AC Mildew smell
03-31-2009, 11:39 AM
#12
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 E61 530d M-Sport.
Originally Posted by mrfva' post='831853' date='Mar 31 2009, 07:09 PM
Before you get hooked on a temporary solution, replace the filters if necessary and let the air blower run w/the AC off. This will help in drying out the condensation that eventually forms and sits which leads to the mildew smell.
This is exactly it. Its the moisture that collects that causes the smell. You need to run a bacterial cleaner through the a/c with it in recirc and in my case I needed to change the filters as the smell came back after a couple of weeks until they were changed.
07-21-2009, 06:23 PM
#13
Originally Posted by PraiseTheLowered' post='831249' date='Mar 30 2009, 08:06 PM
im telling you guys use Klima Klean
it works great
all my mildew smell is gone
it works great
all my mildew smell is gone
07-21-2009, 06:50 PM
#14
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Miami Gardens, FL
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dv8ed' post='949633' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:23 PM
PraiseTheLowered: Did you spray into passenger side foot well or did you spray into vents?
07-21-2009, 06:57 PM
#15
Originally Posted by EV4530' post='949653' date='Jul 21 2009, 08:50 PM
You gotta spray it only in the center vents
I see... do I need to set to recirculate and put AC on high or no AC just air on high? I'm going to be inside the car when all of this is happening? I hope I don't pass out.
07-21-2009, 07:03 PM
#16
Contributors
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
The Klima Clean stuff has a long hose that you shove down the center vents and spray into. You can also take off the microfilters and spray it directly in there as well.
Set the air on recirc, the blower on high and turn the A/C on. Let it run for XX amount of time, i think it's like 15 min - 20min and you should be good to go, for a while. This won't fix it permanently because the mildew will come back, it's inevitable.
There are also fogger systems that you can put in your car that fill it up with "invisible" smoke. You let the car sit and recirc for a while and it does the same thing, but without the need for spraying it directly into your vents. I think it also helps with general odors in the car's fabrics i.e. carpet, headliner, etc.
@dv8ed, I wouldn't recommend sitting in the car while its on, I don't imagine it would harm you but that's just weird
Set the air on recirc, the blower on high and turn the A/C on. Let it run for XX amount of time, i think it's like 15 min - 20min and you should be good to go, for a while. This won't fix it permanently because the mildew will come back, it's inevitable.
There are also fogger systems that you can put in your car that fill it up with "invisible" smoke. You let the car sit and recirc for a while and it does the same thing, but without the need for spraying it directly into your vents. I think it also helps with general odors in the car's fabrics i.e. carpet, headliner, etc.
@dv8ed, I wouldn't recommend sitting in the car while its on, I don't imagine it would harm you but that's just weird
07-22-2009, 08:13 AM
#17
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: St Pete, FL
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 550i M sport
Originally Posted by Dandle' post='831922' date='Mar 31 2009, 03:39 PM
This is exactly it. Its the moisture that collects that causes the smell. You need to run a bacterial cleaner through the a/c with it in recirc and in my case I needed to change the filters as the smell came back after a couple of weeks until they were changed.
I had the same issue and it got better after the dealer used the spray AND ultimately changed the charcoal filters under the hood. This will fix it and to prevent it from coming back, try to minimize use of the recirc air. When my SA told me that, i was insulted at first but it really does make the difference. Its the MAX AC that causes the moisture build up. PS if you do change the filters...its reall easy and you can find them in any auto parts store for half the cost of OEM dealer filters. Use the search feature to find a post that was started a few months ago showing the location of the filters....basically one on each side directly in front of the windshield (but under the hood). Good luck
07-22-2009, 09:13 PM
#18
Contributors
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
I posted a thread a while ago about microfilters that I ordered online. Much nicer than the Bosch ones I ordered at Autozone, and were cheaper online, only $55 shipped versus $65 at Autozone.
I think it was germanfilters.com or something like that
I think it was germanfilters.com or something like that
07-23-2009, 01:53 AM
#19
Members
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're running the AC with Recirc, just turn off the AC and leave the Recirc running maybe 2-5 minutes before arriving at your destination. That blows out a lot of the moist air.
I've never been in a Japanese car that has the same problem.
I've never been in a Japanese car that has the same problem.
07-23-2009, 02:32 PM
#20
Members
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 06 550i - Sport, CWP, Logic 7
This is a common problems with BMW's E36/E46/E39.....
Regular Lysol does the trick. Open the hood, remove the vent filters. Turn on the blower to full blast, open the the windows/doors and spray the the Lysol into the vent filter for 15-20 seconds, than leave the blower on for a 2-3min.
To prevent the bacteria, you need to turn off the AC before you reach your destination, turn the blower to full and let it dry out the condensor. It's a pain.
If the car is under warranty, the dealer will clean it out but they now have restrictions on how many times they will do this for you.
Regular Lysol does the trick. Open the hood, remove the vent filters. Turn on the blower to full blast, open the the windows/doors and spray the the Lysol into the vent filter for 15-20 seconds, than leave the blower on for a 2-3min.
To prevent the bacteria, you need to turn off the AC before you reach your destination, turn the blower to full and let it dry out the condensor. It's a pain.
If the car is under warranty, the dealer will clean it out but they now have restrictions on how many times they will do this for you.