A funny smell

[bobs530i]

Every time i get into my 2001 530i and it has been sitting for a few hours and i turn on my a/c it has this smell that last about 5-10 seconds, my girlfriend says it smells like a outhouse, like urine. I really didn't think about it as that, but i knew that it wasn't exactly pleasent. Now it is stuck in my head that this smells like piss. Anyways, it goes away after that first start of the A/c and doesn't return until the next start from a cold start. Any answers?

[nshape8]

Check your a/d drain and make sure it isn't plugged. You might end up with a pool of water on your pas. floor (it's from condinsation) once it gets wet and mildew/mold sets in the you've really got problems...

[Torque]

Most of the cars I've ever been in do that... so I'm pretty sure it's nothing bad.

[bobs530i]

a few others have said that it is common on another board, thanks

[CiscoKid]

if you have ever watched a tekademics video, there is one whe a frog got into the ac vent (in the bottom, recirculation air) and got chopped up in the fan

[Torque]

Originally posted by CiscoKid@Jul 6 2004, 12:29 AM
if you have ever watched a tekademics video, there is one whe a frog got into the ac vent (in the bottom, recirculation air) and got chopped up in the fan

:lol: ok, i gotta go check

[TMac325is]

thats actually is only a common problem if you run your AC right before you turn your car off, and start it up again. youre right, what you are smelling is most likely mildew

remember: if you use your AC, a min or 2 before you turn your car off, turn the AC off and just run the air. this will dry out the mildew thats already there, and prevent any from forming. its easy to do, but even i forget to do it.

another way to prevent it.. keep those bimmer windows down and that sunroof open

[TWKTCC]

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/
Check in here... Under maintanance #12. It adresses this problem very well.
Regards,
Dave

[CBA]

disinfect your AC system...

[silverlea]

Get your freon gas replaced in your system at BMW dealer,and clean all the filters.
This problem always seems worse in cars that people smoke in.

Good Luck.
SILVERLEA.