New airflow filter fitted

[adam1]

Hi just had new airflow filter for engine fitted which could have been the cause for the vibration i had earlier.

However with the aircon on the smell is quite foul. Is that the initial odour of new filter...not sure if carbon filter....should it dissaper with time..seems i need aircon at this time of year but the smell just puts me off....

Heard of similar compliants on US forum with carbon filters.

 

[teky]

Disinfectant sprays
Douglas Miske sent us an article by Cam McRae of the Toronto Star with advice on curing the a/c smell (see below). According to this article, dealers can eliminate the bacteria and other growths which cause the smell by using a disinfectant; holes may be drilled to get to hard to reach areas. Ford dealers have a new spray that is (a) less expensive than the one used by Chrysler, and much less expensive than the one used by GM; and (b) is supposed to prevent re-infestation. Do-it-yourselfers can save about $50 by buying Fresh Air from many department stores - it costs $15 (Canadian). Wynn's also sells a spray.

 

[teky]

A/C Evaporator
David Ta wrote: I am convinced the evaporator design having horizontal fins is the root cause of the AC musty/stench smell on first startup, which will fade out in a good few minutes. ... So, the real cure is to install an OEM evaporator having vertical fins to drain off the condensation, IF there is such one in the aftermarket for any model having this AC smell problem. Or you can modify your car to allow water shedding off easily. An old colleague in the office confirmed that he got this problem with all his recent cars, including Chevy, Ford, Chrysler. Every year, he mixes water and baking soda and poured it into the drain area next to the firewall, rinsing it later with a water hose.

Another option: dry up the evaporator, after every AC use, or at least daily before turning off the ignition, by simply turning up the temperature to full hot, at maximum speed, while selecting "Front Defrost" for a few minutes. You may not like this inconvenience, but comparing to that when a new evaporator is required, and the evap is out of warranty, plus the musty smell every time the "Front Defrost" is selected, I think the inconvenience is justified. (Defrost activates the air conditioner compressor on most cars). This seemed to work for me.

 

[teky]

http://uk.msnusers.com/autodatabase..._Message=640&LastModified=4675476460249824309

 

[Brian WH]

See also my thread on similar problem.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=8383

Moving to interior section as this is where Air-Con problems belong.