Having just replaced the temperature evaparator sensor in the Fabia's air conditioning system today was the first day where the temperature was high enough to allow it to operate & for me to test it.

The good news is that it works...yay !

The bad news is that it has that horrible musty smell often associated with air conditioning systems due to lack of use .

The smell is there because of mould build up on the evaparator due to dampness occassioned by lack of use and it not being it not being "dried" before switching off.

I subscribe to the theory that when using aircon it's wise before fully switching it off to switch off the aircon but leave the fans running for about five minutes so as to dry the cold evaparator plate and prevent condensation / dampness which in turn encourages the mould that creates the musty smell.

I've always done this in my Golf and never had any problems.

Anyway, the Fabia's aircon probably stopped working due to the aforementioned sensor fault and now stinks!

To combat this today I removed the pollen filter (which despite a full Skoda service history looked like it had never been replaced before) and then I replaced the filter bracket again but without a filter in it. I started the car, switched on the aircon & blower to full & sprayed copious quantities of mildew cleaner in the fan air intake in front of the windscreen.

I then switched off the ignition and left it for an hour, the theory being that sufficient amounts of mildew cleaner would make it into the system to kill off all the smelly mould.

I started the car again and ran the blower on full without the aircon on for a further 15 minutes & then switched it off & replaced the pollen filter with a new one. The result is that for the moment the Fabia has a slight whiff of "eau de swimming pool" about it but in time this should hopefully disappear leaving an odour free system.

All I've got to do now is educate SWMBO how to use it properly so as not to create the same problem again & that might be the biggest challenge yet !

You must always use it. Probably why it packed in

Why don't you use it in the winter too??

Air con is great for demisting windows, put the heater on hot, turn the recirculate off and bang the air con on, it takes no time at all to demist then.

yeah, I have mine on all the time... best thing you can do to keep it in top condition.....

Hi to All

This is the first week in ages that the temperature has got high enough to allow the aircon to operate. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the Fabia aircon pump is a variable compressor that actually runs at around 2% when the system is off meaning it does not need running regualrly anyway as it is on slightly all the time the engine is running. Cant remember where I read it.

Chris

Why don't you use it in the winter too?? .

He had a fault with the evap temp sensor so the a/c wasnt working thats why he didnt use it (was mentioned in his post).

There are a few cans that you can get to freshen it up. Usually I set the recirc on and set if off in the footwell.

So is the general concensus here that you should use it regularly or theres no need as it runs at 2% as mentioned in Chris GB's post?

If the first option then whats classed as regular? I get really anal about this sort of stuff so lie to know exactly how many minutes and exactly how often

Its allways circulating the a/c system but not 'working' as such.

I thought that below 5 (?) degrees C, the aircon does not work to prevent the pump being damaged

The "ac" button (with the fan on) will still light up even if the outside temperature display indicates that is below the temperature stated above.

Should you leave the "ac" button lit up all year (except the last five minute of a journey in order to dry the system)?

I had a go at the garage last time about my pollen filter, because I thought it was filthy just after it had been serviced. The mechanic pointed out that it was black because it was a carbon filter, not just an ordinary paper one!

My pollen filter was a paper one and not a black carbon one but when I removed it half a forrest of shredded dried leaves and enough assorted bits of insects to keep an entomologist busy for years fell out with it !:eek:

It was so clogged I'm surprised any air at all was able to pass through it !

I very much doubt if it's ever been changed before in the life the car ! :(

my economy drops rapidly if i use it all the time, so i use it quite literally once every 3 months or so. is this bad?

He had a fault with the evap temp sensor so the a/c wasnt working thats why he didnt use it (was mentioned in his post).

There are a few cans that you can get to freshen it up. Usually I set the recirc on and set if off in the footwell.

Appoligies there then, I don't know what one of them is I'm afraid, I wasn't having a go at anyone. I just thought people should know that aircon is great in winter too.

Appoligies there then, I don't know what one of them is I'm afraid, I wasn't having a go at anyone.

No worries mate, I didn't take it as "having a go" at all & I didn't know "what one of them is" (Evaporator Temperature Sender) either before Vag Com mentioned it to me !

T.B.H. you don't really want to have find out, believe me !

On the subject, is a symptom of the evap sensor poor aircon performance? Mine isn't exactly blasting icy air nor does it instantly demist windows . .. just wondering if it's either the gas level or something else?

On the subject, is a symptom of the evap sensor poor aircon performance? Mine isn't exactly blasting icy air nor does it instantly demist windows . .. just wondering if it's either the gas level or something else?

When my sensor packed up, it worked intermittently (mainly at night when the outside temp was cooler) so I had no icy air at all. I assumed the car just needed a regas - which apparently it did - but you really need it attached to VAG-COM to find out if there's a problem.

I was told the air con system should be "serviced" every couple of years to keep it in tip top condition. Mine is always switched on as it helps to keep the system lubricated, although I don't think it works when outside temperature is under 5 deg C........

Chris