Smelly Aircon

[timwiti]

When I first turn my aircon on I get a damp fusty smell - is this normal?
2003 S4
My S3 used to smell like a new car when I turned it on!

 

[arthurfuxake]

you get condensation from the aircon, and if this gathers, the collected water develops bacteria which smells musty. you can buy air-con anti-bacterial spray. You release the can of spray in the car with all the windows closed and the aircon on full blast on recirc mode. this kills the bacteria and the air smells fresh again.

 

[dummi]

or a bit of detol on the aircon inlet then a blast of air for a bit would do it

 

[timwiti]

where's the aircon inlet?

 

[dummi]

try where the filter is douse a cloth and pin it over the inlet

 

[A4Andy]

I have the same problem really with mine.

Where are the inlets? Can someone take a photo and post it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Marko]

I had a rank smell when I first turned on the blowers. It was ok when the aircon fully kicked in. I used one of those sprays too. This didn't help. I removed the bulkhead cover to notice that there was loads of rank water collecting where the battery sits. The battery was half submerged and so were some of the air con pipes and rubbers. I drained 8 litres of water away before find the drain hole (which was bunged solid) under the battery. I simply put my hand in the engine bay until I found the star shaped rubber.

The water had gone rank with the warmer weather and the system was drawing that air in. It's unlikely to be this but worth a check.