DIY aircon clean - removal of musty smell!
DIY aircon clean - removal of musty smell!
Author
Discussion

Zachlain

Original Poster:

876 posts

182 months

Wednesday 28th March 2012
quotequote all
Hi guys,

As we have had this nice weather recently I have been using the aircon more. After turning it off there is a musty smell that appears in the cabin.

I have ordered a new carbon pollen filter off ebay and will change it when it arrives, but does anyone have any idea how this cleaning product works:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Also, can anyone recommend a good cleaning product that they have used?

Many thanks,

Zach

Rotaree

1,241 posts

292 months

Wednesday 28th March 2012
quotequote all
I've used that having had exactly the same problem as you describe. You start the car, set the aircon to recycle mode, set off the aerosol (that locks on to continuous spray) and then get out and leave the car running for five minutes. It did the job perfectly, I now have no smell at all when using the aircon.

Zachlain

Original Poster:

876 posts

182 months

Wednesday 28th March 2012
quotequote all
Rotaree said:
I've used that having had exactly the same problem as you describe. You start the car, set the aircon to recycle mode, set off the aerosol (that locks on to continuous spray) and then get out and leave the car running for five minutes. It did the job perfectly, I now have no smell at all when using the aircon.
Thanks mate.
Should I use the product before or after changing the pollen filter?

MarkwG

5,955 posts

220 months

Wednesday 28th March 2012
quotequote all
I did the filter first

blondini

477 posts

209 months

Thursday 29th March 2012
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Zachlain said:
Should I use the product before or after changing the pollen filter?
Makes no difference because no external air is drawn (through the pollen filter) in recirculation mode. Just make sure you don't forget to put it on recirc before setting off the aerosol. banghead

Zachlain

Original Poster:

876 posts

182 months

Thursday 29th March 2012
quotequote all
Thanks guys.

Also, should I select the lowest air con tempreature (i think 16 degrees C).


blondini

477 posts

209 months

Friday 30th March 2012
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It's a long time since I used one but the instructions will be on the can. Can remember fan speed on full and wonder if it's a good idea to set distribution to manual and direct to all outlets.

There is a tip I've heard to kill the stinky bacteria in the system by running the heating on maximum temperature. For as long as you can bear I suppose... Might be worth giving this a shot before mopping up with the aerosol.

Pickled Piper

6,452 posts

266 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Run your car on max heat setting for as long as you can tolerate it. Fifteen minutes should suffice.

Gets rid of the musty smell every time.

pp

Zachlain

Original Poster:

876 posts

182 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Pickled Piper said:
Run your car on max heat setting for as long as you can tolerate it. Fifteen minutes should suffice.

Gets rid of the musty smell every time.

pp
Hi guys,

thanks for the suggestions. I might have to implement them because today i replaced the old (very dirty) pollen filter with a new carbon one and also used the aerosol spray. It smells nice, but the musty smell still appeared when I switched the air con off.

I will do the maximum heat, with aircon on, later today (this wont bother me as I LOVE heat!!).

HarryW

16,078 posts

300 months

Saturday 31st March 2012
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Zachlain said:
.....
I will do the maximum heat, with aircon on, later today (this wont bother me as I LOVE heat!!).
You do realise you don't actually have to be in the car at the time don't you ..............

Zachlain

Original Poster:

876 posts

182 months

Saturday 31st March 2012
quotequote all
HarryW said:
You do realise you don't actually have to be in the car at the time don't you ..............
Yep I do wink

The musty smell is still there, albeit a lot less than before.
Should I have the aircon on recirculate when I do the hot tempreature method?

Group N

918 posts

234 months

Saturday 31st March 2012
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Zachlain said:
Should I have the aircon on recirculate when I do the hot tempreature method?
Try it both ways smile