A/C smells like ass

**DELUX** · 09-26-2005 12:35 PM

Thanks, I'll do it today when I get home. If it doesn't fly then I'll take it down to the dealership and have them take a look at it.

**Lakaiguy** · 09-26-2005 01:33 PM

Originally posted by nitetimea4
I have had the frigi fresh treatment. It works for two days and then comes back. I've been living with this stank a/c for a while.

Another thing I did: at night (69 degree temp) I rolled down the windows and turned the heater on full blast, temp: HI and fan all the way up. I think this dried up and killed whatever mold or mildew was stinking, and ditch any air freshner you might have because I serously think that helped me because my a/c doesnt smell anymore.

**old_spool** · 09-26-2005 02:56 PM

its your balls...wash your damn balls!

and thats not mayo on your socks dude.

**DinoB** · 09-26-2005 04:01 PM

For some reason i rememeber reading somewhere that if you change the cabin filter, problem will be solved.

**AudBoost** · 09-26-2005 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Lakaiguy
It never did it until about a week ago. The pollin filter is good, and I never use the econ always outside air. WTF it stinks like 2 year old moldy gym socks soaked in mayonaise fresh out of the microwave.

Just back from the stealership today and I had the same problem. What the tech told me is that from running the A/C and just shutting it off the water condensed in the A/C system and over time grew mold. They had to spray a disinfectant in the A/C system to kill the mold, which smells worse than the mold smell. But it should go away in few days!!

To prevent the water from acumulating in the vents the tech told me to make sure I put the econ button on (and only the econ button) for a few minutes after running the A/C for a while. That should get rid of the water!!

**A4rce1** · 09-26-2005 06:49 PM

Originally posted by a4tunate
its your balls...wash your damn balls!

and thats not mayo on your socks dude.

wow. bwahahahaha

**AudBoost** · 09-26-2005 06:51 PM

For some reason i rememeber reading somewhere that if you change the cabin filter, problem will be solved.

Negative... the problem is in the A/C system at this point! Just changing the pollen filter won't cure it! The A/C system needs to have a disenfectant run through it!!

**A4nATL** · 09-27-2005 11:23 AM

It is from moisture. There is stuff you can buy at NAPA or any parts store to put in the AC system that will clean it out.

**cucubee5** · 05-25-2007 08:47 AM

i'm bringing this post back from the dead...

my car is doing the same thing. i just dropped it off at the stealership and let's see what happens

**SleeperAvant** · 05-25-2007 08:56 AM

You probably have to clean it out and just not use recirculation as often.

**AudiCVT** · 08-25-2007 12:29 PM

My B7 smells bad too. I've noticed that if the temp setting is below 70F the odor is less...if it's like 70-78 it's prime breeding temp for the mold or mildew so the smell gets stronger. Any mods out there for evaporators that can heat up and kill any mold after you turn off the a/c or something? I've read some US manufacturers that employ different schemes..

I've tried new filters, 1z clima cleaner, special odor disinfectant, etc. It comes back after a few days.

BTW, I have yet to see a drop of water out of the car's evap drain... I think it's all those "s" turns of the plumbing that's not letting the water out. Any way of drilling and installing a direct plumbing line for the evaporator out into the atmosphere?

Originally Posted by nitetimea4

I have had the frigi fresh treatment. It works for two days and then comes back. I've been living with this stank a/c for a while. now dealer tells me there is nothing they can do. I work for MB as a service advisor and I know that is bull shit. we have the same problem with 211 e-class (03-present). Mercedes actually came out with an updated evaporator with a special finish that would not allow the mold to grow on it. They got sick of paying all the warranty claims(20 hour job to replace an evap on a benz) that they came out with the Wynns treatment. Just to let you know
neither of the fixes have worked. not even replacing the evaporator core, so I know i will just have to live with the smell and treat it through fresh air intake periodically. I think of it as maintenance now! good luck.

**Pete4 1.8t** · 08-25-2007 01:46 PM

Make sure your evaporator drain isn't plugged. It's a common problem with almost all cars, the drain gets plugged and water starts to collect in the evaporator and thus comes the mold! Another symptom if it gets bad enough is for water to start dripping into one of the footwells usually the passenger one.

**a2gtinut** · 08-25-2007 01:54 PM

it won't fix it. I have access to prof. machine that kills mold. I took care of my wife's car. now it smells like new car.

**AudiCVT** · 08-25-2007 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by a2gtinut

it won't fix it. I have access to prof. machine that kills mold. I took care of my wife's car. now it smells like new car.

What's this machine you're talking about? Wynn? Some type of dry fogger? Let me know how long it lasts before you have to reapply. Also, is there a chemical disinfectant involved in this process?

**a2gtinut** · 08-25-2007 02:58 PM

I think Wynn. It is wet "fogger" that uses some kind of chemical. I got this from service engineer that works for big car manufacturer. The process took about 20minutes and smell is gone.
I have no idea how long it will last Since I was on vacation for 3 weeks and after procedure did not use AC.
All I can say that smell is gone for for about 2+ months.
I have to do the same with my B6.

**k1e1v1i1n** · 08-25-2007 04:38 PM

i know i am not helping at all but i have had so many stupid things go on with my car if it started smelling bad too i would drive it off a cliff .

**BarryT82** · 08-25-2007 04:53 PM

Mine does this too. The air smells horrible when it's blowing out of the vent. I've never smoked in my life and nobody smokes in my car.

**diagnosticator** · 08-25-2007 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lakaiguy

It never did it until about a week ago. The pollin filter is good, and I never use the econ always outside air. WTF it stinks like 2 year old moldy gym socks soaked in mayonaise fresh out of the microwave.

The smell is like mold because it is mold. To remove the mold/smell, first prepare by performing the following: Remove the pollen filter, open the windows, and cover the dash vents loosely with paper towels held by tape. Next, set the A/C in LOW temp ECON mode, and the blower speed set to medium manually. Then spay Lysol into the blower air intake, for about 10 seconds, then repeat until about 1/2 of the Lysol has been sprayed into the system. After the last spray shot, turn off the A/C completely and allow the Lysol to kill the mold. Leave the A/C OFF for at least 15 minutes. Finally, replace the pollen filter, remove the paper towels, and turn on the A/C in ECON mode and run the blower on HIGH for a couple of minutes. DONE.

Drive the car with the A/C in Auto mode, and evaluate the effectiveness of the job, repeat as necessary.

It will help if the A/C is set to ECON for a few min before parking the car, to help dry up the moisture that exists in the evaporator area that if allowed to stay wet, encourages mold regrowth in the A/C evaporator housing.

**A4TL** · 08-25-2007 05:05 PM

smell the cabin filter. i was thinking of replacing mine with regular hvac filter hepa but i'm not sure how it would handle the moisture.

audi's seem to hold alot of moisture when parked outside you get mad fogging on the windows in winter/summer humidity i know the bmw didn't have this effect (same year etc).

**PhilABowl** · 08-25-2007 09:37 PM

Gotta change all the air filters, plus get yourself some Ozium or Febreze - they eliminate odors as opposed to covering them up, crank up your AC, and spray it on your floor mats (so as not to spray your seats or dash) and let it cycle through there. Changing the filters is key - mine was stinking until the dealer replaced the filters with a regularly scheduled maintenance. And yes, it was expensive, but if you like to DIY you can save some $$$

**doublezero30** · 08-26-2007 04:58 AM

bacteria can grow inside your vents due to the condensation, which in turn can produce a nasty smell. they make vent spray stuff to kill/eliminate the odor. you can either spray it straight into your vent, or turn it on full blast and spray it into the vent thing right by the windshield that sucks outside air in. i did it at work the other day, works wonders.

**speedydragon** · 08-26-2007 05:23 AM

Lol there's always someting wrong with our air system..first problem in the b5's were AC doesn't work when outside temps are in the mid/high 90s! now the newer gen. A4s have stinky air.

**doublezero30** · 08-26-2007 06:19 AM

lol theres something about the phrase 'stinky air' that makes me laugh...anyway, anycar can develop "stinky air"...its not soley our cars. like i said, its due to bacteria growing in the vents due to the condensation.