Wiffy Picasso Air-Con

stevieb · Post by **stevieb** » 06 Jul 2006, 23:01

Strange one this one. Probably more a bodywork question than an air-con one.

My cousin has a Xsara Picasso with an air-con system that seems to emit the smell of the morning after the night before (finished with a visit to the tandoori house) - if you catch my drift - when the engine is turned off and the fan stops. I haven't experienced this phenomenon yet, but have been told in great detail of the precise nature of the odour.

My 406, and my uncles Xantia both leave little puddles of water (condensation) from the air-con whenever we've been stood. However, this Picasso doesn't.

Does it sound like a blocked drain somewhere? It's not something I've had dealings with before, so it's all a bit of a mystery. If it is a blocked drain, where is it? It was serviced at a local garage a week or so ago, and they could find nothing. The carpets aren't getting wet, but turning the heater on causes the windscreen to steam up quickly (on the inside - not on the outside like a good air-con system).

Any guesses?

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 06 Jul 2006, 23:24

Sounds like the A/C filter is contaminated. Change it and see if that solves the problem.

stevieb · Post by **stevieb** » 06 Jul 2006, 23:27

James.UK wrote:Sounds like the A/C filter is contaminated. Change it and see if that solves the problem.

Cheers James, I'm assuming you mean the pollen filter...?

This has been changed, but the car was run with it completely removed and the smell remained.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 07 Jul 2006, 00:33

Sounds a bit like the drain could be blocked and the defrost water is running under the underfelt under the carpets so won't be found until the carpets have been physically removed.
The smell is most likely a bacterial build up which can not only destroy the carpet but isn't all that good for your health, in fact in a tropical climate you could be literally flirting with death if the legonella bacteria were to get into it.
I'd suggest ripping the carpets out, getting them steam cleaned and then try to find where the drain is and clear it out before refitting the carpet.
An anti bacterial spray on the carpets and underlay, in the pollen filter and if possible into the cooling coil area of the air con would all be good precautions.

Alan S

8304 · Post by **8304** » 07 Jul 2006, 08:43

a chap i work with had the same problem with is renault scenic.

he took it to the dealer and they said the smell is caused by a build up od bacteria in the vent ducts behind the dash, at a low point where moisture can collect.

all they did is spray and aerosol anti bacterial spray down the vents and that sorted it.

my collegue now does this once a month or so to keep the smells at bay.......

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 07 Jul 2006, 11:07

Can you buy a spray called "Glen 20" over there?

This is what airlines use as well as air con companies in cases wher legionella can be a problem.
It deoderises as well as being an anti bacterial and is used in the trade.

Alan S