Sour/acidic smell when starting car

[Lh77]

Hi all,

 

when my dad starts up his car, there is this acidic/sour smell that comes through the aircon vent... anyone has experienced such condition and what can be the possible cause?

 

Outside mechanic cant seems to find the problem... would like to see if anyone can help before sending back to C&C which charges 350 already just for sending in.

[Martmode8850]

turn to heater and full blast your air-con... after about 5-10mins check results.

[Lh77]

thanks, will try later...

what can possibly be the issue?

 

infact, the smell will be gone after about 1-2min of starting the car.

Just that everytime when we start the car got to smell this strange odour.

Will feedback result after testing this evening

[Ares]

When was the last time you serviced you air-con? It maybe due to mouldy air vents or dirty air-con filter.

[Clio]

confirm air con filter has mold.

do outside workshop should cost around $200 for your merc or $180 for your mitsu?

mechanic will never find the problem.

get the car to a aircon workshop.

dont use oil based in-car perfume.

oil evaporate than goes back into yout filter hence dirtying your filter.

when mold grows on it...the sour smell comes.

like your sweaty arm pit.

[Estrangable]

ami pur is considered as oil based?

[Lh77]

thanks...

tried the blasting of hot air couple of days back.. the smell seems to go away/ reduce for a couple of days... today getting bad again.

 

will send in to an aircon workshop... any to recommend? (address if possible)

so they will change the filter for the aircon... it's a merc so will be around $200?

[Clio]

i am not sure what kind of service u need.

i did a overhaul for $180

tomika at ubi...sorry but i dont have actual address.

try yellow page

[Clio]

does ambi pur looks like water to u?

[Josephtan1234]

I had the same problem when I sprayed Febreze on the carpets as well.

I remember also having the same problem with those air freshners you spray in the home toilets. In seems that they might have some acids that cause this sour smell. Its really gets into your nose. What I do is I drive with the air con on and the windows open in the morning for at least 10 mins. After a few days, the smell goes away.

I did not sent the aircon in for cleaning, best to leave it alone. Every time they open up the aircon system, they can cause leaks and if you run out of aircon gas unknowningly, you might have to change the compressor, which is major bucks. Best to leave it alone. try that.