Smelly Aircon

p20 · Post by **p20** » 16 Aug 2005, 21:29

The aircon in my Xantia works fine, lovely and cold. The problem start when you switch it off, theres a damp smell which starts coming through. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it could be a blocked condensor?? Not entirely sure where to begin with this one and any help would be greatly appreciated.

bernie · Post by **bernie** » 16 Aug 2005, 21:37

No no no not a blocked condensor but probably a smelly evaporator.
You can buy a spray to clean up a/c from Halfords etc.

p20 · Post by **p20** » 16 Aug 2005, 22:07

Cheers bernie. Will go and track one down.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 17 Aug 2005, 05:02

May also be worth checking to see if the drain is partially or fully blocked.
Alan S

p20 · Post by **p20** » 17 Aug 2005, 21:41

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by alans</i>

May also be worth checking to see if the drain is partially or fully blocked.
Alan S
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Where abouts is the drain? I've just done the cleaner about 5mins ago, so i can't tell if thats worked yet. Given i've got some time off at the moment i may aswell look at the drain to make sure.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 18 Aug 2005, 04:43

I've never had to go looking for one on one of these but usually they have a plastic cover that has an outlet at the bottom. This usually has connected to it a piece of rubber hose that has a primitive "non return" pipe attached which is basically a flattened out end that will allow the water to drain out but prevent any from getting in. With age, the rubber persihes/gets sticky and it reduces the capacity to discharge as quickly as it shouls with the result that the moisture can back up as well as not totally emptying out.
I know on the CX for example, this non return hose can be accessed from under the car and either replaced in part or at least seperated to allow a more thorough draining of the moisture.
A pit or a hoist can make it real easy on a CX; ramps or axle stands makes it possible.
Alan S

ACTIVE8 · Post by **ACTIVE8** » 09 Dec 2005, 12:38

I also found that I had a similar problem, although at the time I found that the pollen filter needed to be changed. So I took out the old one, and fitted the new one, but prior to fitting it sprayed it with some perfume. After replacing it, and leaving the fan on with the vents open for a while it cleared out the smell from the system.

Although the air-con spray from Halfords, works in a similar way to this because the fan is left on with the system in recyle mode on the dash control. This seemed like a cheaper way of doing the same thing, and has worked.

London luke · Post by **London luke** » 02 Jul 2006, 18:40

I used a whole can of anti bacterial spray. AC on recyle etc. Cost me £3.00 Same as the AC cleaning stuff but without the price.

SLYTZD · Post by **SLYTZD** » 20 Jul 2009, 21:32

May also be worth checking to see if the drain is partially or fully blocked.

Where abouts is the drain?

It's an old post but the infomation is still very usefull. I went looking for mine the other day on my Xantia to see if I could stop my air con from smelling.

(In the photo you can see the steering rack & hand brake cable for reference.)

Mine wasn't blocked but I did get an aerosol can of Comma Air Con Cleaner from Halfords for £10 which you simple activate & leave in the back of your car with the air con on recirculate for 10 mins. It worked ok-ish for a tempory quick & cheap fix, if your can stand the fake 'fresh' smell.

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 02 Aug 2009, 22:23

COMMA Aircon cleaner?freshenr from Tesco £4.99
Same as Halfords at £10

SLYTZD · Post by **SLYTZD** » 05 Aug 2009, 18:14

Suprise - suprise

Oh well.

citrov6 · Post by **citrov6** » 05 Aug 2009, 19:58

best trick my mate told me was use dilute detol and keep it circulating in the system, while the air cons running don't stay inside the car or you'll be weazing after a min like i was before i realised better

way i do it is douse some disposable kitchen towels with it and cover the inlet to the aircon with it

then switch between the all the settings internal and external to draw in more detol, feet and facing setting, windscreen, hot and cold. i found all the hot settings were worst ofcourse

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 10 Aug 2009, 00:49

wrinklet1 wrote:COMMA Aircon cleaner?freshenr from Tesco £4.99
Same as Halfords at £10

Aldi were selling aircon anti-fungal/anti-bacterial spray cans today for €3.

Just as well - I had to use two cans to get rid of the wet dog/sweaty socks smell in the Scenic...

budgiebutler · Post by **budgiebutler** » 23 Jul 2010, 20:57

i HAVE TO DONE THE SAME AS ACTIVE 8 regarding using the pot pourri smelly stuff But I found the "Relief / Overflow pipe JUST BELOW THE PASSENGER WIPER ARM UNDER THE PLASTIC "MESH" Covered in leaves AND SOME RATHER NICE TOP SOIL COVERING THE SAID PIPES HIDDEN BY LEAVES I TOOK OUT 1/2 OF A CARRIER BAG FULL I KID YOU NOT i POKED AROUND AND FOUND A RUBBER PIPE GOING TO THE GROUND Which once cleared the AIRCON does work more efficiently ,,colder quicker and no smell

SORRY I LIED there IS a SMELL called Vanilla
Luverly Jubbly

Post by **Rhothgar** » 31 Dec 2010, 16:43

Shouldn't we be using Chanel No.5 on the pollen filter to give the interior that authentic French smell?

A little expensive and a bit girly! Girlfriend sitting beside me daring to moan that I should use the Chanel I bought her!

Perhaps I'll use Onions!!!!

Mais Oui!

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