hey all, help me figure out the culprit. Only when first started my 03 r50 has this smell coming thru the vents that is mildew or mold like. I have already replaced the cabin air filter, and sprayed thru the vents some lysol. any ideas what it is, where it lurks, and how to get rid of it?

 

hmmm- i wonder if you have the same problem as me... does it seem stronger if you roll the windows down or up?

 

heres the thread to my post...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2850970

 

Have you changed the Cabin Filter lately?? Change the one on our 2003 Mini every 12k miles.

 

Reading is fundamental - the OP clearly stated that he had changed the cabin air filter.

Have you checked the AC drain tube for blockage?

 

There have been a lot of folks that have had problems with critters getting into the vents. You might want to check to make sure something didn't crawl in and die.

 

rhawth, i think you are onto something, its not critter related, and its not the filter, so how does one go about checking the ac drain tube, cleaning, it, whatever?

 

I had a "dirty sock" smell that would flood the cabin on my wife's BMW 530 last year the first time the AC was turned on and found that this is a common problem with many many different manufacturers. Just google any car manufacturer's name + "AC smell" and you will see many posts. Doesn't matter if it is Roll Royce, BMW, Mercedes etc. It is an industry-wide problem and it is explained in the link below.

The cause is that the fins on the evaporator coil (the cold coil in the car) are closer together now to keep the size down and they don't drain as well as they used to. If you are unluckly enough for a mold or mildew to take hold
it is hard to get rid of it.

I finally found a way and it totally removed the smell and it has not come back. Check out this link for a company that makes a product to eliminate this http://www.airsept.com/

It was not cheap but it was totally effective. It is simply the luck of the draw which cars get it and which don't. Check the AC drain pan to make sure it is not holding moisture that can lead to this. If it is not a plugged drain pan it is more than likely mold. mildew or bacteria that has taken hold. Good luck!!

 

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One other thing you might check is the rubber one way drain that is in the well below the anti lock brake mech. Some times the heat shield under the car pinches the valve shut. Underneath the car its placed about where your passengers left foot might be. (this is where your air conditioner drains) you'll probably still have to run a fungicide of some sort through the vents to kill off the smell.
My car had the same problem five years ago, but I haven't had a problem since.

Good luck!

 

I've not noticed any condensate dripping from under my car at all after I run the A/C so I'm going to check this valve today for blockage. I have a slight smell coming from the vents, cabin air filter is getting changed today as well. I did notice that the heat shield was bent from someone servicing the oil filter and bashing it.

 

If you don't find any blockage, get some DampRid from the store. My aunt swears by it to get rid of damp/musty smells in homes.

 

Forget the car, I'm looking into that for my basement, thanks.