Bad smell from air conditioning

[Antonio102]

Hi! A few weeks ago a bad smell started to go out from air conditioning, especially when i turn on the car. I've already changed air filters and cleaned the pipelines with Tunap Contrasept, but bad smell still here. Maybe do i need to bleed air conditioning?

[Jimbob]

Welcome
Not long now and an answer will appear!
Someone will have solved this problem before.

JB

[Bigfeet]

When you say you changed the filters did you change the pollen/cabin filter for the Air Conditioning?

[Antonio102]

When you say you changed the filters did you change the pollen/cabin filter for the Air Conditioning?

Yes, i bought 2 new Bosch filters

[lfcrule1972]

Do you run it all the time or only once the weather starts warming up ? I've experienced this in the past but only when the system has not been run all the time and then the water/condensation goes moldy.

[cyclone]

Bleeding the system will not help for the smell. The smell is external, as in stuff growing on the moist system components mainly the evaporator which is hard to get to with cleaning/disinfecting products. I am not sure as to how the piping for the vent system runs but if you can not take a pipe off to get good access then could try carefully drilling a small hole in the box surrounding the evaporator and spraying directly into that area moving the wand all around to get the best coverage possible. When done put a piece of tape over the hole.

[Antonio102]

Do you run it all the time or only once the weather starts warming up ? I've experienced this in the past but only when the system has not been run all the time and then the water/condensation goes moldy.

I run it every day

Bleeding the system will not help for the smell. The smell is external, as in stuff growing on the moist system components mainly the evaporator which is hard to get to with cleaning/disinfecting products. Could try carefully drilling a small hole in the box surrounding the evaporator and spraying directly into that area moving the wand all around to get the best coverage possible. When done put a piece of tape over the hole.

Thank you, i'll check it

[Bigfeet]

Yes, i bought 2 new Bosch filters

Good, then it's most likely as suggested that you have some mold or bacteria growth inside your Air Con system. Options are to buy a cleaner yourself (check the likes of Halfords) or have a pro come and clean the system (advantage would be a re-gas as well).

[seeby]

Had this problem on my van. Had the air con emptied flushed and re gassed. No probs now. Assume DS3 has same system .

[DaveB]

Aerosol cleaners, the ones you just set off & leave for a few minutes with the aircon running, have worked well for me.

[lfcrule1972]

I've used those in previous cars and the Corsa my fiancee drives, seems to work ok

[Old Bloke]

Simple first attempt.Get engine to normal temperature then run heater on full via the face vents with the air con on for 10 mins.
Second attempt aerosol cleaner, Comma, Wynns, or similar with the thin plastic pipe that connects to the nozzle, squirted down the vents.
Third attempt is the flush and regass.
Had this on a couple of Picassos and the air cleaner down the vents worked well.
Worst ever though was when a mouse got into the filter box on the C3!

[lfcrule1972]

I've never had to squirt the cleaner down the air vents, I've always followed the instructions and placed it in the rear footwell and set the aircon to recirculate

[Old Bloke]

That's a different type. The one I used was rather like a can of WD 40 with a thin plastic tube designed for squirting down the vents. The other kind is the air conditioning bomb that you leave in the footwell.

[cyclone]

From his initial post he has tried a disinfectant spayed in the vents all ready "Tunap Contrasept"