Pollen Filter

[KeithC5]

I have a musty smell in my 2005 C5 after driving, I think it may be the pollen filter as when I left it parked for 2 weeks at the airport, there was no smell when I first got back in, but again after driving it appears. Is it an easy item to change? where is it please? is there anything else that could cause this?

 

Thanks

[paul.h]

Access to the pollen filter is in the right side of the front passenger footwell - not too difficult to replace.

 

If the air con is used a lot/all the time, the musty smell is more likely from the air con heat exchanger (evaporator) which is in the same compartment as the pollen filter. With the air con in use there is condensation of water on the matrix since it is cold - if the air con is not switched off say a mile before stopping, this water does not quickly dry and mould forms. You will notice the smell most just after switching the air con off but with the blower still on.

 

If you go on the Picasso forum, there is lots of info on this. You can buy aerosol sprays to remove the mould but Dettox spray surface cleaner (none bleach type) is very effective and cheap and does not replace the smell with such as apple smells. You need to spray a fine mist into the filter compartment and onto the matrix (pollen filter removed), preferably with it cold. If you can get a flexible pipe with a spray on the end this will help access. You may need to do this more than once then say once a year. I have used Dettox on a Saab 9-5, C3 and C5 and it has worked each time.

[DaveHerns]

Is the pollen filter in the same place on a 2006 Mk 2 C5 ? I can't see any removable panels

[paul.h]

Mark 1 and 2 are in the same place. First you need to remove the horizontal panel above your feet. The pollen filter is then on the right as a black vertical rectangle, could be held in by clips or 2 hard to get at screws. Once unfastened just pull it to the left.

[DaveHerns]

Mark 1 and 2 are in the same place. First you need to remove the horizontal panel above your feet. The pollen filter is then on the right as a black vertical rectangle, could be held in by clips or 2 hard to get at screws. Once unfastened just pull it to the left.

 

Job done . One clip and a 6mm bolt on mine .Squirt of Dettox and blew the dirt off the pollen filter (for now) and car smells nice and I'm sure more air is coming out of the vents. Simple jobs like this and stopping the back brakes squealing and I start thinking I can work on these new cars after all !