I'm not one to usually moan about my car or indeed the plight of the octavia but today as the outside temperatures rose I used my Aircon.

I noticed a musty smell when using the Aircon set to low temp. Usually though when I switch the Aircon button off and just let the fan circulate.

Is this a consequence of just not using the Aircon much over the winter and now it's being called upon?

It's just the bacteria sat in the system from not being used over winter. If you use an air con cleaner it will remove the smell and add a slight fragrance to it

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7

Yes, it's one of the consequences of the ac being switched off. It'll clear after a while but you can buy odour bombs from halfrauds. Set off the can when your car is parked somewhere secure and run the system for 30 minutes or so. The air freshener will circulate through the system and permeate all of the interior

I've used these quite a few times on previous cars to good effect:

 

 

Gaz

Air-con is designed be to be on all year round. My understanding also is that if you don't run it regularly, the rubber seals can perish as there is some sort of lubricant that circulates. There's little reason not to leave it on nowadays as its much more efficient than early generations.

I'd recommend 1z Klima cleaner. It has a hose that you insert into your fan assembly if you can't get to the condenser easily.

I've tried odour bombs and to be honest, they're rubbish and just mask odours, not treat the root cause. Your whole car stinks and it wears off, it doesn't clean the condenser and the bacteria out, but even the 1Z is a bit of a bodge.

Edited 6 May, 201610 yr by Mallettsmallett

Cheers

Where exactly is the evaporator in relation to the blower is it straight under or under and into the centre console - sorry posted similar thread about location weeks ago have got 1Z but worried about damaging blower fan as it looks like it has electrics exposed

Up until yesterday, my air con smelled of really strong sweaty feet.

I used an air con bomb then replaced the cabin air filter, now it smells like a new car, well worth the £13 spent and 15 minutes of my time.