Smelly Heater

[zendog]

My C5 2.0 HDi has recently started filling the car with a strange smell when the heater fan is turned on. It happens all the time regardless of what is in front so it is definitely the car producing it. The smell is a bit like the smell when you have a hose burst of stale heated water, water levels and temps all seem okay.

 

Anyone had a similar problem or any idea what may be causing it?

 

Thanks

 

ZD

[Guest gs fan]

My C5 2.0 HDi has recently started filling the car with a strange smell when the heater fan is turned on. It happens all the time regardless of what is in front so it is definitely the car producing it. The smell is a bit like the smell when you have a hose burst of stale heated water, water levels and temps all seem okay.

 

Anyone had a similar problem or any idea what may be causing it?

 

Thanks

 

ZD

Yes ... when was the pollen filter last changed ?? This can be replaced after removing the trim from under the glove-box area , if you look in front of the center console once you get the trim off you'll see two small bolts take them out and the filter pulls out , replace it ...about £20 I think. I also got one of those canisters from halfords that disinfects the ventilation system . Might be worth getting you air conditioning checked as well . This is a common complaint on C5's , mind you we've got a Vauxhall Vectra at work that smells like bad feet !!! Caused by moisture in the air from the air-con letting the bacteria grow....

[coastline taxis]

seem to remember something about condensation causing water in the bottom of the heater unit. Then goes stale and gives you the smell sure its as said by gs remove pollen filter and wipe inside with cloth and then spray it with antibactirial spray( from the chemist). Could be wrong though as its a long time since we done one

[mlkey]

My C5 2.0 HDi has recently started filling the car with a strange smell when the heater fan is turned on. It happens all the time regardless of what is in front so it is definitely the car producing it. The smell is a bit like the smell when you have a hose burst of stale heated water, water levels and temps all seem okay.

 

Anyone had a similar problem or any idea what may be causing it?

 

Thanks

 

ZD

 

The smell is caused by mold growing inside the air con, living off moisture which collects when the ac has been running. Best to remove pollen filter as mentioned in above post, then use a cleaning agent to spray into the pollen filter space, all over the matrix inside. then run the fan to circulate it through the system. You can get a special treatment from somewhere like Halfrauds, or use a mutli surface kitchen cleaner spray (which is what i did), just be sure it does not contain anything like bleach!

 

Once its clean, you can prevent further occurences by running the heater on full heat once a month or so for 15 minutes. It dries the system out and the mold does not get the chance to get a hold.

[paul.h]

I have used Dettol anti bacterial surface cleaner spray (non bleach type) available from most shops for about £1.70. You need to remove the pollen filter and then spray it in to the opening, preferably with the air con evaporator matrix cold and wet (after just running the air con) to catch the spray. Then leave for a while to dry out and kill off all the bugs before refitting the filter.

I have used this on a few cars and it works well, better than a purpose designed product which left the car smelling of apples but still a bit like a wet dog. If possible use a fine spray - I have bought a garden spray with a lance which I will try later which should give better access over the length of the matrix.

To prevent the smell/bugs recurring I usually turn off the air con but leave the fan and air flow going about a mile from the end of a journey so the matrix can dry out.