Smelly air conditioning on E60 530d

[London GT3]

When my car starts up, the air conditioning smells really awful for about a minute. It smells like cat wee!

Has anyone got a cure? Is it a DIY job or can the BMW Service Agent cure it? I have read that the evaporator may need deodorising. I have not ever experienced this before on either BMW or any other car.

[buzzer]

my local motor factors sell a kit to do this...£9.99

[StuB]

Microfilters are cheap to replace, but sounds like you may have something growing in there somewhere. Try an a/c specialist.

[Mattt]

For a quick fix, try sticking the air on recirculate, find the inlet, then spray some Dettox or similar up there - works for me

HTH

Matt

[B19 RUS]

Put a/c on full blast then send hot then cold, hot then cold and carry out this a dozen timens and this can help.

RB

[Zhead]

mine smelt like really old socks, ie bacteria in heat exchanger. Most aircon specialist will deoderise, but it is harmful to breath in, so DIY kits may not be the same as the specialist use. My indi did mine, and the bottle of goo is the most expensive bit! worked a treat. I wonder if Cillit Bang works? Joke obviously, other cleaners are available. Z

[belleair302]

Have a look here. The Comma air conditioning cleaner works very well, costrs around £10, takes a few minutes to work and should solve your problem.

http://www.commaoil.com/

[spants]

belleair302 said:

Have a look here. The Comma air conditioning cleaner works very well, costrs around £10, takes a few minutes to work and should solve your problem.

http://www.commaoil.com/

seconded - did mine 4 weeks ago... still perfect

[GTS Turbo]

they use some stuff where i work. you basically start the car with the car aircon running on recirc and let this stuff off inside. downer is you have to stay with the car till it's run through because a) some lil tike will nick it or b) the old bill will arrest you cos it's illegal to leave a motor running while not being near the car.

for 10 quid defo worth a go!

[London GT3]

Many thanks for the tips. I have ordered up the Comma Air Con Cleaner and will look forward to fumigating the car at the weekend.

[London GT3]

Pleased to report that my Comma Air Con Cleaner arrived yesterday and the car was "deodorised" last night. 10 minute job - simple.

Travelled to work this morning with no smells.

Many thanks for the advice.

[belleair302]

If you use the air con most of the year round, every six or so months use the Comma cleaner....if not, just once a year is enough.....it really does work. Glad we could help