Smells From Front Blower

[marcr]

Hi all,

I've noticed a smell coming from the front blower. It only seems to be with the air con OFF. If i turn the aircon on the air seems ok. I guess i've got a damp filter or something under the bonnet but i can't work out where to look. Can anyone point me in the right direction????

[gregers]

pollen filter maybe?lift bonnet iirc its at the back on the right hand side underneath the wipers.

[MrT]

You can also get leaves getting into the area at the top back of the engine compartment at either side and these can rot and block the drainage holes here. This can cause a build up of smells.

[Mirez]

Do you get it when you turn off the aircon after its been running? Or if the aircon is off and you start the car you still get it? If its the later it could be the suggestions above, if its the former then its more likely bacteria/general foust! in the ducting - in fairness this is reasonably normal for cars with aircon - those stone cold vents are left to heat up quickly once the journey is over, leading to condensation forming in the ducts - damp dark ducts are just right for mould and foust and thats all it generally is - it should go away reasonably quickly after you first notice the smell but you can get chemical sprays to fix it - another tip is to try and turn aircon off about a mile before you get home and blow some warmer air out - if you have the discipline!

[marcr]

Thanks for the replies.

I was out there first thing this morning having a look. I managed to get at the pollen filter after removing the plastic bulkheady thing. It wasn't damp but am pretty sure it was the source of my smell as it was old and dirty. Couldn't get a new one today tho so just banged it clean and sprayed some concentrated air freshener stuff on it to take the smell off a bit. Seems to have addressed the smell for now. Will get a new one soon or might just leave it for the garage to do on the next service.

 

I bought one of those chemical cleaner sprays to kill of the bacteria in the air con while i was at it. Thought i might as well.

 

Just to drag the job out i managed to drop the retaining clip for the MAF sensor wiring down into the engine!! I needed to take it off to get the plastic out. Ended up taking longer to get the undertray off and back on again then to do the filter. D'oh!