Bad AC Odor

[dandataman]

Hello Gang,

I just bought a 2004 BMW 525, apparently the guy that owned it previously used to be a heavy smoker. Which means that anytime I crank my AC on, an extremly musty smell comes out. Not to mention that if the car has been sitting in the sun for a while the interior smells like it has been smoking in my absence...is there a way to flush the system out? Where are the filters located at?

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

what you can do it mix a solution or bleach and water usually 10% Bleach works just fine and put it in a spray bottle and crank the a/c up full and mist the solution into the intakes under the hood... let me know if this works for you! you might have to change the cabin filters or take them out then do this and then put new ones in... hope this works for you!

[dandataman]

Thanks Alpine for the response.

Please excuse my ignorance but where is the AC intake and the cabin filters located at? I would rather just change both filters it would be much cleaner.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

Originally Posted by dandataman

Thanks Alpine for the response.

Please excuse my ignorance but where is the AC intake and the cabin filters located at? I would rather just change both filters it would be much cleaner.

some of the smell may still remain then...
I dont know where the cabin filters are on your car i'll see if i can find out where they are and how to get to them! someone on here might already know

[CosmosBlack]

Remove the cabin filters from the engine compartment, I know on the V8's they are on both sides just at the left and right bottom corners of the windshield.
Then, use a can-spray disinfectant, like Lysol, and spray into the vent intake holes, where the cabin filters sit.
This is done with the fan at full speed (A/C can be off) and repeat spraying a few times in like a minute intervals. Leave doors open.
You may also want to drape some old bedsheets over your seats and areas of the interior, as the disinfectant could blow out of the A/C vents and get on everywhere.

This step should solve the problem, and you should have fresh clean scent thru' the vents, for at least a few months up to maybe 6 months.
It will return with time, and you will have to repeat the process.

Good Luck!

[winters97E39]

It would be a good idea to go ahead and replace those filters as well. They are a bit pricey (~$50 each) but it would assure a long life of clean air coming in the cabin.