Help: Stinky AC

chillmeow · 07-26-2011, 02:58 PM

Hi,

I need help. I own a E92 335i 2008 and still in warranty. I tried three different methods to solve my stinky AC problem, but non is working. First, I went to BMW dealer, and they claimed they cleaned the evaporator. My car ended up with some sort of chemical smell that won't go away for 2-3 weeks. AC still smells, and cost me $99. Dealer claimed I need to change the cabin filter for $250. I declined the offer and I bought the filter at BMW Parts for $55 and change it myself. (Cost around $155).

I then searched on the web, and found people recommending spreading Lysol into Air opening. I removed Cabin Filter and spread into the air opening there, and maybe the Lysol is not the best choice although it says the product kills 99.9% of odor, mold, etc, but my car smells like toilet. For a few days, it worked, but the smells came back. (Cost $6)

People recommend Klima-Cleaner-AC-Odor-Remover on the web as well. It is highly praised. I bought three bottles, and followed the direction on their website and a nice lemon smell last for a week or so, but whenever I put into AC mode and turn off AC and let the fan runs with outside air, the STINKY SMELL will come back

(cost $ 17 for one bottle plus shipping charge).

I know people claimed to have this because of the mold in evaporator, but I am in Southern California, which is DRY and not humid at all.

I am tired of this smell. Can anyone give me some suggestions or recommend a place/shop/mechanics to go to? I am located in Southern California (around Irvine).

Thank you!

UncleWede · 07-26-2011, 04:37 PM

The ozone treatment always worked for me, but it's an on-going maintenance issue. The A/C ducting uses metal pipes, which form condensation if you don't blow them dry by leaving the compressor off for about 1-2 miles before reaching your destination. Otherwise you get the mold in the pipes and it smells.
It came to a head with my wife a few weeks ago, because it smelled AGAIN and I don't drive it that much, evenless with the A/C. She told me she doesn't leave the A/C on. I stopped the car, pulled my FOB, inserted hers and started the car. A/C was on full blast . . .

chillmeow · 07-27-2011, 03:22 AM

I always turn off AC 5 to 10 mins before destination, but I just cannot stand the smell for that 5-10 mins.

Did anyone have a more permanent solution?

Thanks!

F32Fleet · 07-27-2011, 07:45 AM

I live in atlanta were it is humid almost spring through fall and i have found that setting my temps somewhere between 72-74 will keep you cool with noI smell an recirculate off.

gaza01 · 07-27-2011, 08:21 AM

its the condensation within the AC vents when the AC is off causing moisture which in turn causes bacteria to grow and hence the smell. Try turning the heating to full and the fans to full and let the car blow the hot air out for about 5 mins...obviously when you don't have to sit in it. This helps kill the bacteria and dry out the vents

UncleWede · 07-27-2011, 12:24 PM

The "permanent solution" rests with the designers at BMW. It they were to switch to the plastics for the tubing, there would not be as much of the condensation issue, so no medium for the bugs to grow. Until then, it's maintenance issue. You have to normalize the temperature of the ducting before you turn off the car.

axis · 07-27-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

The ozone treatment always worked for me, but it's an on-going maintenance issue. The A/C ducting uses metal pipes, which form condensation if you don't blow them dry by leaving the compressor off for about 1-2 miles before reaching your destination. Otherwise you get the mold in the pipes and it smells.
It came to a head with my wife a few weeks ago, because it smelled AGAIN and I don't drive it that much, evenless with the A/C. She told me she doesn't leave the A/C on. I stopped the car, pulled my FOB, inserted hers and started the car. A/C was on full blast . . .

Lol that's awesome

tibra1 · 07-27-2011, 04:01 PM

Maybe change the HVAC Filter?

chillmeow · 07-27-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

Maybe change the HVAC Filter?

Is that the same as Cabin Filter?

e90pilot · 07-27-2011, 05:23 PM

Check to see if there's actually something in the vents. I talked to an SA who said some animal crawled into one of the vents in his customer's and died! Eww.

tibra1 · 07-27-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillmeow

Is that the same as Cabin Filter?

Yes its pictured here in #1..you dont have to buy it from BMW any auto parts like Rockauto.com will have it..its Bosch Part #C3723..Your suppose to change it every 15k more if you use AC/Heat alot

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chillmeow · 07-27-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

Yes its pictured here in #1..you dont have to buy it from BMW any auto parts like Rockauto.com will have it..its Bosch Part #C3723..Your suppose to change it every 15k more if you use AC/Heat alot

Attachment 558593

Thanks for the suggestion, but I did that in my option one, which did not work.

chillmeow · 07-27-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

Check to see if there's actually something in the vents. I talked to an SA who said some animal crawled into one of the vents in his customer's and died! Eww.

Is there a DIY? How do you check the whole ventilation system?

chillmeow · 07-28-2011, 02:38 PM

Does anyone know how to access the evaporator and location of the drain for AC?

F32Fleet · 07-28-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillmeow

Does anyone know how to access the evaporator and location of the drain for AC?

STOP THE WHINING AND DO WHAT I SAID! Set climate control to no less than 72 degrees and have recirculate off and AC on. Do not deviate from this setting and smell will go away in about a week..

chillmeow · 07-28-2011, 09:01 PM

I'll stop when I get rid off this problem.

I will certainly try your method this week. I never have recirculate on BTW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

STOP THE WHINING AND DO WHAT I SAID! Set climate control to no less than 72 degrees and have recirculate off and AC on. Do not deviate from this setting and smell will go away in about a week..

Sean@PYSpeed.com · 07-28-2011, 09:05 PM

It's weird! On both my BMW vehicles, I've experience this problem. It goes away after maxing out the air for a minute or two though!

F32Fleet · 07-29-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillmeow

I'll stop when I get rid off this problem.

I will certainly try your method this week. I never have recirculate on BTW.

Good luck!

chillmeow · 08-03-2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

Good luck!

This doesn't work. Whenever I turn off the AC, the stinky odor came back for 20-30 mins before it fades away. I think mold is still in the system. Either I need to clean the evaporator, blower, or I have a Leaky heater core....

Does anyone know how to perform the following on E92?
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/AC/smell.htm

F32Fleet · 08-03-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillmeow

This doesn't work. Whenever I turn off the AC, the stinky odor came back for 20-30 mins before it fades away. I think mold is still in the system. Either I need to clean the evaporator, blower, or I have a Leaky heater core....

Does anyone know how to perform the following on E92?
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/AC/smell.htm

has it been a week? Keep at it. Running fresh air will always bring a musty smell if
you are in a humid environment. There is no perm fix. Just make sure your cabinfilter is free from obstructions and run AC all the time. Hell the engine bay gets so hot you can't get cool the air without running. AC

chillmeow · 08-03-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

has it been a week? Keep at it. Running fresh air will always bring a musty smell if
you are in a humid environment. There is no perm fix. Just make sure your cabinfilter is free from obstructions and run AC all the time. Hell the engine bay gets so hot you can't get cool the air without running. AC

????
Running fresh air will always bring a musty smell if you are in a humid environment. There is no perm fix.
????

I don't see this happen on a brand new BMW. There must be a way to fix it.

I am in Southern California. This place is not a humid at all.
Cabin Filter is cover under frame that designed to hold it. You cannot free it from obstructions as it is designed to hold in that place.

Thanks, but I really like to know how to access evaporator.

F32Fleet · 08-03-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillmeow

????
Running fresh air will always bring a musty smell if you are in a humid environment. There is no perm fix.
????

I don't see this happen on a brand new BMW. There must be a way to fix it.

I am in Southern California. This place is not a humid at all.
Cabin Filter is cover under frame that designed to hold it. You cannot free it from obstructions as it is designed to hold in that place.

Thanks, but I really like to know how to access evaporator.

Its possible that small leaves could get underneath it. Btw..so cal has its share of morning fog and nighttime dew. Maybe not Irvine but I've experienced it in Orange county to Pasadena.IJS.

07-26-2011, 02:58 PM	#1
chillmeow Private 5 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 335i 2008, G35 2003 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Help: Stinky AC Hi, I need help. I own a E92 335i 2008 and still in warranty. I tried three different methods to solve my stinky AC problem, but non is working. First, I went to BMW dealer, and they claimed they cleaned the evaporator. My car ended up with some sort of chemical smell that won't go away for 2-3 weeks. AC still smells, and cost me $99. Dealer claimed I need to change the cabin filter for $250. I declined the offer and I bought the filter at BMW Parts for $55 and change it myself. (Cost around $155). I then searched on the web, and found people recommending spreading Lysol into Air opening. I removed Cabin Filter and spread into the air opening there, and maybe the Lysol is not the best choice although it says the product kills 99.9% of odor, mold, etc, but my car smells like toilet. For a few days, it worked, but the smells came back. (Cost $6) People recommend Klima-Cleaner-AC-Odor-Remover on the web as well. It is highly praised. I bought three bottles, and followed the direction on their website and a nice lemon smell last for a week or so, but whenever I put into AC mode and turn off AC and let the fan runs with outside air, the STINKY SMELL will come back (cost $ 17 for one bottle plus shipping charge). I know people claimed to have this because of the mold in evaporator, but I am in Southern California, which is DRY and not humid at all. I am tired of this smell. Can anyone give me some suggestions or recommend a place/shop/mechanics to go to? I am located in Southern California (around Irvine). Thank you!
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07-26-2011, 04:37 PM	#2
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18430 Rep 9,426 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	The ozone treatment always worked for me, but it's an on-going maintenance issue. The A/C ducting uses metal pipes, which form condensation if you don't blow them dry by leaving the compressor off for about 1-2 miles before reaching your destination. Otherwise you get the mold in the pipes and it smells. It came to a head with my wife a few weeks ago, because it smelled AGAIN and I don't drive it that much, evenless with the A/C. She told me she doesn't leave the A/C on. I stopped the car, pulled my FOB, inserted hers and started the car. A/C was on full blast . . .
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07-27-2011, 03:22 AM	#3
chillmeow Private 5 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 335i 2008, G35 2003 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	I always turn off AC 5 to 10 mins before destination, but I just cannot stand the smell for that 5-10 mins. Did anyone have a more permanent solution? Thanks!
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07-27-2011, 07:45 AM	#4
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3908 Rep 10,606 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	I live in atlanta were it is humid almost spring through fall and i have found that setting my temps somewhere between 72-74 will keep you cool with noI smell an recirculate off.
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07-27-2011, 08:21 AM	#5
gaza01 Colonel 105 Rep 2,692 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London iTrader: (3)	its the condensation within the AC vents when the AC is off causing moisture which in turn causes bacteria to grow and hence the smell. Try turning the heating to full and the fans to full and let the car blow the hot air out for about 5 mins...obviously when you don't have to sit in it. This helps kill the bacteria and dry out the vents
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2011, 12:24 PM	#6
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18430 Rep 9,426 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	The "permanent solution" rests with the designers at BMW. It they were to switch to the plastics for the tubing, there would not be as much of the condensation issue, so no medium for the bugs to grow. Until then, it's maintenance issue. You have to normalize the temperature of the ducting before you turn off the car.
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07-27-2011, 04:01 PM	#8
tibra1 Banned 132 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	Maybe change the HVAC Filter?
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07-27-2011, 05:23 PM	#10
e90pilot Freight Dawg 105 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (3)	Check to see if there's actually something in the vents. I talked to an SA who said some animal crawled into one of the vents in his customer's and died! Eww. __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Deiselboost caliper brackets \| E46 M3 front rotors
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07-28-2011, 02:38 PM	#14
chillmeow Private 5 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 335i 2008, G35 2003 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know how to access the evaporator and location of the drain for AC?
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07-28-2011, 09:05 PM	#17
Sean@PYSpeed.com Major General 310 Rep 8,952 Posts Drives: 2009 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (22)	It's weird! On both my BMW vehicles, I've experience this problem. It goes away after maxing out the air for a minute or two though!
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