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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Airconditioning Smell
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      05-03-2013, 04:32 PM   #1
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Angry Airconditioning Smell

Now that we hit spring and summer, I notice that the aircon tends to smell a bit, mostly when you turn it off (the snowflake).

I can't remember it being such an issue last year, perhaps since it has been off all the winter?

Any tips to bring the smell back to normal? Passengers are complaining!
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      05-03-2013, 04:40 PM   #2
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You should really use it throughout the year and not just when it is warm.
If its not used the gas can leak out.
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      05-03-2013, 06:36 PM   #3
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Could be the micro air filters need to be changed. they can also spray some chemical that kills the bacteria that makes that sour milk smell.
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      05-03-2013, 10:31 PM   #4
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It's happening a little with me too. It's like a stale moldy smell, but very mild.
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      05-03-2013, 11:07 PM   #5
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replace the cabin filter.
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      05-03-2013, 11:41 PM   #6
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Put your AC to outside air and spray Ozium or something of your preference that kills organic odors into the intakes near the wipers. This will pull that through the ducting and wipe out the smell.
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      05-04-2013, 02:47 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
You should really use it throughout the year and not just when it is warm.
If its not used the gas can leak out.
Yes, I agree... I did turn it on intermittently during winter, but only for short periods (as it was too cold)... but that obviously hasn't done trick
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      05-04-2013, 02:48 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2k13f10 View Post
Put your AC to outside air and spray Ozium or something of your preference that kills organic odors into the intakes near the wipers. This will pull that through the ducting and wipe out the smell.
Yes I might try that rather than taking it into BMW for filter check/spray...

I did this with two other cars and it worked quite well (makes a bit of a mess of the car unless you get it 100% right
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      05-04-2013, 03:10 AM   #9
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I actually got my dealer to clean and spray Lysol on my cabin filters lol it actually worked for like 1-2 months. Then the smell came on again. I don't think it's a permanent fix for it though.
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      05-04-2013, 03:46 AM   #10
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My car is 1 year old and I've not got that smell (yet) and I've been told / read that the air conditioning should always be used or used at least once a week . I believe the Gas contains a sealant and this needs to flow round the system to seal the system and reduce the amount of the gas leaking. (it will obviously all leak out over time)
I think that helps to a large degree to prevent any bad smells appearing in the system due to bacteria building up.

I'm guessing that this is why BMW set the air conditioning to be on by default.

It's an air conditioning system as opposed to a cooling system and should therefore be used all the time even if its cold outside.
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      05-04-2013, 01:09 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedpause View Post
Yes, I agree... I did turn it on intermittently during winter, but only for short periods (as it was too cold)... but that obviously hasn't done trick
Agreed.
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      05-04-2013, 02:20 PM   #12
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I put 150K + miles on a 540 and never had problems. I think one reason is a tip I picked up years ago. When you are coming up your final stretch before your garage, turn off the AC. This permits it (so I was told) to dry out a bit before you shut off the car and lessens the likelihood of the dreaded smell.

I replaced the micro filters perhaps once. The above technique seemed to work for me and will do it with the F10 also. If it ever stops snowing here in CO.
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      05-04-2013, 03:40 PM   #13
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I think bacteria can build up in the A/C system. The dealer can "flush" the system and the re-fill, i assume this will not cost much ?
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      05-04-2013, 04:52 PM   #14
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I have not used this product, but it does have good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/1Z-Einszett-96...ditioner+smell
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      05-04-2013, 07:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedpause View Post
Now that we hit spring and summer, I notice that the aircon tends to smell a bit, mostly when you turn it off (the snowflake).

I can't remember it being such an issue last year, perhaps since it has been off all the winter?

Any tips to bring the smell back to normal? Passengers are complaining!
When was the last time you took a shower

Seriously, you need to shut off your AC 5 minutes before you shut off your car so condensation will not build up in your ductwork.
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      05-04-2013, 09:59 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
You should really use it throughout the year and not just when it is warm.
If its not used the gas can leak out.
I think bacteria can build up in the A/C system. The dealer can "flush" the system and the re-fill, i assume this will not cost much ? [/QUOTE]

------------------------------------------------------------------------


gents,

a. gas doesn't leak out. its a pressurized system. if it leaks you have bigger problems

b. re-flushing the system doesn't change anything

its moisture condensation somewhere past the condenser that has gotten moldy. the dealer has to find where it is. hopefully just a filter. otherwise it will be hard to find. climate and usage changes the variables of where the problem lies
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      05-05-2013, 03:20 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
When was the last time you took a shower

Seriously, you need to shut off your AC 5 minutes before you shut off your car so condensation will not build up in your ductwork.
They have showers now!?

Yes, I have noticed that recommendation a response or two up, I will also try that, thanks. Have bought some spray now and will try it today..
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      05-05-2013, 03:31 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ebby422 View Post
I think bacteria can build up in the A/C system. The dealer can "flush" the system and the re-fill, i assume this will not cost much ?
------------------------------------------------------------------------


gents,

a. gas doesn't leak out. its a pressurized system. if it leaks you have bigger problems

b. re-flushing the system doesn't change anything

its moisture condensation somewhere past the condenser that has gotten moldy. the dealer has to find where it is. hopefully just a filter. otherwise it will be hard to find. climate and usage changes the variables of where the problem lies[/QUOTE]

I've always been led to believe that GAS does leek out and that's why it become less effective over time and why it needs 'regassing' every few years
this link details it.
http://www.kwik-fit.com/about-air-conditioning.asp

I'm also led to believe that the gas has a sealant within it and this plugs any gaps within the system and why it needs to be used every week to ensure that these potential leaks are kept to a minimum.
I've had air conditioning in my cars for as long as I can remember and have always left them on regardless of what the weather is doing outside.
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      05-05-2013, 11:17 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
I'm also led to believe that the gas has a sealant within it and this plugs any gaps within the system and why it needs to be used every week to ensure that these potential leaks are kept to a minimum.
I've had air conditioning in my cars for as long as I can remember and have always left them on regardless of what the weather is doing outside.
I agree we need to use them often to keep in good condition. Recommended by A/C specialists to run regularly to lubricate the susceptible parts.

In the UK we benefit from use in winter for dehumidifying. In my experience it is the switching on and off that leads to the smell and bacteria build up.

The switching off, ahead of a stop.... in my experience having tried it, it takes at least 12 miles running to do so, in average conditions when there is any humidity in the air, not a good idea here in typical UK conditions.

I leave my A/C on all the time and NO smells at all. Tried other ways of running A/C in the past and always the musty smell starts to build up when the 'on and off' method is used.

Plus we have "climate control" after all, that uses the dehumidifying/drying function as much as temperature control, whatever the ambient temperature outside.

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      05-06-2013, 06:45 AM   #20
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Thumbs up Spray worked, and shutoff before stop too

Well, I tried the in car spray, this time it was totally mess free and it seems to have done the trick!

Aircon on recirculate mode, full blast, left on for 5 minutes after spray finished... really smells great now... long may it last
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      05-06-2013, 08:00 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedpause View Post
Aircon on recirculate mode, full blast, left on for 5 minutes after spray finished... really smells great now... long may it last
If your AC is on recir mode, where did you spray the disinfectant?
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      05-07-2013, 04:23 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
If your AC is on recir mode, where did you spray the disinfectant?
Can goes on floor behind front passenger seat... seat is moved forward and backrest tilted forward too..... can has a nozzle that remains in spray mode when depressed fully

Has been very hot in last two days and I cannot smell that awful mouldiness at all, and my passengers (2 of which have allergies) have no problems... so it really has worked
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