Interior air vents damp/wet?

Interior air vents damp/wet?

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Saturday 14th July 2018
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Hi all, recently I took the air freshener out of my car and noticed that without the AC on the car smells damp, almost like wet dog.
The other day I was driving around with the car blowing cool air but the AC off and noticed the vent slats were damp/wet. So with the AC on it conditions the air and removes the moisture in the system but with the AC off the car smells of damp and the vents are wet.

Do I have a leak in the environmental system? What other causes could lead to this?

Thanks.

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Saturday 14th July 2018
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What car? if it has a pollen filter check it isn't wet, they are normally situated by the bulkhead and when the bulkhead drain plugs get blocked rain water soaks the pollen filter

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Saturday 14th July 2018
quotequote all
Saleen836 said:
What car? if it has a pollen filter check it isn't wet, they are normally situated by the bulkhead and when the bulkhead drain plugs get blocked rain water soaks the pollen filter
bmw e46, the pollen filter is dry however dirty. I've ordered a new one with "activated carbon" which supposedly aids in the removal of odours as well as a bilt hamber air con bomb. I can't help but think this will only mask the problem instead of solving the root cause.

GreenV8S

30,149 posts

283 months

Saturday 14th July 2018
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Is it losing coolant?

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Monday 16th July 2018
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GreenV8S said:
Is it losing coolant?
No, not loosing coolant nor is the air con drain blocked.

GreenV8S

30,149 posts

283 months

Monday 16th July 2018
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Do you know where the air intake is on that car? Typically the intake is in the gap between the windscreen and bonnet, and has a small chamber with a screen to keep muck out, and a drain underneath. If this has filled with water because the drain is blocked, I suppose that might have let water into the heating/ventilation system. This time of year I'd have thought that would dry out pretty quickly as long as additional water isn't getting in.

You say the aircon water drain isn't blocked, but even if it was only partially blocked that would be another excellent explanation for the problem.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 17th July 2018
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GreenV8S said:
Do you know where the air intake is on that car? Typically the intake is in the gap between the windscreen and bonnet, and has a small chamber with a screen to keep muck out, and a drain underneath. If this has filled with water because the drain is blocked, I suppose that might have let water into the heating/ventilation system. This time of year I'd have thought that would dry out pretty quickly as long as additional water isn't getting in.

You say the aircon water drain isn't blocked, but even if it was only partially blocked that would be another excellent explanation for the problem.
I did check the air intake, all drains clear & dry. Replaced the cabin filter today.
I don't believe the aircon water drain is blocked, always a puddle of water under the car when I get home and shut down.