Musty smell from A/C

[Gonein60sec]

Hi,

My A/C started smelling musty every time I start the car for about a minute.
What is the procedure to fix this issue?

Thanks

[Crazykoh]

I'm in the same boat and have been meaning to post the question. I have the feeling it needs an air filter change.

[idgam]

I used to get this occasionally in my F10. I believe it is due moisture build up somewhere near the filters.

The fix that worked for me was to run the air conditioning on full power on the hottest setting for 5 minutes then on the coolest setting for 5 minutes.

I always have the air conditioning on now even for heat as it stops the car fogging up and stops the smell occurring.

[hyde]

I had this problem with my E70 after 1st year, never had a chance to turn on the A/C (cold air) in my F15 so I can't comment but I have a scary suspicion that F15's A/C will not be blowing cold enough, that dash gets super hot really fast. Does leather dash help?

[Doanster]

Classic mold/mildew smells from the A/C condenser. If you always use full Auto mode for the HVAC, then you will never have an issue as the A/C is always running, even in the winter. Serves to dehumidify the cabin and prevent/quickly alleviate fogging of the windows.
Only way to truly get rid of the smells is to clean the condenser. I've used 1Z (Einzett) Klima Cleaner with good results. As our F15s are under warranty, it'd be a good question to ask the dealer whether they can take care of this under warranty. They use a similar technique to clean...

[artem123]

Replace cabin air filter to get rid of misty smell. BMW does it under maintenance plan.

[Mako]

This is a big problem I the Midwest. Leaving it on all the time is the best answer, even when you have all windows open, just put it on low.

My old Mercedes C63 had this problem even when I did that and I had to fight with Mercedes to clean it for free, they finally did and smell was gone, for a year at least. The tech even told me Mercedes used cheap parts in their c class AC units and didn't take high humidity regions into account. Never had this issue in my 335 or X3 and had those for a while now, but like I said we have the AC on all the time.

[MattBianco]

Generally does not happen to cars in low humidity environments, but it can. I have never had it happen to any of my cars (knock on wood). It could be luck, or this procedure I was told years ago by a an old mechanic. If you run AC, always turn it off about 5 min before you get to your destination but keep the fan running to dry out condensation in the system.

What you have is mold/mildew. Especially unpleasant if anyone in your family has a mold allergy.


Products and Procedures (first also recommends the procedure I mentioned above):

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

If you run AC, always turn it off about 5 min before you get to your destination but keep the fan running to dry out condensation in the system.

This is exactly what I've always done. The absolute best feature my old XC90 had was that it recognized when the A/C had been used. Ten mins after the car was parked, it would automatically turn the fans on for 15mins to dry out the system. It was called the After Blow feature. Never had a smell in ten years of ownership! Being in Oregon, I never kept the system in full auto mode either. Just used A/C when needed so I definitely appreciated this feature.

[kkakonn]

I realize the smell more when I have the air set higher than 74 degrees for cold air. When I get it down to 68 or so it goes away

[mlroman]

I'm posting hoping this will help someone with a similar issue and prevent numerous hours of searching through the internet with no results. I own a 550i Gt and have been fighting for many months with what I though was bad odor coming from the AC. Its a smell that I can only describe as being similar to a wet dog or dirty rag. After months, I finally discovered that it wasn't coming from my AC after all. I was sitting in my vehicle after a heavy rainfall one day and didn't smell anything at all even after having turned on the air. Upon opening the sunroof screen, not the actual window, I was hit with the smell. I closed it, the smell was gone after a few seconds. Opened it again, it returned. I started searching up in the sunroof and discovered a thick layer of mold looking gook alone the entire edge of the rubber that seals the sunroof glass. I cleaned this well along with everything else I could get my hands on, closed the sunroof all the way and closed the sunroof screen almost all the way. I left about 6 inches open, enough to get a good dose of Ozium air sanitizer in there and closed the screen quickly for an entire day. I must say that after a recent downpour, I no longer smell the wet dog smell at all.

[iconoclast]

Condensation in the ducts and moisture in the condenser creates this odor.

Solution:
https://www.amazon.com/einszett-9611.../dp/B0002Z2MKO

[JonM]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

If you run AC, always turn it off about 5 min before you get to your destination but keep the fan running to dry out condensation in the system.

This.

[chrisc151]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Condensation in the ducts and moisture in the condenser creates this odor.

Solution:
https://www.amazon.com/einszett-9611.../dp/B0002Z2MKO

Where is the condenser located and how do you apply the Kilma?

[iconoclast]

Through the vents. They include a 2.5/3ft hose that you insert into the vents and then inject the foam. Instructions are on the can. It's rather simple.

[CatalinP]

I would advise against inserting any foam or liquid into the vents.

The best way is to go to a special shop that does this kind of treatment using ozone generators.

[iconoclast]

This is the same method the dealer uses and many of us have been doing this for decades. When done properly it is not an issue. This is alcohol based and evaporates once you put the blower on. Follow the instructions and there will not be an issue.

[chrisc151]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

This is the same method the dealer uses and many of us have been doing this for decades. When done properly it is not an issue. This is alcohol based and evaporates once you put the blower on. Follow the instructions and there will not be an issue.

Thanks for your input on this one. As you probably know, this can be a frustrating issue.

[iconoclast]

yep. had it on a few different cars. condensation gets into the vents and condenser then you get a musty smell afterward. the dealer has cleaned it for me several times but this is easier since i do not have to schedule a visit.

[TOPEC]

i have used this product with great success

like others have mentioned i dont like the idea of spraying liquid directly into the vents. this wurth product disperses into the air and u have the ac on recirculating so it can get into the ac system and vents. works very well.

[yewlock]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

i have used this product with great success

like others have mentioned i dont like the idea of spraying liquid directly into the vents. this wurth product disperses into the air and u have the ac on recirculating so it can get into the ac system and vents. works very well.

I had been using this always with great success.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

like others have mentioned i dont like the idea of spraying liquid directly into the vents.

The HVAC deodorizing and disinfecting service the dealer charges $200+ for is the same as what I posted above. It is an alcohol based foam which evaporates. I would have reservations spraying a deodorizer into the cabin. I am not sure what that residue may do to the interior materials let alone passengers/children.



http://www.parkviewbmw.com/service-o...ing-treatment/