not stinks as in i hate it, but literally, stinks!

i cant describe the smell...its not like a dead animal or anything (if even possible) its just some weird smell, i have no clue what to say to describe it, but when i turn the air on, it smells horrible. is there any filter or anything that i have to change maybe? anyone got ANY idea's, i gotta fix this, its getting on my nerves fast.

 

Mine used to get that too, especially with the recycled air on. Get the filter(s) changed.

 

Mine only does that when I turn on the A/C for the first time of the day other than that it's fine and other days it will smell like mint when I turn it on, by the way where is the carbon filter?

 

Try running the A/C with the temperature turned up (that might dry out the smell). Otherwise, replace the cabin filter. AutoZone carries the Bosch brand.

 

Yep must be the filter, if it's never been changed and you have an older Mini it's going to look nasty .

 

How do I change this, I'm going to autozone tomorow to get a bosch one lol.

 

It's under the glove box, very easy.

 

Ok I think I know what ur talkin about.

 

http://www.micronair.us/Cooper/35

Remove cover, slide out old, slide in new, replace cover. Very simple. It only bends one way though!

 

I don't know if this is true or not, but I have heard that if you run it on recirculate a lot it can cause condensation to build up in the ductwork (esp when it's very hot outside), grow mold and start stinking. If changing the filter doesn't work, maybe it could be this.

 

man i really hope its just the filter lol...and its always hot out when i use the air, i live in florida lol

 

It's the filter.

 

This could happen, but check that filter first. They do make sprays that you can use, and suck it up through the outside air inlets. Sanitizes the duct and evap. coil.

 

It probably is just the filter, so definitely change that and see if it gets better.

I used to live in FL, so I know how it is. My Mom still lives in S FL (hot and humid all the time) and her a/c in her Accord started stinking bad after a while (like something dead), and my father's friend who is a master mechanic checked everything out and said it was mildew, yuck! She almost always kept the auto a/c on recirc, so I'm guessing the super cold ducts created lots of moisture being in that heat and humidity since the condensation couldn't evaporate as quickly with the outside air vent closed all the time. I'm not sure how she took care of it, but it sure was a terrible stench!

 

when i go to autozone, do i just ask them for an airfilter for my mini and theyll know what i need? how much do they run?

 

Tell them you need a cabin air filter. The charcoal unit is abot $30.00, the particulate is about $25.00. Get the charcoal one. If you ask nicely, they might change it for you.

 

i saw where it goes, and theyre out of stock for the charcoal, cant order it either (right now)

im gonna check napa tomorow.

the smell kinda got better too, i ran it for a few minutes with the heat up, maybe im just imagining things...lol

 

Could a clogged filter cause my AC to cut out when at idle ? my AC seems to cut out and the ligt flashes when I'm idleing.

 

Best way to avoid this problem is to switch the ac off about 10 minutes before you get where you are going and just let the system "dry out" by leaving the fan on. Mildew forms because everything just stays wet and never gets a chance to evaporate. Of course, once you have the mildew, this procedure is not going to have any effect...now you have to physically remove the mould...good luck!

 

It is sometimes normal for a weird smell to occur when you first turn it on. If the smell persists, it is most likely mold, which could be in the vents, on the evaporator, or even the consensation tubes.

 

well this sucks.

i ordered the charcoal filter from autozone, then they say that the company they get it from cancelled the order.

now i need to go back to autozone and get my 30 bux back.

 

So....NO FILTER FOR YOU! Sounds like vendor problems on the filters-hopefully they will find another vendor soon. Have you tried CarQuest, or Pep Boys?

Has anyone tried any kind of duct cleaner-like something you might use to clean the lint trap in your dryer??? I wonder if that will work???

 

Odor problems usually do not emminate from the ducts in cars. It's usually mold on the evaporator coils. The smell of the initial blast of hot air when you first turn it on will generally not improve from brushing the ducts, unless you have dropped a hotdog or something into them. In which case, a very strong vacuum cleaner would probably be better.

 

lol @ the hotdog.

i do need to check pepboys, i need to see if NAPA can order me one also.

i hope its not mold in the ducts or anything complicated to clean/fix...it prally is just the filter, hasent been changed since stock most likely, and its got 20k miles on it now (2004)

 

I picked up a Bosch replacement from autozone too. But it looks nothing like the OEM one. Sliding it in feels kinda flimsy. Which way should the air flow arrow point?

Also has anyone tried the Purolator cabin filter? It's not charcoal though.