View Poll Results: Has You A/C Smelled
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Foul A/C Smell
#11
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lion City
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My Ride: E46 320i, M3 paddle shift, Sat Nav
Originally Posted by ULtraPLanet' date='May 5 2005, 09:09 PM
[quote name='Rudy' date='May 5 2005, 03:03 PM']In the E39 and the E60, I always leave the recirculation feature set to auto...
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[/quote]Oh yes we get the same stuff over here too. There is always a sourish, damp moist smell upon engine startups. Smells like a p*@sy sometimes.
This smell is caused by water being trapped in the evaporator coil and the water condensate collection pan. Therefore, when you leave the car there overnight, next morning you will get the whiff of it.
There was this E39 that had the problem. Local agent actually replaced the coil 4 times, removed dashboard 5 seperate times and did some modifications according to factory reccommendations, modifying the pipes, drilling holes and stuff like that and the smell is still there. The owner was of course fed up, sold his 5 and bought a 7. Guess what? The smell is still there!!!
There are couple of things you can do to minimize the smell. Put to non recirculation when on highways for the hot air to come into the coil to create more condensate to flush out the left over water. Or Before you switch off the engine, switch off the compressor for 5 to 10 mins. This will minimize the smell when you switch on the engine next time. Try it.
#12
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Location: Los Angeles. CA
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My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
I am seeing a pattern hear. Those of us who have the system on set to full auto all the time have no problem. Mine is on even when the windows are down.
Keeping the system on recycle and turning off the compressor causes the odor.
Keeping the system on recycle and turning off the compressor causes the odor.
#14
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Location: New Orleans, LA USA
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My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Originally Posted by Hormazd' date='May 5 2005, 08:56 AM
I am seeing a pattern hear.? Those of us who have the system on set to full auto all the time have no problem.? Mine is on even when the windows are down.
Keeping the system on recycle and turning off the compressor causes the odor.
Keeping the system on recycle and turning off the compressor causes the odor.
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#16
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My Ride: 2004 530i Xenon, Sport, Premium, Automatic, Logic 7, Orient Blue & Auburn Dakota Leather with Dark Poplar Wood Trim
Originally Posted by zippers525' date='May 4 2005, 10:42 PM
I guess i should have put two other options in, I have not gotten my car yet, and I wont buy a BMW because of this
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LOL !
#17
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My Ride: 2006 530i Sport
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As stated here previously, the source of the smell is mold that grows in the system due to trapped condensation. The only good way of minimizing this is to always try to turn off the compressor several minutes before turning off the engine (as was already recommended in another post). You will notice a large amount of water accumulate on the vent louvers and some might even condense a bit on anything that the vent is blowing on - such as the steering wheel. All that water vapor needs to get out, otherwise mold will form and begin to smell.
#19
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My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Originally Posted by UUronL' date='May 5 2005, 11:24 AM
As stated here previously, the source of the smell is mold that grows in the system due to trapped condensation.? The only good way of minimizing this is to always try to turn off the compressor several minutes before turning off the engine (as was already recommended in another post).? You will notice a large amount of water accumulate on the vent louvers and some might even condense a bit on anything that the vent is blowing on - such as the steering wheel.? All that water vapor needs to get out, otherwise mold will form and begin to smell.
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#20
Always on Auto and have the smell.
We also have other problems with our A/C: the evaporator freezes in hot, rainy conditions and we lose ALL air.
Guess what? Surprise, surprise, the evaporator box was full of mold & causing the smell. Doyathink the two are related???
We also have other problems with our A/C: the evaporator freezes in hot, rainy conditions and we lose ALL air.
Guess what? Surprise, surprise, the evaporator box was full of mold & causing the smell. Doyathink the two are related???