My poor Camel has a problem, and I dont think it's his fault.

I have had this problem for nearly a year now, but during the winter it was not that bad.

The problem is this... when I start the car at first, or when I change from a/c to no a/c (it can be recirculate or fresh air) the air starts to stink like rotten fruit/stinky feet, until I put the a/c back on.

WHat really upsets me though is this... I could have SWORN that this smell started after some stupid used ORANGE FLAVOURED GOO GONE on my carpet to remove PHARKING CHEWING GUM . So is it me or do other people have smelly a/c's???

Does anyone know how to get rid of this ??? Anti-bacterial spray maybe????

As for my carpets, they smell fine. They just smell like dirty carpet.

Help???!

 

Do a search, this has been covered before. Basically, your best bet is to occasionally run the system in fresh air mode with the a/c off to 'dry out' the coils (usually before parking for the day) and prevent the condenstate from becoming stagnant water. Mine does this as well, as do many others.

Another 'nature of the beast' that seems to get worse at certain times of the year, like when there is a lot of pollen or damp weather.

 

Try running the heat on high for 10-15 minutes. And try to eliminate recirculation altogether.

 

Once upon a time, a neighborhood mechanic told me to just spray some Lysol in there to kill the bacteria as that is what's causing the smell. Wife's tale? Maybe. Can't hurt, though.

 

I was also advised to do that.

The service advisor also suggested that about 5 minutes before I park it, to turn the A/C off and leave the fan on to get rid of the smell-causing moisture.

 

BG Products markets a system to combat this problem. I believe it is called "Fridgi-Fresh". It is a foam that is injected in the A/C ducts that expands to fill all of the system and kill the odor causing bacteria, etc. I don't believe it is a do-it-yourself project, but may be an alternative if the problem is too severe for the "Lysol Method" to cure. Also make sure that the tube that allows the condensation to drain from your evaporator has not become clogged.

 

My Passat had this once. The smell was like wet dog, and horribly strong. The dealer flushed some Airsept (don't know if that's a VW-exclusive product?) through the system and that cleared it up.

I was told running my air on recirc too much was likely the cause.

 

Ya know, I had a loaner BMW when I took my MINI in one time, and it had that exact problem. They told me it was because someone smoked in the car, and it "settled" in the vents and caused mold or something...

I've also heard that when you use the A/C, you should turn it off and let the air run for a minute with just the fan. I don't know how accurate that is, but I've heard that not doing that can cause some mold and stuff like that.

Anyway, just some thoughts...

 

Easy........get lysol non scented turn the a/c on set it for freshair and spray into the exterior vents. This will kill any odor causing bacteria in the system.

 

Where are the exterior vents?? The one near the left hand headlight??? . jk. It's the only one I know of..... maybe might give be some hp gain tooo.....

No seriously, where are the exterior vents?

 

I had the same problem last year. Picked up some Fridgi fresh at Pep boys. Sprayed it everywhere I could think of: the inlets on the hood, the little round vents on the dash, the intake under the dash, everywhere. Must have worked, haven't smelled it since.

 

Camelpilot, There are two openings in the boot that have a sponge like material. You might want to check them I think they are part of the air recirculation. They may be dirty or have trapped the Goo-Gone smell. Good luck- George

 

My Mini does that too...

Suddenly a foul oder comes and I always want to blame it on my brother. But after reading this I am happy to have confirmation that the Mini passes gas every so often.

 

Oooohhhhh, be careful... Lysol can screw up your paint job really bad!

 

Before you go too far...

Don't know if this will help or matches your symptoms precisely, but last "stinky feet" smell I saw reported was caused by the inside air filter. Has this been replaced lately on your MINI?

 

Nope, it hasnt. The dealer claim all that stuff was checked and replaced, but I know for a fact that they are lying.