Smelly Aircon help

glasgowdubber · Feb 24, 2019

I've done a search and read posts on similar issues, however doesn't seem to point to a single solution.

The car only done this when I had driven around a 30 mile trip, as soon as I got back into the car to complete the return journey there was an instant strong smell, like cat p*ss, now like smelly feet.

I've only just got the car back from Audi, is this pointing to a aircon recharge?

I did read posts about people not using aircon and then suddenly when they do get this smell its when they have turned AC on, which is exactly what happened, however I also read another post stating that "smelly water" in the reservoir may have caused this, coincidentally my washers light had came on just before I completed my first journey.

I'm going to call Audi first thing in the morning, the car was only bought in October, am I expecting too much thinking this should have been completed as part of the used car "prep" if there was no record of it being done previously (4 year old car)?

Usman786 · Feb 24, 2019

Try changing the cabin pollen filter.
Mine had a bad smell but went after I changed this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

glasgowdubber · Feb 24, 2019

Usman786 said:
Try changing the cabin pollen filter.
Mine had a bad smell but went after I changed this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not too clued up on the whole inside and out of cars but shouldn't that be changed as part of the service?

Svenedin · Feb 24, 2019

Change the pollen filter (or ask Audi to do if you don't want to DIY) and then let off one of the air con cleaner aerosol bombs in the cabin (you can get them in Halfords, STP and Autoglym make them among others).

JonnyS3 · Feb 24, 2019

I did DIY change of pollen filter however mine was smelly due to lack of use.

What I did / had to do was get into the car and put it on full blast and highest temp it can go and go driving for a while with the windows open.

A couple of consecutive days of this the smell went. Don’t know if the temp killed the germs

AlS3BE · Feb 24, 2019

The cold wet weather over the winter months will mean moisture doesn’t evaporate so damp smell lingering. Normally worse if the air con isn’t on as that removes moisture.
Check if the carpet is damp underneath the mats. If it is then there’s a leak somewhere.

lee red · Feb 24, 2019

You would think that this and the air con system would be cleaned as a standard check or part of a service especially as part of the used car checks anyhow if there’s a part of the air con system that is not doing what it should i would like to think it is covered by the warranty

AlS3BE · Feb 24, 2019

lee red said:
You would think that this and the air con system would be cleaned as a standard check or part of a service especially as part of the used car checks anyhow if there’s a part of the air con system that is not doing what it should i would like to think it is covered by the warranty

Air con service and sunroof service is optional items in the service schedules. It’s every 2 years. Even the service is just re-gas. The cleaning anti bacterial treatment isn’t even in the schedules.
If they are not done then its within Audi’s rights to refuse/reject warranty claims.

Retroman · Feb 24, 2019

Another vote from me for the cabin/pollen/air-con filter. They can be overlooked and get leaves, dirt and other rotting debris trapped against them.

Audi Ashley · Feb 25, 2019

I get a damp smell but only when I out recirc on. I have had aircon regass and new pollen filter and 2 aircon bombs but still get damp smell when i put it into recirc mode. normal aircon mode is fine tho....dont know whats up?

glasgowdubber · Feb 25, 2019

So the smell has changed from being very potent to the smell what I can only describe as smelly socks! No idea how that can happen so suddenly, going to call Audi tomorrow and see what they say.

Wing Lun · Feb 25, 2019

glasgowdubber said:
So the smell has changed from being very potent to the smell what I can only describe as smelly socks! No idea how that can happen so suddenly, going to call Audi tomorrow and see what they say.

I realise the smell occurs much more around the summer season, and in the winter season I can barely smell it when AC is switched on. Weird enough I had that same smell on my previous Polo 6R. Changed cabin filter, air con service and antibacterial clean from Halfords...still didn't work so I gave up and left it, even with my A3 now...

So lets see what Audi says and appreciate if you get an answer from them thanks

eribaMotters · Feb 25, 2019

I was always told to leave the air-con on all of the time. You have paid for it so use it. In summer it will keep you cool and in winter it helps demist.
The aircon fluid holds a lubricant that circulates the system and keeps the seals/joints from drying out. Even when used all of the time you can get about a 10% gas loss per year and hence the 2yr advisory on re-gas. When done correctly the system is purged and the garage [I've always used an independent] should be able to give you a print-out of how much was pulled out of the system and how much was put back in.
Some will say this is rubbish and they don't notice a decline in performance [it is gradual] or need for a re-gas, but I've followed this advice in the four cars I've owned with air-con and never had a smell or loss of efficiency.

Colin

dannyboy1985 · Feb 25, 2019

Pollen filter vote. My car was steaming up like mad and slightly musty smell old filter looked fine and dry but sorted both once changed.

davc · Feb 25, 2019

Shouldn't the pollen filter be changed at every inspection service anyway?

I wonder how many stealers actually do this. I always check mine before and after the service to make sure it has been changed because I don't trust them.

Audi Ashley · Feb 25, 2019

Will be interesting to know what Audi say about the aircon? Hopefully not a "characteristic of the car" lol

Svenedin · Feb 25, 2019

davc said:
Shouldn't the pollen filter be changed at every inspection service anyway?

I wonder how many stealers actually do this. I always check mine before and after the service to make sure it has been changed because I don't trust them.

Why would they change the pollen filter at an inspection service?

davc · Feb 26, 2019

Alright smart ar$e a major service then.

Audi Ashley · Feb 26, 2019

Mine had a new pollen filter change and it wasnt a major service

Wibbly · Feb 26, 2019

eribaMotters said:
I was always told to leave the air-con on all of the time. ... In summer it will keep you cool and in winter it helps demist.

Yep, I would keep it on in future. Eco mode should help to reduce energy consumption if you;re concerned by that.

traindweller · Feb 26, 2019

Audi Ashley said:
Mine had a new pollen filter change and it wasnt a major service

Audi used to say ..'inspect and change filter if required' which was just one of the reasons I stopped using them as they still charged the same price regardless.
Not sure if it is still the same now though.

glasgowdubber · Apr 26, 2019

So coming back to this, I was told by Audi I could book the car in, but if they couldn't find anything then I'd be charged £75 for an inspection. I have now changed the cabin filter (with the aid of a youtube video), I've completed 2 full air con cleaners and the smell is still there, albeit not as bad as before but still noticeable. I'm reluctant to book the car into Audi in case I get stung for £75 I'd rather use that money towards a proper air con clean.

Also to note, I have checked for damp carpets etc, I haven't found anything to suggest an internal leak. In case anyone hasnt read my other post the car had only covered 10,000 miles when I bought it (4 year old car), it's now covered 13,000 is this possibly related? Could the car potentially have been lying un-used for some time and cause bacteria build up?

Vale46 · Apr 26, 2019

Did you try the suggestion above which was to put on maximum heat and cycle the heated air through all the different on your next couple of drives?
This solved the issue for me.

I left air con off over the winter before last and in spring I had a horrible smell. Did the above heat blasting over a couple of weeks (cycling heat through the different vents) and the smell completely disappeared.

Left air con over the winter just gone and no smells thankfully.

Audi Ashley · Apr 26, 2019

So coming back to this, I was told by Audi I could book the car in, but if they couldn't find anything then I'd be charged £75 for an inspection. I have now changed the cabin filter (with the aid of a youtube video), I've completed 2 full air con cleaners and the smell is still there, albeit not as bad as before but still noticeable. I'm reluctant to book the car into Audi in case I get stung for £75 I'd rather use that money towards a proper air con clean.

Also to note, I have checked for damp carpets etc, I haven't found anything to suggest an internal leak. In case anyone hasnt read my other post the car had only covered 10,000 miles when I bought it (4 year old car), it's now covered 13,000 is this possibly related? Could the car potentially have been lying un-used for some time and cause bacteria build up?

I have the exact same issue and done the exact same things as you and even a regass which i know has nothing to do with it and yet the smell is still there.

Flying Scotsman · Apr 26, 2019

I had a similar issue...it smelt like dog pooh when the air con was switched on. The cabin filter had been changed two months prior to this issue at the two year service..... tried full heat with air con on and air bombs...still the same issue..... booked it into the dealer for ionisation treatment of air con system, that kills all bacteria.....problem solved...cost about 90 quid, but I got it for free....good customer and a great dealership.

cuke2u · Apr 26, 2019

Yup, the issue is so easily resolved by having the correct preventative and cyclical servicing carried. So many seem to ignore this and pay the price...

glasgowdubber · Apr 26, 2019

jm-darcy said:
Did you try the suggestion above which was to put on maximum heat and cycle the heated air through all the different on your next couple of drives?
This solved the issue for me.

I left air con off over the winter before last and in spring I had a horrible smell. Did the above heat blasting over a couple of weeks (cycling heat through the different vents) and the smell completely disappeared.

Left air con over the winter just gone and no smells thankfully.

Yep, tried this at least a dozen times, still no change.

Flying Scotsman said:
I had a similar issue...it smelt like dog pooh when the air con was switched on. The cabin filter had been changed two months prior to this issue at the two year service..... tried full heat with air con on and air bombs...still the same issue..... booked it into the dealer for ionisation treatment of air con system, that kills all bacteria.....problem solved...cost about 90 quid, but I got it for free....good customer and a great dealership.

I gave up today and just booked the car in with Audi, first appointment was Thursday next week, I've never heard of the above, BUT I'll defo put this forward as an option when the car is in, cheers.

AlS3BE · Apr 26, 2019

I’ve had some used cars before with weird smells but a few things have worked very well for me. I also occasionally have a cheeky fag in my cars so know it at least works with this.
For not too bad smells get coal on a hot day and leave it in the car with the windows closed. The coal absorbs smells. This is how carbon filters work.
What works best for me though is onions. Cut a big one in quarters and leave around inside car for half a day or so. Longer the better. Onions has properties that absorbs smells and bacteria. That’s why you don’t store onions in a fridge cause it will pick up all sorts of nasties.
Once done open windows and drive for 5 minutes to air the onion smell out and everything should smell better.
To put it this way I sold a car I smoked heavily in with this onion trick and it worked a treat. This also works to remove paint and solvent smells in the house.

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