 't a break down or fault, but seems very soon for it to need done...

Worth a try! Tell them it stinks, not that it needs a service!

[geeteeaye]

Will do! If I need to just buy the can,  is there a particular air intake I have to spray it into?

[Rhyso]

you leave it inside the front passenger footwell.  with the aircon on full and in recircle mode (so air is drawn from inside the cabin) and the gas will filter through the cabin    worked a treat when i used it on my MKIV last year  saves a costly trip to the stealers!

[geeteeaye]

sounds good, many thanks