When I put my air con on after a few mins it’s absolutely stinks and then when turned off it lingers for a few minutes then gone again. 

 

Any ideas? Help please !!!!

Bacteria build up?  Wasn’t actually aware this would be an issue on the MK3 as the AC is always on (well, when the climate kicks it in anyway)?

Ok so what would be the cure? Empty and refill? Or am

i screwed?

Do you switch it off in winter? Or is the car not used that frequently? It's common for bacteria to gather if either of the above apply.

 

Get an Aircon bomb and run it through the system - they are only a tenner or so. You can also get sprays which you can spray into the vents which should help too. 

 

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/car-cleaning-accessories/car-interior-cleaners/air-con-cleaner/?NOR2897300&0&cc5_101

 

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/car-cleaning-accessories/car-interior-cleaners/air-con-cleaner/?NOR2897300100&0&cc5_101

Thanks for that. I’ll give them a try out. I’ve not turned it off it just doesn’t come on unless I turn it on. Maybe in winter I’ll have to give it a run to make sure I’m not getting the build up. I’ll give the bits at europarts a try :-) 

Make sure you replace the pollen filter before you set off the bomb, ideally giving the filter housing a wipe down with some dettol or similar antibacterial agent. Let it dry, put the new filter in and off you go.

19 minutes ago, cheezemonkhai said:

Make sure you replace the pollen filter before you set off the bomb...

 

Sound advice.

 

It was a blocked pollen filter (and not the AC) that caused the stink in one of my Roomsters.

43 minutes ago, Robjon said:

 

Sound advice.

 

It was a blocked pollen filter (and not the AC) that caused the stink in one of my Roomsters.

Thank you very much, got everything for £22 from europarts will pick it up tomorrow and do the job, once pollen filter was mentioned I thought hmm it may be the filter. 

 

Great advice everyone thankyou, will update once I’ve cleaned the filter and dropped the bomb haha

I had the same issue after ~3-years of Octy ownership. An airbomb and new cabin filter resolved matters nicely.

11 minutes ago, Orville said:

I had the same issue after ~3-years of Octy ownership. An airbomb and new cabin filter resolved matters nicely.

Mine is the same age, must just be a thing I’m guessing. Glad it’s a fix I can do myself. Hate paying for something to be fixed that I could do myself . I’ve bought a filter the bomb and the ac cleaner aswell, but will do the filter and bomb first 

You should leave the AC button in the "on" position even in the winter as when it is activated it also dehumidifies the air (even though "cooling" is not required.

This helps keep the air vents free from moisture & also prevents misting when starting the car on cold days.

 

The system is controlled by the climate unit so the cooling is only activated when its required.

Ok so the air con button should be on all the time ? Does that not mean it’s active all the time? 

7 minutes ago, A18kny said:

Ok so the air con button should be on all the time ? Does that not mean it’s active all the time? 

Apparently so..... on my old car I only really used it in the summer regularly and in the winter just to de-mist  but according to the car status page, having the air con on doesn't affect fuel consumption so there's no real reason not to have it on

12 minutes ago, A18kny said:

Ok so the air con button should be on all the time ? Does that not mean it’s active all the time? 

 

Yes I leave mine "on" all the time but I don't believe it's on all the time as per other comments. This is how I have mine and no smells from the Aircon.

If its super-stinky, some companies offer a much more in-depth version of the "Bomb" That uses a smoke machine, filled with anti-bacterial cleaner, or "Fog" that fills the whole system, along with the cars cabin, with cleaning fumes. After around 15 mins, you then open doors etc and it should be good. Costs around £25-£30 though.   (I do this myself). 

mine smells a bit cheesy, initially i put the stench down to the kids. Where is the pollen filter located? might give this a try.

 

Thanks

2 hours ago, Banjaminion said:

mine smells a bit cheesy, initially i put the stench down to the kids. Where is the pollen filter located? might give this a try.

 

Thanks

 

Behind the glovebox. You have to remove the glovebox lid to access it - which can be a pain if you're not familiar with the procedure, especially regarding the damper.

I you tubed a video and seems pretty straight forward. I’m going for the filter and bomb and if it doesn’t work then smoke bomb it is haha

4 hours ago, A18kny said:

Ok so the air con button should be on all the time ? Does that not mean it’s active all the time? 

 

You should leave the button "on" all the time.

The activation of the compressor & need for cooling etc is determined by the climate control ECU.

The system is activated when cooling is needed or if it detects high humidity etc & all other times it will be off.

 

In the infotainment unit (Car->Consumers menu) or in the maxidot you can view the load generated by the air conditioning system.

You can see when there is no cooling/conditioning required there is no power consumption for the system.

19 hours ago, SC03OTT said:

Bacteria build up?  Wasn’t actually aware this would be an issue on the MK3 as the AC is always on (well, when the climate kicks it in anyway)?

Depends how you have the system set up.  Not everyone has it set to auto

28 minutes ago, ords said:

Not everyone has it set to auto

Why wouldn't you have it on auto? I've left the air con in auto on every car I've had with climate control - which is since 1999.

53 minutes ago, SWBoy said:

Why wouldn't you have it on auto? I've left the air con in auto on every car I've had with climate control - which is since 1999.

 

This. It's the whole point of having it! Very rarely moves from 20c auto in mine.

New pollen filter today and set off the bomb, smells amasing, also did the cleaner to to make sure. All seems very good so far

I've always avoided using AC due to additional power load affecting mpg. I know the AC is designed to be left on auto ideally.

 

Does anyone know the effect on mpg - obviously depends how much cooling its doing but the sort of range?

 

I've heard talk of the car using the alternator as additional braking so its recharged from free kinetic energy and not directly from burning fuel in the engine. This would be great if true but if this does happen is it on all Oct IIIs?

Mine is 2015 model from Dec 14.

I’m pretty sure it effects our mpg, as when your in driving data and stick the ac on then fuel usage goes up. I’m the same I use A.C. but not often. Would rather have the little extra power,