Changed cabin air / pollen filter - check.

 

Used 'comma' air con cleaner bomb (following instructions re. recirc. etc) to the letter - check.

 

Blasted TWO cans of dettol antibacterial spray (mountain mist scent) through the air intake above the bonnet through the vents and into the cabin, and sprayed up into pollen filter slot, and pollen filter itself - as suggested on t'internet - check

 

However the AIR from the vents is still a bit smelly.

 

When i switch the air con on, it smells fine (well, it smells like that comma air con bomb, but anyway)

 

But when I just have the vents on 'air' - still a slight urine / old sock smell.

 

Any other suggestions plz?

 

Are there any easily accessible ducts, places where things get trapped, blocked I should look?

 

Air filter change?

 

More major problem with the air con?

 

Cheers

 

 

Give this a go as it worked for me 2 weeks ago.

 

Turn the AC on and have it in recirc mode.

 

Set it to full heat with the fan on full for about 10 minutes (keep the windows down to stop you passing out!)

 

Set it to freezing cold and keep on full whack for another 10 minutes.

 

Tell me if it works! Mine stunk before this now its fine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just to conclude this story (like anyone cares)

 

Doing this (though varying between having it on / off recirc mode, having the vents open and closed) has done the trick.

 

'Honest John' reckons the cause in these instances is condensation inside various ducts etc, in which bacteria grow, causing the smell.

 

The heat (and rapid change to cold) kills the bacteria and the ehat dries out the ducting.

 

So in this instance nothign to do with the air con (which makes sense as the smell disappeared when the air con was on)

 

Apparently the air con itself can give a similar smell when bacteria get in and around the condenser, or the drain / pipe etc.

 

I think in my case the problem was partly caused by the car sitting a lot in early / mid summer (was riding the bike to work a lot).

 

So I broke my own rule i.e. knowing that cars don't like sitting on the driveway and not being driven.

Edited 4 August, 201411 yr by teutonic

Give this a go as it worked for me 2 weeks ago.

 

Turn the AC on and have it in recirc mode.

 

Set it to full heat with the fan on full for about 10 minutes (keep the windows down to stop you passing out!)

 

Set it to freezing cold and keep on full whack for another 10 minutes.

 

Tell me if it works! Mine stunk before this now its fine!

 

Just to conclude this story (like anyone cares)

 

Doing this (though varying between having it on / off recirc mode, having the vents open and closed) has done the trick.

 

'Honest John' reckons the cause in these instances is condensation inside various ducts etc, in which bacteria grow, causing the smell.

 

The heat (and rapid change to cold) kills the bacteria and the heat dries out the ducting.

 

So in this instance nothign to do with the air con (which makes sense as the smell disappeared when the air con was on)

 

Apparently the air con itself can give a similar smell when bacteria get in and around the condenser, or the drain / pipe etc.

 

I think in my case the problem was partly caused by the car sitting a lot in early / mid summer (was riding the bike to work a lot).

 

So I broke my own rule i.e. knowing that cars don't like sitting on the driveway and not being driven.

Edited 4 August, 201411 yr by teutonic