F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+) MINI Cooper and Cooper S (F55/F56) hatchback discussions.

F55/F56 Bad air smell

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-12-2015, 07:47 AM
minipumpkin's Avatar
minipumpkin
minipumpkin is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bad air smell

Hi all,

Does anyone have any problems with the air smell? I took my 2014 hardtop in 3 times, and currently it's in there again for this issue. They contacted mini USA twice about this and still no fix. I was thinking about lemoning my car, but not sure what the process is in Florida or if it's even worth it.. Help!
 
  #2  
Old 04-12-2015, 08:25 AM
photoboi's Avatar
photoboi
photoboi is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ft lauderdale Beach
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
eat less beans ! .........LOL I'm kidding sorry it was wide open....... but the smell is florida ! sorry again.....
 
  #3  
Old 04-12-2015, 11:46 AM
siriuszero's Avatar
siriuszero
siriuszero is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 1,599
Received 40 Likes on 31 Posts
Originally Posted by minipumpkin
Hi all,

Does anyone have any problems with the air smell? I took my 2014 hardtop in 3 times, and currently it's in there again for this issue. They contacted mini USA twice about this and still no fix. I was thinking about lemoning my car, but not sure what the process is in Florida or if it's even worth it.. Help!
What kind of smell? Like a moldy, damp smell?
Do you normally have the A/C on or do you adamantly keep it off?
Do you have auto climate control or manual? Do you have air recirculation on or off?

There was a bulletin a while ago for Hardtops for cabin air filters - have they looked at those?
 

Last edited by siriuszero; 04-12-2015 at 11:52 AM. Reason: edited wording
  #4  
Old 04-12-2015, 04:27 PM
craigsix's Avatar
craigsix
craigsix is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: overland park ks.
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
ive got a dead marmut on the side of my house!
 
  #5  
Old 04-12-2015, 04:30 PM
Sailorlite's Avatar
Sailorlite
Sailorlite is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 251
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Any local air conditioning shop should be able to take care of this. If your dealer can't seem to get it corrected under warranty, maybe they should sub it out to the a/c specialist. I bet the problem's not uncommon there, but the Mini factory might be reluctant to pay the dealer to diagnose and repair.
 
  #6  
Old 04-12-2015, 08:07 PM
jmeryllman's Avatar
jmeryllman
jmeryllman is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I had the same problem and took it to my dealership. After looking at it, they ordered the2 AC filters. Gave me a loaner and after receiving and installing the the filters, no more problem.
 
  #7  
Old 04-14-2015, 08:06 AM
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
ECSTuning is online now
Platinum Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wadsworth, Ohio
Posts: 34,808
Received 1,966 Likes on 1,766 Posts
Yea,


Check the cabin filter, get the active charcoal one for the auto air conditioning system. Help with the smells. Its impregnated with charcoal to help with absorb the damp smell

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64119321875/

64119321875

 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
  #8  
Old 04-14-2015, 08:22 AM
minipumpkin's Avatar
minipumpkin
minipumpkin is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all! My car is currently at MINI right now, so if it comes out again and smells I will have to take it to an AC specialist. I shouldn't have to pay for something if I have warranty! It's frustrating because I'm in Florida and I need my AC in this heat! What's the point of buying a new car when 90 % of the time it's in the shop?
 
  #9  
Old 04-15-2015, 04:50 PM
CooperB's Avatar
CooperB
CooperB is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Georgia
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by minipumpkin
Hi all,

Does anyone have any problems with the air smell?
Check out this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...foul-odor.html

I had/have the same issue. It goes away after the A/C has been running a while. When I take mine in for the first oil change I am going to bring this issue up with the dealer once again. Good info in the thread above -- your not alone.
 
  #10  
Old 04-15-2015, 06:14 PM
minipumpkin's Avatar
minipumpkin
minipumpkin is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So mini USA informed me that currently they are in the process of making a new evaporator, but do not have a date of when it will be finished. They are going to give me my stinky car back until they make it. WTF! I refuse to drive around my car, nor should I even have to!
 
  #11  
Old 04-23-2015, 06:42 AM
CooperB's Avatar
CooperB
CooperB is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Georgia
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Just had my routine oil change completed yesterday. When I checked in I advise of the foul smell and was told within 60 seconds of an open TSB on this. Tech checked the car and verified it was included in the TSB. Dealer had to order parts, expected in 3-5 days and I'll have to take the car back and leave it with the dealer for 2 days. My advisor was reading over the TSB and advise it was quite a job -- offered a loaner on the spot but I declined, would rather wait for the parts to arrive and then be without my car for 2 days than have a loaner for a full week.

I don't have the TSB or the number -- could not get it out of my advisor and I can't find anything online regarding it but at least our dealer stories match up and there is a fix available.
 
  #12  
Old 04-23-2015, 06:48 AM
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
ECSTuning is online now
Platinum Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wadsworth, Ohio
Posts: 34,808
Received 1,966 Likes on 1,766 Posts
If you get the TSB post it up. Most of the time on older cars its the active carbon filter thats needed.
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
  #13  
Old 04-23-2015, 06:58 AM
CooperB's Avatar
CooperB
CooperB is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Georgia
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
If you get the TSB post it up. Most of the time on older cars its the active carbon filter thats needed.
Will do. He read parts of the TSB to me... something about the lining of the evaporator coil was holding water and causing mildew to build-up and grow.
 
  #14  
Old 04-23-2015, 06:35 PM
Bnutz78's Avatar
Bnutz78
Bnutz78 is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had my evaporator replaced earlier this week. Was on back order for a month. They said it a faulty coating on the housing or something like that from what I recall. Smell is gone.
 
  #15  
Old 04-23-2015, 11:03 PM
lsmith42's Avatar
lsmith42
lsmith42 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good to know we're not imagining this...
 
  #16  
Old 04-24-2015, 03:59 AM
Rocket_man's Avatar
Rocket_man
Rocket_man is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 288
Received 8 Likes on 5 Posts
My wife reports this on her car as well. Good to know there is a fix. I'd also like to get a copy of the TSB.
 
  #17  
Old 04-24-2015, 09:53 AM
hotrunner's Avatar
hotrunner
hotrunner is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The True North Strong and Free
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
May I ask, what Year and Model is everyone having A/C Smell with ?
Thank you
 
  #18  
Old 04-24-2015, 11:21 AM
lsmith42's Avatar
lsmith42
lsmith42 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2014 F56 non-S
 
  #19  
Old 04-24-2015, 01:58 PM
TX1911fan's Avatar
TX1911fan
TX1911fan is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I'm having it now with my 2015 F56S. Going to call and see if my local dealership will get me scheduled.
 
  #20  
Old 04-24-2015, 02:04 PM
hotrunner's Avatar
hotrunner
hotrunner is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The True North Strong and Free
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What about 2015 F56 ?
 
  #21  
Old 04-24-2015, 03:59 PM
siriuszero's Avatar
siriuszero
siriuszero is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 1,599
Received 40 Likes on 31 Posts
From what I recall, it was certain F56s and F55s produced from 2014 to March of 2015. It had to do with a defective coating on the AC evaporator that would allow bacteria to form, resulting in a damp smell when the AC came on.
 
  #22  
Old 04-24-2015, 06:30 PM
hotrunner's Avatar
hotrunner
hotrunner is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The True North Strong and Free
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks !
 
  #23  
Old 05-16-2015, 09:29 AM
JS24's Avatar
JS24
JS24 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tinley Park, IL
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bnutz78
I had my evaporator replaced earlier this week. Was on back order for a month. They said it a faulty coating on the housing or something like that from what I recall. Smell is gone.
Had my car at the dealership this week and as soon as I told them about the smell they told me they'd have to order a evaporator. Luckily only took 2 days to arrive.
 
  #24  
Old 05-25-2015, 08:59 PM
JohnBLZ's Avatar
JohnBLZ
JohnBLZ is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 809
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have the same issue...smells like two week old musty fish when I crank up with air (no ac on) after the MINI has been sitting.
 
  #25  
Old 05-26-2015, 06:24 AM
the901's Avatar
the901
the901 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 135
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by hotrunner
What about 2015 F56 ?
I started noticing it on my 2015 about a few days ago.
 


Quick Reply: F55/F56 Bad air smell



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:31 PM.