Smell coming from A/C & Heat - My Beetle stinks!

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

If you're not seeing results you may be too far gone and will probably have to have some of that mold/mildew killer stuff sprayed into the evaporator case. Once you are clean, make sure you follow the procedure I outlined above to keep it clean.

Edit 10/9/09: Wait - why did you take a "very cold ride" to work? If you don't need A/C why did you turn it on? You're just making the problem worse. Oh, and another tip - make sure your evap case drain hole isn't obstructed. That will cause water to "pool" in the evap case and creates a worse problem - in which case the procedure I recommended above ain't gonna work.

I did not have the AC on. Just the temp set to cool and the fan set to high. It was a chili morning so it was blowing cold air in my car for 10 mins.

I still have my appointment for the 26th to have the Frigi-Clean stuff blown in my AC evap case.

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by callisto9

I did not have the AC on. Just the temp set to cool and the fan set to high. It was a chili morning so it was blowing cold air in my car for 10 mins.

I still have my appointment for the 26th to have the Frigi-Clean stuff blown in my AC evap case.

Ah, I see. I keep forgetting the rest of the country is in Fall temperatures. We're still getting days in the hi 80's / low 90's here

Use the heater if you need to. Blowing air through the evaporator isn't going to help if you didn't have the A/C on. The point is to "dry out" the evaporator. The evaporator only gets wet if the A/C is on. (Assuming your drain hole isn't obstructed) Sounds like you just need to go thru a good cleaning.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

Sounds like you just need to go thru a good cleaning.

I think so, too. I'll keep my appointment with the mechanic.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

Yes it will. Debris at the filter can contribute to the problem but the real culprit is the moisture in the evaporator case. All air conditioners produce moisture - its the dehumidifying part of the conditioning process and is what produces the water drip under the car. The stink is coming from mold and mildew growing inside the evap case. Mold and mildew requires a dark, damp, warm place to reproduce. When you shut off the engine and A/C together, it produces these perfect conditions for mold and mildew. You gotta remove one of those factors to keep the mold and mildew from producing. Moisture is the only one you can control. To remove the moisture from the evaporator case, perform the following steps about a mile or two from your stopping point:

1. Turn recirculation switch to "outside air" position
2. Turn off A/C compressor
3. Turn fan on HIGH

If you don't want to start the process a mile or 2 from your stopping point you could do it just before shutting off the engine. But just make sure to run the fan (step 3) for about 5 minutes before shutting your engine off.

All cars with A/C are susceptible to the "stink." Some more than others. The Beetle, I have found, is VERY susceptible.

If you still have the "stink" then you need to start the process earlier (try 3 miles before stopping) or run the fan longer than 5 minutes.

I guarantee this process will eliminate the problem. Been doing it for years.

Well, I had the FrigiClean and the FrigiFresh treatment done, but the problem still seems to exist. I've also bee doing the recommended action above, and still, when the temp setting is on cold and the fan is on, it STINKS for several minutes.

I'm kinda surprised the Frigi stuff didn't work, to be honest.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by callisto9

I've read about this stuff: Buy Frigi-Clean® and Frigi-Fresh® | BG Frigi-Clean® and Frigi-Fresh® AC products | Frigi-Clean® and Frigi-Fresh® But don't know if I can drill a hole in whatever I need to drill a hole in.

Well, I had this treatment done, and it did not seem to work.

Now that the weather is getting wet/snow, the smell is coming back.

Anyone have any idea what part I could replace to get rid of this smell?

[jermnc77]

You might need to have your AC condensor cleaned. The evaporator coils can become nasty over time and bacteria can grow in there. I don't know how much it costs or even who will do it.. but I know it is a known problem with cars that have AC and age.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by jermnc77

You might need to have your AC condensor cleaned. The evaporator coils can become nasty over time and bacteria can grow in there. I don't know how much it costs or even who will do it.. but I know it is a known problem with cars that have AC and age.

Is that where this product is sprayed?
BG Products, Inc.
I did the Frigi-Clean stuff and the mechanic would have injected it into the evaporator case.

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by callisto9

Is that where this product is sprayed?
BG Products, Inc.
I did the Frigi-Clean stuff and the mechanic would have injected it into the evaporator case.

So there are several products on that web page - two of which are cleaners and yes, they spray into the evap case.

Did you ever check to see if the drain hole for the evaporator was plugged? I don't see where you replied to my previous post on this. If the hole is plugged, no amount of cleaner or drying out the evap case will solve your problem.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

So there are several products on that web page - two of which are cleaners and yes, they spray into the evap case.

Did you ever check to see if the drain hole for the evaporator was plugged? I don't see where you replied to my previous post on this. If the hole is plugged, no amount of cleaner or drying out the evap case will solve your problem.

I did not check to see if the drain hole was plugged. I'll have my mechanic look into that the next time I'm in (unless that's something I can do at home without jacks).

[jermnc77]

Originally Posted by callisto9

I did not check to see if the drain hole was plugged. I'll have my mechanic look into that the next time I'm in (unless that's something I can do at home without jacks).

I'm not a true expert, but I do know shadetree mechanics... If you check around the passenger side of the car underneath, you should see a rubber hose just pointed toward the ground. This will probably be coming out of the firewall, again, on the passenger side of the engine compartment.

I have heard that if you straighten out a coat hanger and GENTLY slide it into the tubing, if there is a clog, this will dislodge it. But be careful not to damage something.

Proceed at your own risk though...

[my99vdub]

Originally Posted by jermnc77

I'm not a true expert, but I do know shadetree mechanics... If you check around the passenger side of the car underneath, you should see a rubber hose just pointed toward the ground. This will probably be coming out of the firewall, again, on the passenger side of the engine compartment.

I have heard that if you straighten out a coat hanger and GENTLY slide it into the tubing, if there is a clog, this will dislodge it. But be careful not to damage something.

Proceed at your own risk though...

Is there anything INSIDE the car to check or would this *flap* described here be under the car? clear as mud, I know :-)

[jermnc77]

There shouldn't be any draining to the inside of the car at all. This drain should be on the outside of the car. Did you see this post by the guy?

:Found my little drain line. it's under the dash on the pasenger side of the car. it's about 1/2" in diameter and goes out through the firewall.

Mine wasn't plugged, but there's the info for those of you who need it... " Posted on Aug 18, 2003.

Another person commented:

"I am telling you all you have to do is remove the little flap that covers the drip tube at the fire wall. I did and ever since I don't get any smell. That flap traps water in the drain and it grows mildew."

and another....

"You're into the right place. I hit the insulation too and shuddered thinking this can't be right, but I dug a small screwdriver through it and lifted up the flap. Sure enough, there is a rubber boot under it. With my arm in this very akward position, I was wondering how I was going to cut this thing off. Instead I grabbed on to it and gave it a firm tug. It came off in my hand but I let go of it at the same time and haven't been able to find it, so I still don't know what it looks like. Haven't had it off long enough to report any results. Good Luck. "

[callisto9]

Would I have to get under my car to get at this? Meaning, would the car need to be up on a lift or something?

[jermnc77]

Originally Posted by callisto9

Would I have to get under my car to get at this? Meaning, would the car need to be up on a lift or something?

That I don't know... I would think that a set of ramps would high enough.

Just follow safety precautions!

[callisto9]

I really wish I could get a pic of this area so I'd know where to start.

[Pseudotropheus]

heater core. Time to remove the plenum box and swap it.

[Smileybug]

A bad heater core would give you that wonderful sweet smell of coolant, not the smell that callisto is getting. I know what that smell is. I get it in mine sometimes. But it does go away with use. I get the smell more when its raining and such. Definitely seems to be a musty odor.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

A bad heater core would give you that wonderful sweet smell of coolant, not the smell that callisto is getting. I know what that smell is. I get it in mine sometimes. But it does go away with use. I get the smell more when its raining and such. Definitely seems to be a musty odor.

Yep, that's the one. It's not coolant. I know what that smells like.

I want to keep Curby. This smell needs to go! However, I also need for it to warm up so I can get it properly diagnosed when it's good and stinky.

[Pseudotropheus]

Well, here is the thing if it is what is considered as environmental smell it will dissipate with time.

If it is a musty smell, your in cabin air filter could be the source and getting a new one, could fix the issue.

From what I understand though, they arent easy to change. They are shoved under the dashboard.

[Smileybug]

Nah they aren't a problem to change. A few screws and pop off the dash cover on the passenger side. I've changed mine, doesn't help. Still get some must. But again, mine goes away after the a/c is used for a bit. Usually happens after sitting and not being used.