So my three year old car has a fishy smell coming out of the aircon.
Googling and watching vids i suspect it is mold.
Any experience with DIY cleaners
From supacheap?
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/shop-by-category/car-care/…
Basic vinegar dilution?
Or is it best to go to a professional?
Thanks
D.
Let us know how you go..
I sprayed some Glen 20 through the intake vent.
Car smelled good for a few days but then went back to mould smell when using the air intake, which is nearly all the time.
Maybe needs to be done a few times? Who knows.
Main ingredient usually being ethanol (although the Autoglym one is isopropyl alcohol) Glen 20 should work pretty much the same.
The air con ones are a flea bomb style can that dumps the whole lot into the car so would probably need a good amount of Glen 20 or repeat applications.
Google their MSDS to see what's in them. Glen 20 is 30-60% ethanol, Meguiars air con cleaner 10-30% ethanol though does have a bit of mystery odour eliminator in it and some other stuff.
How long since you changed the cabin filter?
In pollen filled Australia I recommend every 12 months and pay the extra and buy the type with impregnated charcoal.
I'm going to sound like a numpty here.
I've never changed it..myself.
I don't even know what it is.
Car has come out of warranty last few months. Dealership was doing all capped price servicing.
youtube it… its probably behind the glove box
Yeah, it is.
I'll have to check my service book to see when it was last done.
@dasher86: just take it out… have a look at it if its dirty replace it. if its dirty you will be able to tell
@dasher86: not saying in this case.. but in general what they say they have done and what they actually do are 2 different things.
@Archi: True that.
I'm not the most car savvy so haven't really checked they have done what they have said they did.
@dasher86: basic things you can check but certain things you just have to trust they have done it.
I once saw a mechanic that said he would gladly do my pink slip if I change brake pads which according to him were almost gone, which in reality had more than 50% of the way to go.
I once saw a mechanic that said he would gladly do my pink slip if I change brake pads which according to him were almost gone, which in reality had more than 50% of the way to go.
Which is nuts because they can't knock you back on pad thickness. The car either passes the test or does not.
The first place I worked got in deep poo because the rego guy was doing our "52 point" safety check at the same time as the rego check. He pulled the brake drums off and the wheel cylinders were leaking. He knocked it back for rego. The brakes worked fine and the leak wasn't visible from the outside, therefore it was a pass.
Just checked cabin filter at lunch. Still looks like.new.
Make sure all the plenum is free of leaves and junk.
Remove cabin filter. Try and give the area a wipe over.
Turn on recirc and blower on full
spray Glen 20 into the recirc inlet.
turn off blower.
Spray glen 20 into air ducts.
Run HVAC at max hot for 10 minutes
Run at max cold for 10 minutes
What car?
'rolla. Seen a vid and will do when I get hom.
My partner just spray glen 20 throught it and it actually work.
That was only a temporary fix I found.
As above, cabin filter, then leave windows open in the sun, works for me on most cars.
Nuclear option, Meguiar's Air Re-Fresher
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/meguiars-meguiars-air-re…
Tried this with my new car, overpowering but gets job done. Id do for 10min and leave windows open overnight.
I have an issue with dank, musty smell from air vents, only when aircon is off. Sprayed almost a whole can of Glenn 20 in the external intake vent while running the air on fill for 10+ minutes. Smell went away for a week (replaced by Glenn 20) but is now back. Changed the cabin filter and it made zero difference.
Leave in the sun with widows open a crack.
On my cars I have rain guards, can leave window open a crack and cant see the gap with the rain guards. It ventilates the car stopping smells, also good in summer stops inside from being a solar furnace.
I had mine done by the stealership when I had my vehicle serviced recently.
Cost me about $70 and the smell took my breath away it was so overpowering.
Next time I'll do it myself. SCA currently have Meguiar's Air Re-Fresher - Black Chrome, 57g on special for $21.99
Is your air being recirculated or coming from outside? My belief is that recirculated should only be used sparingly. Check the inside surface of your windshield as well. If dirty air is being recirculated, then contaminants can build up, so give it a good clean (once with damp cloth, once with dry). While you're at it, check the rear window as well.
Probably this.
I used to drive mainly in heavy traffic and always have it on so the fumes would not get in the car.
Rarely had it off even when parked and not in use no airflow.
These days less traffic so try to keep it on.
used to drive mainly in heavy traffic and always have it on so the fumes would not get in the car.
As much as recirc is reusing the interior air, it does not magically seal you off from the outside. There is still a proportion of air from outside incorporated. Plus, the steel cage you sit in is not air tight either. Recirc is predominately a feature to allow the air to cool or warm quicker not to eliminate fumes.
I know that, but it does seal you off more when on then not on.
Check you handbook… look for filters relating to the air system. These get clogged, and often become mouldy.
It should be a simple DIY job. Take them out, spray with diluted bleach or any bathroom chemical, and hose out. Leave to fully dry in the sun.
Check for leaks within the car. Your carpets could be wet.
As per above.
Cabin filters were changed in May. They are still clean.
No current leaks.
I plan on Glen 20 as per brad
And go from there.
This happens usually aircon is turned off during winter or if turned on very short time. My recommendation is you don't have to use any cleaning. Just run aircon window down for a couple of days better if week continuasly. Then all the odour will go away.
One note also the AC water drain which goes water away from the car can be blocked. I1f blocked it can get smelly. When AC on have a look water coming under the car. If water coming all good no block.
Its a build up of bacteria in the a/c which results in a bad odur.
Try this….
Firstly turn your a/c to recycle mode and locate the air intake somewhere under the glovebox.
Turn the a/c blower on medium and spray the intake with Glen 20 for about 5 secs then wait about 30 secs and repeat.
Test the next day and if the smell persists the repeat the procedure.
The Glen 20 should kill any bacteria in the a/c system and in turn remove the odur.
Actually any anti-bacteria spay will do.
I've been researching this recently too.
was thinking of using https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care-panel/car-care/interior…
read some folks recommend doing similar with glen 20 instead
been meaning to give that a try