Funny smell coming from air vents? Filter?

[Ocean02]

I noticed last week when the weather got warmer out here (southern Califormia) that the air coming from my vents when the A/C is cold smells like stagnant urine or something (not quite that bad, but it's not pleasant). Should I replace some kind of filter? Where is it, and how do I do this?

Ideas?

[storme]

it is mould


turn your a.c on full blast....and turn the temperature settings upto full(32degrees )
leave it for a few minutes...then turn the temp setting down to its minimum setting and run it for a few minutes

i also sprayed some disinfectant thru the filter element under the hood...

[Ocean02]

Good tip, man! Where exactly is the filter element? I suppose I could just look in my owners' manual, but I figured I'd ask since I'm sitting here at the computer...

[Hootie]

Cabin air filter is under the hood, centered just infront of the windshield. It's covered by a plastic housing with 3 turn screws. Filter can be replaced in about 15 seconds...

[storme]

lift up the front hood(bonnet)

just below the screen wipers is a black plastic shroud
it has 3 screws coming from it
open these screws
lift up the shroud
and there is a white elemt(unless it is filthy)

pull out this element

and spray some spray disinfectant down there...make sure a/c is on full

i do mine once a yr,,and have had no adverse reaction


the hardest thing for u will be finding the element

[Ocean02]

Right on! Anyone know where to get these elements? I'll try some Lysol tonight, but just thought I'd ask. Also, can I just clean the element with some dish soap and warm water or something?

[Hootie]

http://www.bavauto.com/
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/index.asp
http://www.bimmerpartswholesale.com/
http://www.expressautoparts.com/

[Ocean02]

Great, thanks Hootie. I did clean the filter with water and disinfectant spray. I cleaned out the filter box and blasted the spray though the holes with the A/C on full blast. Hope that will help.....

[Ocean02]

Well, the smell isn't as bad, but still there. I think I'll just get a new filter soon. Meanwhile, I am stupid and forgot which way the filter goes in the housing. The owner's manual just says "Take to a certified technician, blah, blah blah..."

Fuzzy side up, or down?

[storme]

if it isnt as bad,,,,do it again next week....and run it on full hot then full cold a few more times....it will go away...

also you can get9here in the uk) some a/c disinfectant from various car centres...


it sprays disinfectant into the cabin...and with the a/c on full and in recirculation mode.....it sucks in the air from the cabin and eeps recirculating it for 10 mins


try and find some of that stuff....


ps serrations go down

[Ocean02]

Storme's the man. I didn't get what you said about

"also you can get9here in the uk) some a/c disinfectant from various car centres..."

What do you mean? I did use a generic disinfecant, but only on cold A/C, not hot. I'll try again this weekend.

Oh, which way does the filter go in? Fuzzy side up or down? I put it facing upward (I think that's how it was in before). I want to make sure the cover seals correctly and no air can get around the filter.

Does anyone have a photo of the properly installed filter? My owners manual doesn't mention how to remove this or install it.

Ciao,
Ari

[storme]

http://www.motabitz.com/index.php?cPath=160_161


try this link,,,,,its a uk site...but is for illustration purposes....it is a spray disinfectant....and it goes inside the car....

u press the button and it releases the disinfectant and a nice smell,,for 10 minutes...your a/c is set to full heat and full fan and recirculation mode for 10 mins

[Teh Prof]

Nothing is worse than the smell of an E39 5 series climate control system. The E46 shares some of its bad habits. Basically, the problem is mold; on the E39 I'm pretty sure it grows on the evaporator. The disinfectant method offered above is the cheapest way to deal with it.

[peterkulesza]

also: some people say that (if garaged) cracking the windows open lets it dry and minimizes the problem.

[Hootie]

Oxygen bombs baby! Gotta love 'em.

http://www.topoftheline.com/odbomairvens.html