Hi Guys - First post so be gentle...

I got my 06 octavia about 8 months ago and have had a few niggles along the way. Things like the seat belt warning bing going off, rear wiper spray doesn't work ( still ongoing), EGR valve clogged and now a new one.

I'm getting a strange smell coming from the climate control that I can only describe as mothbally!!! I've check all the oil, water etc and everything seems to be a ok and the car doesn't overheat.

This has only started recently so is it a warning sign????

Thanks for your help in advance.

Dont quote me on this but my wifes car (Honda CRV) smells like you describe and has been put down to the pollen filter which is being changed as part of a service next week, hope this helps.

Great thread title!

I'd say pollen filter as well. Change that, then depending on the outcome, the AC might need attention too. Also, if water/debris has been leaking past the pollen filter then the passenger carpet and/or mat might be damp too, so check that too.

Steve

Thanks Guys.

Will check that and let you know

Hi Guys - First post so be gentle...

I got my 06 octavia about 8 months ago and have had a few niggles along the way. Things like the seat belt warning bing going off, rear wiper spray doesn't work ( still ongoing), EGR valve clogged and now a new one.

I'm getting a strange smell coming from the climate control that I can only describe as mothbally!!! I've check all the oil, water etc and everything seems to be a ok and the car doesn't overheat.

This has only started recently so is it a warning sign????

Thanks for your help in advance.

I would suspect the pollen filter needs to be changed, also the aircon system may need to be deodourised - you can get cans of stuff to do this from ALdi or Lidl now and again (would assume you can get them off the internet also) - just follow the directions - have car running, open all vents and have the aircon on - open the can and leave it in the car with the doors closed - make sure you are not in the car as the vapour is poisonous to kill all the bacteria in the aircon system - should take about 20 mins.

You can get it done at the dealers but they will probably take around £60 or more.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks Guys

Wardy - Can't feel any moisture so i'm taking that as a good sign

Dave - I've never heard of these before but definately going to have a look for them now.

Cheers everyone

Linky

Edited 14 January, 201115 yr by vRS_Pagey

Dampness is just one thing to check. Yes, it's better if it's dry, but it still could be the filter.

When the AC needed cleaning mine smelt like old mature warm cheese!

Personally, I'd renew the pollen filter, then look at cleaning the AC system. As said, those pressurised canisters are a good way of addressing it. You might need a few, to properly clear it. I used one, then another a week later just to give it time to clear through.

Steve

Thanks Guys

Wardy - Can't feel any moisture so i'm taking that as a good sign

Dave - I've never heard of these before but definately going to have a look for them now.

Cheers everyone

This is the one they sell in Aldi or Lidl (cant remember which) - at this price (amazon) you could do it every couple of months.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-Pride-Conditioning-Cleaner-Purifier/dp/B0033M64U2/ref=pd_cp_auto_1

I would still change the pollen filter as well.

Cheers

Dave

The smell we had was like bad eggs or like manure smell you get of off farms etc, anyway dealer deodirised the a/c and changed filter and smell went.This was under warranty at the time.

This happens when the air con is only used rairly. When the heater and chilling is without the aircon, condensation can build up on the ducting pipes and microbes grow. When the aircon is used, the air is dehumidified and drys all the pipes and as it does so, you get the smell from the microbes. The process is essentially the same as that that generates our body odour if we don't use an anti persperant/deoderant.

Easily fixed with stuff from Halfords.

Change the pollen filter.

Check the system is fully gassesd - Air-con Measure & Charge £49.99

Deoderise - Air-con Cleaner £11.73

The cleaner works by running the car with the vents open in recirculate mode and the air-con on, you release the canister and shut the door and leave it for about 10 - 15 minutes from memory. Obviously you stand outside so you don't fumigate yourself!

Easy to prevent reoccurance, either

always run the air-con; I've run my car for a week with no air con and measured the fule economy and done the same the following week with the aircon on all the time with no change in economy.

OR

run the air con for about 5 minutes at least once a month to flush the system through.

I get my cars air con checked every year for free, the local auto center have a summer offer that if you present the advert from the local free paper, the check is for free. The only time you pay is if something needs doing, I only had to do this the first time I used the offer because the valve wouldn't close after they checked the system. Only cost £25 to get fixed (admitedly 5 years ago) and was the first time the car had an aircon service by which time the car was 5 years old.

If the smell persists after the filter change, set the system to recirculate with all internal vents open and blower on. Give a good blast of (antibacterial) Neutradol aerosol into the footwells and shut the door ASAP. Leave for a few minutes to circulate.

Repeat if necessary. Worked for my Passat. And cheaper than the "professional" stuff.

Edited 17 January, 201115 yr by gregoir

thanks all for the responses.

Strangely the smell went after I gave the car a good wash!! (must of been something on the radiator possibly)

I do have a pollen filter so I'm going to change that and hadn't heard of Air con deoderser so I'm going to try that out too.

Little tip (i do car detailing so you learn a few things) once you have changed the pollen filter squirt this down the vents the full can follow the instructions on the can it does work, when i got my 5 series 2 years ago they changed all filters at BMW but there was still a smell nothing huge but not fresh so emptied a whole can down the centre vents and the smell had instantly gone highly recommended.

Klima Cleaner

Newbie Here,

check this out - http://www.btinternet.com/~a_hutton/aircon_smell.pdf