[mustanghusker]

I just got my A/C fixed a few months ago, having the conversion done to the new stuff. However, now more than ever, the A/C really smells stale or moldy when it blows. Particularly right when I start the car or turn the A/C on, but today I noticed it for the first few minutes while out driving.



Is this indicative of something, or is there something I can do to try to fix it, like replace or clean a filter or anything? Just curious and thought I would check with the experts before I call the shop. Thanks.

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[flash]

is it in recycle mode? i find that to always smell worse than in fresh mode, no matter which car - lol - maybe i'm moldy



the 92 should not have filters to clean

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[Kim]

Air conditioners are prone to developing mould growth due to the protracted damp conditions and extended high relative humidity. Generally, the bad smell is caused by a fungus called Cladosporium sphaerospermum. It will begin to metabolise within seconds of the A/C being turned on because as soon as the air gets cold it also becomes very humid. Your best preventative strategies include 1) use the recirculate switch sparingly, 2) don't use more A/C than you really need and and 3) try to turn off the A/C a few minutes before to stop driving to let the ductwork reach ambient air temperatures. I often turn the heat on full to expedite that. You might be able to fog an antimicrobial into the ductwork if you aim it directly into the air intake under the hood (the in car one, not the engine one) - and turn the fan to high.



If it is any consolation, it is the same thing that makes basements smelly and shopping malls smelly. It also grows in your system at home in the fibrous sound liner. In a car it is a real PITA to get rid of. But being dry stops the growth.

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[Kim]

Here it is on a fan motor and on insulation in an A/C unit.

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[gryphon]

I don't have this issue with my 968, but I did with my Lexus RX400h. The solution, which worked very well, was to spray the cabin air filter with Lysol disinfectant spray. I now do it about every six months when I clean or replace the cabin air filter.



Where and how you would use this in a 968 I am not sure.



Tom

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[rxter]

Kim you sound like a mycologist. Good tip on blowing a little heat to cook the buggars.

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[Lonestar968]

Kim, great tip about turning off the a/c a few minutes fefore stopping and using the heat to expedite the drying process. My Dad told me the same thing when I first started driving and of course, since I was 15 and already as smart as I thought I would ever get, I blew him off. Well, years later, and alot smarter (yeah right) I realized the process works very well to prevent the musties. One of my mechs a long time ago told me that it also helps to keep your system happy by reducing the pressure in the system slowly. A different mech also said to turn off ALL systems, switches, blowers, amps, stereo etc, before turning off the ignition... something about reducing the possibility of a power surge just after starting the engine (!?). Seemed logical so I adopted the process and I have never experienced a solenoid, switch, or bulb problem. It works for me!



Anyway, great advice Kim, Thanks!!!

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[Kim]

a bit of one, yeah. Some free advice for your houses.



http://www.aegiscanada.ca/Literature/Micro...f%20version.pdf

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[chris]

You need to fix the problem at it's root.



This stuff works wonders:

http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-klima-...-freshener.html

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