Odor from A/C
08-04-2005, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by vancleve3' date='Aug 4 2005, 03:49 PM
I have an bad odor that come from by A/c when I first turn it on. Had it to the dealer but did not fix it. Has anyone had this problem? Does anyone have a TSB on this>
Larry
Larry
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It is a fairly common problem, as the filters are no well protected and easily get wet and mildewy. There is an older thread with pics of the filters. You can ask the dealer to replace them under warranty. Though, they typically want to clean and deodorize them. i had this done and instead of the stale smell at start up, I now get a perfumy smell at start up.deo
08-04-2005, 01:48 PM
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At 15k service my dealer cleaned my system to remove the mildew/mold - whatever. He suggested turning my A/C off slightly before the car is going to sit, so it can dry out.
Like I am going to remember to do this. I try but I am sure the smell will still come back. Luckily, I just notice it at startup or when I shut the A/C off.
It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
Like I am going to remember to do this. I try but I am sure the smell will still come back. Luckily, I just notice it at startup or when I shut the A/C off.
It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
08-04-2005, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jsal' date='Aug 4 2005, 11:48 PM
It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
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08-04-2005, 02:08 PM
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Not sure this is a BMW issue only. With my previous Audi/VW's I have owned to avoid the "smell" as the SA called it, I tried to kick off the compressor and blow the fan on hi for a minute or so to blow off condensation from the condenser unit. So far, this seems to work with the 530xi as we have just come off some hot/humid days in the Midwest with a lot of AC useage. If it fails to continue to work, I'll repost.
Originally Posted by jsal' date='Aug 4 2005, 05:48 PM
At 15k service my dealer cleaned my system to remove the mildew/mold - whatever.? He suggested turning my A/C off slightly before the car is going to sit, so it can dry out.
Like I am going to remember to do this.? I try but I am sure the smell will still come back.? Luckily, I just notice it at startup or when I shut the A/C off.
It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
Like I am going to remember to do this.? I try but I am sure the smell will still come back.? Luckily, I just notice it at startup or when I shut the A/C off.
It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
[snapback]156095[/snapback]
08-04-2005, 02:33 PM
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Its a common problem, especially in high humidity climates.
Have a look at
http://www.autoint.com/tips/odor_removal_ac.html
and
http://www.autoint.com/autostore/pc/viewPr...0&idproduct=187
worked OK on my E46 , needed re-treating every 3 or 4 months; hasn't appeared on my E60 yet
Have a look at
http://www.autoint.com/tips/odor_removal_ac.html
and
http://www.autoint.com/autostore/pc/viewPr...0&idproduct=187
worked OK on my E46 , needed re-treating every 3 or 4 months; hasn't appeared on my E60 yet
08-04-2005, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Iceman' date='Aug 4 2005, 02:06 PM
[quote name='jsal' date='Aug 4 2005, 11:48 PM']It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
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[/quote]This may be true. Just in my experience with Volvo, GM and other US cars, I have never experienced this problem - granted they exhibit other problems and are no where near the driving performance.
I understand what can happen with the condensation. It is just that A/C is not a new science. So, why does my 60k+ BMW have to be plagued with a smelly A/C? It is embarrising when I take people with me. Here is this beautiful automobile that people are in aw of, that I have to worry if it is going to blow bad smelling air.
The cleaning helped, but I should not have to dry out the A/C everytime I use it.
08-04-2005, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by jsal' date='Aug 4 2005, 05:36 PM
[quote name='Iceman' date='Aug 4 2005, 02:06 PM'][quote name='jsal' date='Aug 4 2005, 11:48 PM']It is weird that BMW is the only one that has this problem that I know of.
[snapback]156095[/snapback]
[snapback]156101[/snapback]
[/quote]This may be true. Just in my experience with Volvo, GM and other US cars, I have never experienced this problem - granted they exhibit other problems and are no where near the driving performance.
I understand what can happen with the condensation. It is just that A/C is not a new science. So, why does my 60k+ BMW have to be plagued with a smelly A/C? It is embarrising when I take people with me. Here is this beautiful automobile that people are in aw of, that I have to worry if it is going to blow bad smelling air.
The cleaning helped, but I should not have to dry out the A/C everytime I use it.
[snapback]156118[/snapback]
[/quote]My Volvo 855 does has smell. I turn off AC about 2 miles before I reach the destination to get rid of much of the condensation. Newer Volvo's fan motor will keep on running after the car is off to get rid of as much condensation as possible.
08-04-2005, 08:05 PM
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I had this problem a couple of months into the ownership. Read something about the condensation and how to rid it method. Here's what I tried and I did this for a couple of weeks (in total maybe 10 times), and the smell has not come back since (touch wood). However I am from a hot climate (but can also be quite humid), so maybe it's easier to rid it by doing so.
Each time about 10-15 minutes before I reached home, I turned off the aircon and turned the temp. to maximum (yah, remember to wind down all the windows!
), and let the blower go full blast. I also manually adjusted the idrive setting so that all out lets would have full blast set.
Alternatively, one can do this with the engine running for a while for a few times.
Each time about 10-15 minutes before I reached home, I turned off the aircon and turned the temp. to maximum (yah, remember to wind down all the windows!
), and let the blower go full blast. I also manually adjusted the idrive setting so that all out lets would have full blast set.Alternatively, one can do this with the engine running for a while for a few times.