Mildew smell from the Aircon

[Suhaimiebrahim]

Hi all bros,

 

Recently when switching on the aircond, there is stale like mildew smell coming from the vent. This will be over after about 5 mins.

 

Sent the car to a workshop and the technician mention that the cooling coil might be leaking and proceed to check the pressure by using some kind of pressure gauge.

 

While doing that another older guy take a look and mention that the compressor is weak.

 

At this point I'm a little confuse to which is the real problem.

 

It was mention that replacement cost about $600+ to rectify the problem.

 

Any bros here encounter such problem and who should I listen too?

 

Car is 2006 Camry.Cheers.

[Mustank]

Hi all bros,

 

Recently when switching on the aircond, there is stale like mildew smell coming from the vent. This will be over after about 5 mins.

 

Sent the car to a workshop and the technician mention that the cooling coil might be leaking and proceed to check the pressure by using some kind of pressure gauge.

 

While doing that another older guy take a look and mention that the compressor is weak.

 

At this point I'm a little confuse to which is the real problem.

 

It was mention that replacement cost about $600+ to rectify the problem.

 

Any bros here encounter such problem and who should I listen too?

 

Car is 2006 Camry.Cheers.

That time I spray fabreeze and detot on the seats

Then leave it under the sun

The aircon smelly

Now I no spray, ok

 

Maybe is car perfume?

[Watwheels]

2006 car? Deregister the car take bus take train which have got working aircon.

[Adrianli]

Turn on the heater to maximum and drive around with windows down. The heat will kill the mould in the evaporator which is the cause of the smell.

 

Check and change aircon filter to one with charcoal, it helps removing odour too.

[Watwheels]

Turn on the heater to maximum and drive around with windows down. The heat will kill the mould in the evaporator which is the cause of the smell.

 

Check and change aircon filter to one with charcoal, it helps removing odour too.

 

It's not recommended to turn up the heat to the max at one go. Do it gradually, increasing the temperature a few notches at a time and let it settle before turning it up again. The sudden expansion when turning up the heat might cause the evaporator to crack. 

 

But looking at a 10yo car if the aircon system is hardly maintained I think it's about time to replace the system. Since there's no mention about the future of this car it's anyone's guess.

Edited February 22, 2016 by Watwheels

[Suhaimiebrahim]

Turn on the heater to maximum and drive around with windows down. The heat will kill the mould in the evaporator which is the cause of the smell.

 

Check and change aircon filter to one with charcoal, it helps removing odour too.

 

Thanks Adrianli,

 

Did the first part of your advise recently, but little improvement.

 

Shall try the second part to change the filter.

 

Cheers!!

[Adrianli]

Thanks Adrianli,

 

Did the first part of your advise recently, but little improvement.

 

Shall try the second part to change the filter.

 

Cheers!!

 

Do it more often, esp when reaching home, switch to heater and let it run for 5mins. It does helps. I did all these + buy more car air freshener.

[Vratenza]

Hi all bros,

 

Recently when switching on the aircond, there is stale like mildew smell coming from the vent. This will be over after about 5 mins.

 

Sent the car to a workshop and the technician mention that the cooling coil might be leaking and proceed to check the pressure by using some kind of pressure gauge.

 

While doing that another older guy take a look and mention that the compressor is weak.

 

At this point I'm a little confuse to which is the real problem.

 

It was mention that replacement cost about $600+ to rectify the problem.

 

Any bros here encounter such problem and who should I listen too?

 

Car is 2006 Camry.Cheers.

 

I will ask myself if this workshop is trustworthy.

 

From mildew smell suddenly say leak here/there, then add on compressor weak....

 

Give you an analogy:

You walk into a mobile phone shop asking to fix a screen occasional flicker issue, the young shopkeeper gave it a quick look say need to change the LCD screen and will cost you $X, you agreed, boss looked on from corner, saw you did not flinch at $X quote, walk over, pick up your phone, fiddle abit more, tell you actually you also need to change your circuit board for additional $Y...he observe your reaction, when you said to go ahead with the repair for $X+Y,  during the repair, he tells you that you need to change another faulty component as it is only discovered during repair process. It will cost your $Z. But he say since you are a good customer, he will give you 10% discount for $X+Y+Z. 

 

go to another reputable aircon specialist shop for a 2nd opinion. Do not tell them what you were told by the first workshop. Let them assess the problem independently. 

Edited February 22, 2016 by Vratenza

[Kb27]

Aircon "smell" is just bacteria growth on the cooling coil.

But it's a good time to carrot you into changing many parts costing hundred of dollars.

 

Whichever workshop that is telling you to change compressor or cooling coil, you should simply stop going to them.

Bcuz they will be looking to charge you to change unnecessary parts.

 

Get a spray that kills bacteria growth and find the source.

 

The coil is usually behind the aircon filter (if any).

Edited February 22, 2016 by Kb27

[Atrecord]

I had the same problem maybe 2-3 yr ago, when my car was 7-8 yo.

 

Did all those, switched off a/c, raise temp to max gradually for a few times. Even took longer route for it to have effect, as my workplace is very near my home.

 

Bought charcoal deodorant to put inside car too… but the smell remained.

 

But the smell in my car was not really unbearable. It will last less than 1 min after a/c is on. I lived with it for about 2-3 mth, or more.

 

Then one day the a/c stopped giving cold air, and only had hot air.

 

Went to a/c workshop and was diagnosed as cooling coil conked off, need to replace. I told the mechanic the problem with the smell, and he told me must be the cooling coil was leaking that gave the smell, and said with the cooling coil replaced, smell should go away.

 

No choice anyway, so went ahead.

 

True enough, after the replacement, the a/c super cold, and the smell no more...

 

If TS plan to renew COE, then suggest to sort it out. If not, can consider living with it - until a time if it really conk off big-time no choice need to replace. 

[Hamburger]

compressor spoilt?

 

first and foremost, is the air con cold enough or not.

 

seriously….

[Vratenza]

to get rid of mildew smell:

- get some dettol surface spray

 

- find a non sheltered hot and sunny spot (preferably within line of sight with a nice cool kopitiam)

 

- start at 12 noon ==>

-- spray the dettol surface spray into all the vent outlet area

-- spray the detool surface spray into the air intake area (look for your car's manual or online resources to see where is it located)

-- switch on engine, set the aircon to manual mode

-- turn up all the heating function of the car

-- set to external circulation

-- max out the blower power for the aircon

-- shut all the doors with the windows closed.

 

- walk to the kopitiam, order your favourite drink and chill for 30-60 min.

[nakajima]

If your aircon cold still means live with it. But stinky normally is the beginning signs of cooling coil conking off. 

[Galantspeedz]

to get rid of mildew smell:

- get some dettol surface spray

 

- find a non sheltered hot and sunny spot (preferably within line of sight with a nice cool kopitiam)

 

- start at 12 noon ==>

-- spray the dettol surface spray into all the vent outlet area

-- spray the detool surface spray into the air intake area (look for your car's manual or online resources to see where is it located)

-- switch on engine, set the aircon to manual mode

-- turn up all the heating function of the car

-- set to external circulation

-- max out the blower power for the aircon

-- shut all the doors with the windows closed.

 

- walk to the kopitiam, order your favourite drink and chill for 30-60 min.

 

leave car engine on and go kopitiam for 30-60mins??????????????????????????

[Adrianli]

If your aircon cold still means live with it. But stinky normally is the beginning signs of cooling coil conking off. 

 

Why stinky = cooling coil conking off?

 

 

Refrigerant got no smell one.

 

Cooling coil is a closed system. It is physically hidden.

[Adrianli]

leave car engine on and go kopitiam for 30-60mins??????????????????????????

 

This one is waiting for NEA come and catch.

[Vratenza]

leave car engine on and go kopitiam for 30-60mins??????????????????????????

 

well that's what I did for my old car. Cannot find near by kopitiam, so stood under tree for 30 min. Cannot tahan the heat after 30min, decide to end the "treatment".

 

30min should be the minimum amount of time most people who park at dark isolated carparks "enjoying the sound of crickets and view of the stars"

This one is waiting for NEA come and catch.

 

Yes, was waiting, but non appear.... sigh

[Kb27]

In every cooling system (refrigeration units or aircon), there is a expansion or cooling coil.

This is where the gas is allowed to expand and absorb heat.

 

When a fan blows ambient air over it, the air is cooled and you get "aircon"

 

The problem is when the aircon is switched off, after you parked your car, the cooling coil is still cold for the next 20mins or so.

Bcuz of our humid weather, water condensed on the coil.

 

Most of the water will drained off through the discharge hose, but some hang around.

 

Bacteria, algae, mold start to grow around these areas.

 

The next time, you start your engine and blower, the stinking smell is the first thing you get.

 

So when you get rid of the water, you get rid of the bacteria/algae, you get rid of the smell.

 

If your aircon is not cold, it's another matter. The cooling coil could have corroded due to all those water and leak gas.

In that case, it has to be replaced.