Hi 

 

I have got a 2016 Octavia, when I turn on my air blowers on, it smells like a damp sock and also my car seams to steams up really easily.  Has anyone got ideas?

 

So far I replace the pollen filter (nothing wrong with filter and no signs of damp.

I have left my car running for 2 hours heaters on full with full heat.

 

I have found that if I turn my aircon on it clears the smell and clears the windows, as soon as you turn the aircon off the smell is back 

 

Any help is mush appreciated.

 

Thankjs Kev

Leave the aircon on all the time ,its also a dehumidyfier to keep the interior dry ,otherwise your just blowing warm dampish air about .

Suggest you check for wet/damp carpets. Any water in the spare wheel well?

7 minutes ago, Mickvrs220 said:

Leave the aircon on all the time ,its also a dehumidyfier to keep the interior dry ,otherwise your just blowing warm dampish air about .

Thanks I will look at doing that, won't it use a lot of fuel if I do that

8 minutes ago, ords said:

Suggest you check for wet/damp carpets. Any water in the spare wheel well?

Thanks the inside of my car is completely dry 

Are you losing any water?

1 minute ago, ords said:

Are you losing any water?

No I am not

Quite a common problem. As mentioned by others, likely that the ventilation system has water in it that has gone stagnant over time. Most likely cause is not running the air con regularly enough. Some say have it running all the time, I probably run it about 70 -80% of the time, all year round.

 

My fix ( gleaned from this very forum ) was to take it for a 20 -30 min run up the motorway, air con on, set temp to MAX and crack the windows open a bit, it will get very hot in the car. This should evaporate all the stagnant water from the system.

 

Afterwards invest in an Air Con Bomb and follow instructions on the can. After a couple of weeks the perfume from the bomb should have disappeared and hopefully you ventilation will smell all good again. 

 

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/go4-auto-go4-air-con-cleaner-150ml-552777691

 

 

Edited 31 May, 20233 yr by Gammyleg
I can't spell.

1 hour ago, Kevster79 said:

No I am not

 

It's okay - we don't judge on here 😁

 

I think the answer is as others have alluded to, but just a heads up that some VAG cars can appear dry inside, but the water can collect under the carpet, between the floor pan and (or in) the sound deadening.  Mk1 Superb's were notorious for it - the car appeared dry, but could hide gallons (literally) in the footwells.

 

My Octavia got a bit musty, once or twice.  The Aircon Bomb Gammyleg suggested resolved it both times (albeit I used a Comma version).

 

Gaz

Edited 31 May, 20233 yr by Gaz

31 minutes ago, Gaz said:

The Aircon Bomb Gammyleg suggested resolved it both times (albeit I used a Comma version).

 

The Bomb link that I posted was an example, can't remember which product I used but I got it from Euro Car Parts and the cost was similar. Important that you do the drying of the air con system BEFORE you use the bomb or the pong will continue. 

Yes you should leave the ac on everytime your closet your Windows. Mine is always on Auto. It will dry the air in the car. The fuel consumption doesn't change a lot, for me it is insignificant. On the highway at 130 km/h I an between 7.1 and 7.8 l/100.

Do that, change your filter every year and use an a cleaning kit and you will be good