Smelly air con

[RobS]

My aircon smells (badly) for up to five minutes if it hasn't been used for a day. I assume this is due to mould growing somewhere. Is this something I can sort out myself or is it a job for the dealer?

[VicW]

This is quite common and can be cured by buying a 'bomb' from a car accessory shop. This is an aerosol type can that you set off in the car with aircon on max heat and fan speed and set to recirculate.
I have used them and they work.

Vic.

[jazzaro]

Yes, the bomb usually works fine.
Another way is switching off the aircon some minutes before leaving the car, and leaving the fan to dry the cabin cooler.

[culzean]

This is quite common and can be cured by buying a 'bomb' from a car accessory shop. This is an aerosol type can that you set off in the car with aircon on max heat and fan speed and set to recirculate.
I have used them and they work.

Vic.

Yes have used them in the past, bought two last year a Comma one and an STP one, found them in garage yesterday when cleaning up ( they were on special somewhere so a real bargain and I bought them ' just in case ' ).  The STP one feels full but the Comma one felt decidedly light and empty ( still in original box ) pressed the trigger down on Comma one and it was empty, all leaked away..... 

Have not had to use one for years though because what I tend to do is turn aircon off for last mile of journey to allow condenser to dry out,  if you leave aircon on all the time the condenser will be damp when vehicle is left standing and this encourage mould to grow, which is where the smell comes from.

[RobS]

Thanks all.

Is the best place to put this aircon-bomb in the passenger footwell or doesn't it really matter?

[Jocko]

I bought Comma Air Con Cleaner for my Volvo, and when I set it off there was virtually nothing in it, I then bought Normfest Viro, from Euro Car Spares (currently £10.99). You spray it in the vents. Worked great. I also changed the pollen filter, but doubt that would be necessary on such a new car.

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Accessories/Car-Care/Air-Conditioning/Air-Conditioning-Cleaner/?NOR2897300&0&cc5_101&gclid=CjwKCAjwqqrmBRAAEiwAdpDXtNjbhqBEQ3yvrCEQ-jqXJTZIoVpzlnYyWD-mW2p4jVhKttvbNp5PXBoCHw4QAvD_BwE

[JazzyB]

Depends on the make,  some say passenger footwell others say front passenger seat fully forward and then in the rear.

Also set the air con the max cooling,  fan max, temp cold and recirculation mode.

Have tried comma air con to good effect  and also simoniz brand works well