Randy_J

Bad smells / odors from the Air Conditioner usually mean bacteria in the system. Anyone have an idea how to solve this? My Mercedes ML320 has it pretty bad again (started in the 3rd year of ownership, dealer "fixed" it, and now it is back this year).

Now my TurboS is doing the same thing when the Air Con is used. Stops after a few minutes of use, but is sure unpleasant!

I've tried the shut off the air con a few minutes before shutting down routine to no avail.

Anyone used any of the sprays from Ford or GM to kill the bacteria? How complicated is the procedure? Went by the local Ford dealer today, and the OEM Ford stuff requires a special applicator spray tool.

Hans

Dont have an AC in the car, but this is what I do to the unit in my office:
- pour an 3% solution of H2O2 (Peroxyde) over the cooler unit, quantity: till it drops out through the drain.
- let it sit there for a while (coffee brake)
- start AC
The office unit needs this treatment once per year after the winter.
I think it is possible that you can pour the stuff in through a 1/4 inch silicon hose inserted in one of the vents so you dont have to rip everything apart.
TakeCare

sweanders

I have gotten the instructions to once a month change from cold to warm on different values over the scale a couple of times. Just to keep the system alive during winter and not let the thermostat lock in one position.

/Anders

Damian in NJ

Try carcareonline.com, IIRC they sell something to help with those odors.

Hans

[quote] ... the instructions to once a month change from cold to warm ...<hr></blockquote>Good advise.
This will help keeping the pump going and will prevent the seals from drying out.
The worcest thing for am AC compressor is not operating while in a shaky environment. Will kill the seals, resulting in loss of freon.
This will reduce the bacterial life in the vaporiser as well, but will not kill it.
Bacterial growth is an climate thing, and will be kind of low in Scandinavia, huge in sunny hot humid Africa.
TaceCare

kennyandersen

They make stuff you can spray in your fresh-air intake -- I had this problem while living in Korea where it was pretty humid. Some gal called into Click and Clack and said she couldn't find the product that they had recommended but used Lysol with mold and mildew killer and it worled -- I recommend the unscented -- some of that stuff STINKS. Ask me how I know (I tell the wife it's worse than farts!). Hey! I can't help it I'm an old MAN!

doyle

At Honda, we use a spray the goes in the intake of the vents. I am not sure what it's called because I just use it and never look at the can <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> . Anyway, if you get a hold of the aerosol spray, turn the AC on high and fresh air, then spray liberal amounts into the intake under the windshield, let this run for a bit and then switch to recirculate and spray into that intake. Smells kinda minty, but works well.

doyle

HY M8NC

Four Seasons makes a product called Airco-it is available through O'Reilly Auto Parts, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, and Napa.

It works like a charm...but...it requires you drill a small hole into your a/c box and pump it in. The product comes out in a foam, kills everything, and leaves a clean smell. Instructions are pretty clear cut.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Tom R.

I put a 50 50 mixture of clorox and water in a clean windex bottle (very clean windex bottle since ammonia and chlorine don't get along), and sprayed a mist towards the intake vent under the windshield with the fan on low, med and high.

since it was just a mist, the car smelled bleachy clean with no adverse effects. car has smelled much better for the last two years, may be time for a recharge of the ol clorox trick though.

The mixture also works great in the shower. Spray it on, open a window and come back in 24 hours. Gets the white grout very white.

Randy_J

Thanks everyone! My concern is breathing in the mold killer - can't be healthy. Otherwise I know about cycling the air con, etc.

Interesting that this only occurs in my cars that do not have an automatic climate control system that cycles air con and heat modes. May be related to this issue.

I'll give it a try with Frigi-Fresh or the equivelant (don't know if I can get this in Canada).