What can I do to make this stop smelling like old stale water/dust/icky?
Everyone says "Run it more." doesnt help.
some say turn it off when you shut off the car, helps a little, but not really.
Anyone have any solutions for me? thanks!

 

Have you changed the cabin filter lately (or ever)?

 

Nope.

How much do they cost?
can I get them anywhere?
instal difficulty?

=]

 

Looked it up already, thanks! I will do that today, and let you know if it worked tomorrow.

 

I'm planning on ordering cabin filters for both of our MINIs from RockAuto.com - they have the activated-charcoal one for around $15 each. Here's a video of how to remove/install the filter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT-k8nf-OMU

 

Thanks a lot!
I am going to go check down at autozone or something.
I know that rockauto I will get a better deal, but this is something I really want fixed now.
it is getting hot hot in utah.

 

That's understandable. I've only used the a/c a couple times so far this year and have been forgetting to order them. Thanks to your thread I finally went and ordered them. $35 shipped for two... I think I'd pay that much for just one of them at the dealer.

 

Yup!
What a great instant fix!

When I pulled out my old one, the last owner apparently put like.. Acorn nut shells? and dried out plants (smell good plants) on top of the filter. and they were probably in there for multiple years, so it was pretty stinky.
Thank you so much though, that was something i REALLY needed to get rid of.
Paid $22 at NAPA, worth it to be able to use my AC without choking =]