My A/C smells like a wet towel

[jonan]

When my A/C is on the air coming out of the vents smells like a wet towel. How do I fix this?

TIA
Jon

[Capt. Obvious]

New cabin filter. They're like $15.

[chris@penskeaudi]

try running the heater to dry out the Evap system... It builds mildew due to the moisture

[The Godfather]

spray febreeze in the vents

[Doss]

It's your evaporator core most likely.

It's probably got mildew built up on it. You'll need to have it cleaned.

Everything else will just be a cover up and only work temporarily.

[mobigray]

I had this same problem before. The dealer fixed the problem by "flushing" the a/c system. They said the first time was free. They told me to turn off a/c system a few block before arriving at destination and it won't happen again. That's stupid cuz I never remember to turn it off a few block before arriving.

[stacks]

If you are running econ it will do that. At least mine does.

[SarahsAudiA4]

Mine smells nasty too......what is econ?

[MikTip]

[Doss]

Mine smells nasty too......what is econ?

There's an "ECON"omy mode for the AC.

What they did when they flushed it was probably clear out the drain hole for the evaporator core and spray a chemical similar to what MikTip posted in it.

[SarahsAudiA4]

There's an "ECON"omy mode for the AC.

What they did when they flushed it was probably clear out the drain hole for the evaporator core and spray a chemical similar to what MikTip posted in it.

It was just a simple noob question......your answer was a little harsh. As I've said before I don't yet have an owner's manual so I am still filling out all the bells and whistles that audis come with that most cars don't. I know how to use the horn, the lights, the radio, and other basic stuff but I don't know how to use everything yet. I'm learning.....I still dunno how to program my home link or what the three little buttons are down on the driver's side door close to that little pocket that you put stuff in.

[old guy]

I think you misunderstood Doss' answer. ECON stands for economy mode. When you push the button it turns off the AC compressor but the fan continues to run and attempts to reach the requested temperature setting using outside air.

[SarahsAudiA4]

I think you misunderstood Doss' answer. ECON stands for economy mode. When you push the button it turns off the AC compressor but the fan continues to run and attempts to reach the requested temperature setting using outside air.

Maybe I did read it wrong. That's easy to do on the internet where expressions are VERY hard if not impossible to portray.

Wow that's cool.......and more reason why I need an owner's manual.

[BNZ TOY]

If you are running econ it will do that. At least mine does.

Stupid question: what Exactly is ECON?

[BNZ TOY]

I think you misunderstood Doss' answer. ECON stands for economy mode. When you push the button it turns off the AC compressor but the fan continues to run and attempts to reach the requested temperature setting using outside air.

Oh, nevermind. Thanks Old Guy

[SarahsAudiA4]

Stupid question: what Exactly is ECON?

LOL.....I experienced your same amount of confusion. Do you have an owner's Manual?

[SarahsAudiA4]

Thanks Old Guy

This satement had me.....ROFL.

[kovachian]

There's an "ECON"omy mode for the AC.

What they did when they flushed it was probably clear out the drain hole for the evaporator core and spray a chemical similar to what MikTip posted in it.

I would think most dealers take a small bottle of this lovely smelling chemical and pour it into a peculiar contraption which looks like a miniature humidifier. We set it in the passenger footwell, plug it in, shut all the doors, roll up the windows and let it run til the chemical is evaporated. It works beautifully.

[jonan]

what exactly is this "evaporcoreamajigator?"

[jonan]

oh, and i'm not using econ mode, i only use econ during the winter months. the smell is terrible lately.

[Doss]

It was just a simple noob question......your answer was a little harsh.

See... this is where I get my reputation from (yes I did read your posts later stating that you probably just read it wrong).

I didn't say anything in a harsh or condescending nature.

I was merely pointing out that ECON = economy mode. I thought the point was to answer your question, not belittle you (there's no enjoyment in making fun of people over an honest question (though I do from time to time )).

Thanks old guy for clearing it up for me.


Am I going to have to go back and start putting in what "tone" I'm posting in again?


***This whole post was written in a non-demeaning, not-trying-to-make-you-feel-bad tone.***

[Deaper]

I have really bad smell coming from my AC as well. I checked the cabin air filter and it is OK.
The vents below the filter are closed though while engine is running and open when engine is off.
Is this normal???? If so I will just do the deodorising as mentioned above

[CyberPMG]

Wow... awesome 7 year necrobump! LOL

Don't just look at the charcoal cabin filter. Replace it. They should get replaced at regular intervals (I believe it's every 30k or 60k miles).

Make sure you're not running in recirculating mode (the bottom button with the circular arrow). That will close off the vents allowing fresh air into the car and only recirculate what's inside. That can allow moisture and mildew buildup over time if left this way.

The post Old Guy made earlier will also help to dry things out. Have ECON engaged so that you're only blowing air through from the outside with the A/C turned off. You may need to run it like this for a few days to dry out everything. If you still get the musty smell after that when turning on A/C, then there are some kits out there designed to attack mildew in a car's A/C system that can help. Worst case would be to take it to a shop for full cleaning.

[xhackerekx]

turn on a/c system remove filter and spray Lysol next step turn on recirculation on full speed fan and use Lysol spray for disinfection system and spray under dash on passenger side , bacteria made bad smell because love very wet condition on ac system .

[gmudan]

turn on a/c system remove filter and spray Lysol next step turn on recirculation on full speed fan and use Lysol spray for disinfection system and spray under dash on passenger side , bacteria made bad smell because love very wet condition on ac system .

Not a good idea. This stuff worked for me
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002Z...&robot_redir=1

[Lornnn]

Klima is a waste of money. Lysol or some other kind of disinfectant sprayed into your vents from the outside while the heat is running will take care of the problem at a fraction of the cost. It'll take some time to air out, though.

[xhackerekx]

Not a good idea. This stuff worked for me
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002Z...&robot_redir=1

in USA almost can't find nothing for clean and remove bacteria from A/C in Europe almost every gas station have something for cleanup A/C system and disinfection , Lysol is alternate option and work just great.

[BARRY]

1z einszett, works great! you'll have to do it once a year but for that entire year you'll have great smelling air conditioning. after the year the smell will slowly come back due to more build up

[Spike00513]

The car has a noticeable smell on ECON.

Is Lysol still recommended? Or 1Z Einszett?

you can easily fix it by turning your heater on full blast, open your hood and spray some Lysol anti-bacterial on air intake.
This whole process should only take about 5 min and your call will be smelling so fresh and so clean clean.

[Lornnn]

The car has a noticeable smell on ECON.

Is Lysol still recommended? Or 1Z Einszett?

I used the Klima shit a few years ago... $15 and a week later the smell came back

Used half a can of Lysol and it's been fine for two years since

[Spike00513]

I used the Klima shit a few years ago... $15 and a week later the smell came back

Used half a can of Lysol and it's been fine for two years since

What exactly did you do? The 1Z tube allows you to snake it into the interior A/C vents. Lysol cans don't have this.

Theoretically, Lysol will disinfect just about anything. However, Lysol's odor remains long after the job is complete and the oils in Lysol cling to everything. Using Lysol in this application is the same as hanging 20+ lil' evergreen tree deodorizers from your rear view mirror - does little but smells horrible. Ozium is somewhat unique in that it not only neutralizes odors (including *minor* cigarette odor), but it's native odor dimishes rapidly over time.

[imnuts]

I wouldn't use Lysol to clean the evaporator. I would use a product that is actually meant for it. I used a Wurth cleaner for mine. It smelled worse the first few times the A/C ran after I used it, but it got rid of the damp smell after everything had dried out. Lysol would probably kill anything growing, but it would also probably leave a film on it unless you could rinse or wipe it off.

[Spike00513]

I wouldn't use Lysol to clean the evaporator. I would use a product that is actually meant for it. I used a Wurth cleaner for mine. It smelled worse the first few times the A/C ran after I used it, but it got rid of the damp smell after everything had dried out. Lysol would probably kill anything growing, but it would also probably leave a film on it unless you could rinse or wipe it off.

I'll try Wurth. They make good products.

I pulled out the cabin filter and sprayed some Lysol.
Now no matter what setting, it's like getting hit in the face with a fire extinguisher full of Lysol.

[diagnosticator]

I wouldn't use Lysol to clean the evaporator. I would use a product that is actually meant for it. I used a Wurth cleaner for mine. It smelled worse the first few times the A/C ran after I used it, but it got rid of the damp smell after everything had dried out. Lysol would probably kill anything growing, but it would also probably leave a film on it unless you could rinse or wipe it off.

What is the basis for that advice? Lysol kills the mold that causes the smell. It works very effectively. Lysol won't leave any "film" on the evaporator. Of course there are products made specifically for this problem, but Lysol works as well or better that any of them. Never spray anything on the cabin air intake filter. That is not where the mold is located, and doesn't do any good when applied to the filter.

[imnuts]

Every time I've used Lysol, it's left a film behind that needed to be wiped off. It also never really dries out too well. It would do great at killing the mold/mildew if it's on there, but there are products meant specifically for cleaning evap coils that do the same thing, so why not use those?

[BARRY]

I used the Klima shit a few years ago... $15 and a week later the smell came back

Used half a can of Lysol and it's been fine for two years since

check your drains. i've used Klima on 3 of my cars and its worked PERFECTLY every single time. even cars i thought couldn't get clean smelled like a brand new car once done. the last 2 cars i had, i think the previous owners sprayed deodorant spray which didn't do jack but make things worse. Klima cleaned it up. just good practice to run Klima every 1-2 years to clean that baby out. then you won't have to worry about putting your a/c in econ for the last 15 minutes of your drive to clear out the moisture.

[Spike00513]

check your drains. i've used Klima on 3 of my cars and its worked PERFECTLY every single time. even cars i thought couldn't get clean smelled like a brand new car once done. the last 2 cars i had, i think the previous owners sprayed deodorant spray which didn't do jack but make things worse. Klima cleaned it up. just good practice to run Klima every 1-2 years to clean that baby out. then you won't have to worry about putting your a/c in econ for the last 15 minutes of your drive to clear out the moisture.

Where are the drains on this car?
I don't recall seeing condensed water drip on the ground like every other car does, would this mean clogged drain?

So you're saying Klima would clean out the Lysol stink?
There are a ton of other products that appear to function the same way. Generic A/C cleaners. But I guess any is good.
GM air-condition deodorizer 15-102 (Popular Mechanics), Toyota A/C power foam + Conditioner (2-step) Lexus), etc.

[Lornnn]

What exactly did you do? The 1Z tube allows you to snake it into the interior A/C vents. Lysol cans don't have this.

Yeah, I used the 1Z tube and all that as directed. A week later and the smell came right back.

After that I just picked up a can of Lysol (just the default kind), had my heat running on high and sprayed it in through the outside vents and cabin air filter area. I used about a half a can over probably 20 minutes and then left it running for 10-15 with the windows down so it could air out. Still smell like Lysol? Keep it running and air it out more until its gone. Been smell free for two years since.

[BARRY]

Where are the drains on this car?
I don't recall seeing condensed water drip on the ground like every other car does, would this mean clogged drain?

So you're saying Klima would clean out the Lysol stink?
There are a ton of other products that appear to function the same way. Generic A/C cleaners. But I guess any is good.
GM air-condition deodorizer 15-102 (Popular Mechanics), Toyota A/C power foam + Conditioner (2-step) Lexus), etc.

this is all i could find quickly looking

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...2742-A-C-drain

[old guy]

Where are the drains on this car?
I don't recall seeing condensed water drip on the ground like every other car does, would this mean clogged drain?

Clicky click® Unfortunately a lot of the pics are missing.