Newbie owner, newbie question.

[bigoltater]

Hey fellas with I'm a pretty new RS owner I've had my car since last April or May. Its a 2007 what about 117000 miles runs like a champ leaks nothing runs fine. My question is I've been having a weird musty smell coming through the vents, maybe I've never noticed it when I bought it, but it seems more obvious now. I don't think any of the previous owners smoke in the car my wife has a pretty keen nose and she would have told me if it was smoked in before. I've also trid to rub some of the obvious areas were smoke accumulates up in the headliner area and no smoke smell whatsoever. So I'm thinking it might be just the AC vents system needs some refreshing. I watched some YouTube videos on how to eliminate some of the moldy smell that might occur, the car was in Seattle for much of its life as well so maybe that's the problem with the moisture. I did take it to the local independent Audi shop here and both of the mechanics could smell it but they could not pinpoint where it was coming from they checked all the obvious areas and no leaks that they could find. The car is completely stock however has had the DRC decommissioned so it's running Bilsteins all the way around. And I've lost my belly pan somewhere along the way. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks.

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[WinterRunner]

I have a very mild musky smell as well, and have had for some time. I have had my A/C recharged and cleaned, with no real avail. I do get a HVAC re-circulation flap error in VCDS though and am going to have that looked at this next service. Try getting a vagcom scan done, curious if you are having that same issue, it does not trigger a CEL. I will let you know how it goes...

Update

This is the VCDS code readout:

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 8E0-820-043.lbl
Part No: 8E0 820 043 BM
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 3233
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 00000
VCID: 6DDA2FB02766495686-5102

1 Fault Found:
00716 - Air recirculation Flap Positioning Motor (V113)
41-10 - Blocked or No Voltage - Intermittent

[TypeRx]

Buy some Einzett Klima and follow the directions for use. This should clear any odors from the ventilation ducting and core. Also take a look to make sure your a/c line is draining properly to the ground.

I've never experienced this issue with my RS4 but have dealt with it successfully on other cars using the above.


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[bigoltater]

I have a very mild musky smell as well, and have had for some time. I have had my A/C recharged and cleaned, with no real avail. I do get a HVAC re-circulation flap error in VCDS though and am going to have that looked at this next service. Try getting a vagcom scan done, curious if you are having that same issue, it does not trigger a CEL. I will let you know how it goes...

I'll see if my mechanic will do a scan, it's a weird smell, I can't pinpoint it.

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[bigoltater]

Buy some Einzett Klima and follow the directions for use. This should clear any odors from the ventilation ducting and core. Also take a look to make sure your a/c line is draining properly to the ground.

I've never experienced this issue with my RS4 but have dealt with it successfully on other cars using the above.


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I saw that on amazon, do you know where to spray it? I saw some videos that your supposed to spray it into the venting right in front of the windshield on the exterior of the car.

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[TypeRx]

No, you spray it into your vents from inside the car. It comes with a flexible tube that you fish in through your center vent and then spray (foam things up). Then, follow directions on the bottle RE: having the car sit outside for a little bit and running the HVAC.


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[bigoltater]

No, you spray it into your vents from inside the car. It comes with a flexible tube that you fish in through your center vent and then spray (foam things up). Then, follow directions on the bottle RE: having the car sit outside for a little bit and running the HVAC.


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Ok thanks I'll give it a try.

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[musanoadsaba]

I read through 2 times and saw nothing regarding if you checked your cabin filter.

check this out:

cabin filter thread

[B-Time]

^ Charcoal cabin filter is the way to go.

[cmd4]

FWIW i've noticed this from both S4's and rs4…could be a stretch but i'm guessing the "audi" approved leather may play into this mysterious smell too. I use to not care for the smell…but now it's kinda like the 993 and somewhat a comforting scentcharacter…..

[prfktgntlmn]

You could try some Ozium spray as well. This you spray into the filter area in the engine bay.

[bigoltater]

I read through 2 times and saw nothing regarding if you checked your cabin filter.

check this out:

cabin filter thread

Thanks, I'll definitely check it out.

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[bigoltater]

I read through 2 times and saw nothing regarding if you checked your cabin filter.

check this out:

cabin filter thread

I just read through the whole thread, good info, thanks again!

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[RAudi Driver]

You got mold in your system. Things to do to prevent this from happening:

1. Never run your system on recirculate.

2. Hit the ECON button a few minutes before you reach your destination and allow the system to evaporate and condensation that may be happening.

3. Never run the system at full cool temp. Kick it up a few degrees and that allows a little hot air to enter preventing condensation inside the system.

4. Clean out and change filter and repeat steps 1 to 3.

Good Luck

[bigoltater]

You got mold in your system. Things to do to prevent this from happening:

1. Never run your system on recirculate.

2. Hit the ECON button a few minutes before you reach your destination and allow the system to evaporate and condensation that may be happening.

3. Never run the system at full cool temp. Kick it up a few degrees and that allows a little hot air to enter preventing condensation inside the system.

4. Clean out and change filter and repeat steps 1 to 3.

Good Luck

Thanks for the info

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[Mr Hyde]

Mold from condensation on the AC evaporator isn't too uncommon. Happens across makes and models.

TypeRx posted a more thorough way of trying to clean it, but a quick fix is to crank up your A/C, and the fans with your windows open. Then pop the hood, remove the cabin filter, and spray some Lysol or Ozium into the open flap which will suck it through the evaporator.

If your cabin filter hasn't been changed in awhile, replace it with a new one which is charcoal impregnated.

The whole process can be done in under 5 minutes.