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      05-04-2014, 01:09 PM   #1
BMW_Diesel_Owner
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Stinky smell when turning ON the AC

With the warmer weather upon us, I noticed that the air coming out of the vents when turning ON the AC stinks for the first few minutes. I have already replaced the external cabin filters that are located under the hood, but the bad smell persists. I don't seem to have this problem, when turning on the heater. Any similar experience? Any suggestion on how to fix this issue?
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      05-04-2014, 02:23 PM   #2
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There are sprays you can get from your local auto parts store that are meant to be sprayed in your vent intakes while the fan is on high. What it does is kill the fungus/mold growing in your ac system.

Subaru had a great two part system that was a foam and spray, that worked really well. I have to assume BMW has something similar. Though the sprays at the store are only about $5.
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      05-04-2014, 07:57 PM   #3
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What do you call the Subaru solution? Where can you get it? Thanks!
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      05-04-2014, 08:33 PM   #4
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http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulle...r-smell-59025/
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      05-04-2014, 10:30 PM   #5
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I actually only have this issue when I *don't* turn the A/C on and the vents are just blowing air.
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      05-05-2014, 01:15 PM   #6
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I called up my dealership, and was advised that they offer the service, not the product, so I'll have to bring my vehicle in for the service and pay up.

As an aside, I have seen several folks, who combatted the issue by spraying Lysol into the air intake. I think I'll give that a try before replacing my recirculated air filter.

Thoughts?
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      05-05-2014, 01:25 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW_Diesel_Owner View Post
I called up my dealership, and was advised that they offer the service, not the product, so I'll have to bring my vehicle in for the service and pay up.

As an aside, I have seen several folks, who combatted the issue by spraying Lysol into the air intake. I think I'll give that a try before replacing my recirculated air filter.

Thoughts?
It could work just fine, as it's no different than the autostore spray. I however would do two things first.

1. Find out the procedure the dealer is using. What if they are using a similar spray, changing your filters, and charging you 2hours of labor?
2. Make sure your lysol formula can kill mold/mildew, and to air out your car for a good hour afterwards.
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      05-05-2014, 10:44 PM   #8
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I bit the bullet, and did the cleaning myself today. I used Lysol Linen Fresh, and here's exactly what I did:

Put a rug under the dashboard on the passenger side. This will catch drips, in case you have sprayed too much Lysol later.

1. Removed the external cabin filters
2. Wiped the reachable internal surface of the air intake - the part that the cabin filters would normally cover
3. Turned the A/C full blast; ensure air re-circulation is turned OFF
4. Sprayed Lysol into the air intake for 30 seconds
5. Kept the A/C running for another 5 minutes
6. Switched to heating full blast
7. Sprayed Lysol into the air intake for another 30 seconds
8. Kept the heating running for another 5 minutes
9. Recirculated the air for another 5 minutes
10. Turned the heater off
11. Returned the external cabin filters
12. Wiped the vents adjacent to the internal cabin filter; it would be Lysol
13. Replaced the internal cabin filter

Although you don't necessarily need to replace the external filters, you must replace the internal filter, as it would have captured the Lysol spray.

Here's what my old internal cabin filter looked like:

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      05-06-2014, 06:27 AM   #9
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Was going to say, have been using Lysol trick for years and never had any problems, I spray it in a few times a year just as my normal PM.

Harry
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      05-06-2014, 12:01 PM   #10
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Once you get the smell out, you will want to do things to prevent it from coming back. The best and easiest thing to do is turn off the AC when you are close to your destination. By shutting off, to stop the condensation process(which causes the dirt/mold a place to stick and thrive) and just run the fan. This will help dry out the coils in the exchanger. This Was suggested by a BMW tech and has work for quite some time in my various BMW's
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      05-07-2014, 12:49 AM   #11
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as long as I used my AC, before turn off the engine, I turned off AC but maxed fan speed for 2~3 minute to just blow air so that I can dry out any condensed water remain in the AC system/tunnel.
And normally during night driving, I leave the fan on, for cabin ventilation and keep the AC unit circulated so that it's always happy and dry.
Thanks to those 2 things I do I never had any smells from AC unit no matter I turned on the AC or just the fan itself.
However sometime it makes me feel annoying coz I have to stay in the car to wait my fan blowing hot airs into cabin to dry my AC system.
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      05-14-2014, 04:32 PM   #12
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I did the Lysol trick just last week, but the stink is back with a vengeance! Anyone has the "next level" of fix for this?
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      05-15-2014, 07:14 AM   #13
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Lysol again, and fitler changes. while I have never done it, it was mentioned by some that they recomend changing the filters after they get soaked with Lysol, you may consider keeping your old set after they get soaked, possible clean them up some and use them if you need to spray Lysol a few more times and them put the new set back. Again, I have never had to do that, but it's not going to hurt.

Harry
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      05-18-2014, 03:16 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW_Diesel_Owner View Post
I did the Lysol trick just last week, but the stink is back with a vengeance! Anyone has the "next level" of fix for this?
Is the stink just a musty/moldy smell, or is it more chemical in nature? If the latter, it may be what I experienced--a brief "band aid" smell that goes away after a minute of the AC being on. Mine was a Freon leak:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...light=band+aid
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      05-18-2014, 09:31 AM   #15
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I found that I get the smell if I turn the AC on if not using the auto AC and only last for about a minute. I also found that if I leave the auto AC on I don't get the smell so I always leave it on auto.
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      05-21-2014, 12:41 PM   #16
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Not sure if it's fortunately or unfortunately, but what I am getting is the stinky, poopy type of smell. Thanks to those who have pitched in. Yes, leaving the fan ON seems to keep the bad smell away.
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