Smell from car air conditioner

Car enthusiasts who bought an air-conditioned car often run into the problem of bad breath, running and ventilation systems. Instead of cool air, “fragrances” of incomprehensible origin enter the cabin, which means that a fungus has appeared in the air conditioner. The question is: how to remove odor from a car’s air conditioner. The easiest ways to solve such a problem with step-by-step instructions, you will find in this article.

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Where does the smell from the air conditioner come from?

Before you remove the smell from the air conditioner, try to find its source. The success of your cleaning depends on how correctly the cause is identified.

There can be several reasons for the appearance of “aroma” in a car:

1. Propagation of bacteria and fungi in the air conditioner. The most favorable place for the growth of bacteria and all kinds of debris is the evaporator. This element is the same radiator that cools the air. Air is drawn in through the cabin filter and air intakes, which passes through the evaporator and then goes back to the cabin. At the same time, a large amount of dirt and dust accumulates on the surface of the evaporator. During operation of the air conditioner, the evaporator has a temperature below ambient air, as a result of which condensation forms on it. When the air conditioner is turned off, moisture remains and heats with the dirt to ambient temperature. As a result, we have the best environment for the reproduction of bacteria.
2. The drainage system is clogged. The system needs to be cleaned, although this is already understandable without our advice. If the problem of weak airflow was added to all odors, then an evaporator or a cabin air filter seemed to clog. In a car, it is advisable not just to clean the filter, but to change it annually.

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How to get rid of the smell from the car air conditioner?

When there is a smell from the air conditioner in the car, you need to solve the problem multifaceted. First of all, remove all debris from the car’s ventilation or at least neutralize bacteria living in its corners. In order to get to the evaporator of the air conditioner, in some cases you need to disassemble the instrument panel. Doing this is not easy, especially if you do not have professional skills in assembling and disassembling car parts, you may not be able to do this without any help.

Therefore, we offer a simpler solution - apply foam, gas, liquid antibacterial drugs. Efficiency is certainly not the same, but the complexity is much lower.

Removing odor from an air conditioner with a gas antiseptic

So that the smell from the air conditioner in the car interior does not bother you anymore, the sequence of your actions for using this tool should be as follows:

1. Turn on the air recirculation mode in the passenger compartment.
2. Turn on the fan in the middle position.
3. Find the hole where the intake of cabin air passes (usually at the feet of the driver and passenger).

Important! A lighter can be used to detect the flow.

1. Position the antiseptic container so that the effluent from it is directed into the duct.
2. Open the bottle.
3. Close the machine and leave it for 10 minutes.

Important! The advantages of the method are the minimum of efforts, and the minus is the minimum efficiency.

Removing odors with a foam antiseptic

The use of this antiseptic is reminiscent of a cylinder with mounting foam and an extension tube. If you decide to remove the smell from the car’s air conditioner this way, when using, follow these instructions:

1. Remove the cabin filter.
2. Release the maximum amount of foam into the air conditioning and ventilation system.
3. Start the engine and warm up the cooling system so that the foam expands and passes on.
4. Wait 10-15 minutes until the foam settles.
5. Turn on the heater and work on different modes, while the foam will dry out and draw the antiseptic vapor into the system.

Important! The effectiveness of this method is higher, since the foam is applied directly to the system and there is a chance that it will reach the evaporator (if it is under the panel).

The use of liquid do-it-yourself antiseptic

The following method will require you to get the maximum penetration to the place of bacterial activity. To prepare an antiseptic, with which you can remove the smell from the air conditioner in the car, you will need:

• 0.05% chlorhexidine solution (500 ml). It is used for processing a medical instrument, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, surgeon's hands;
• alcohol (1 part to 5 parts of chlorhexidine);
• aromatic fragrance (optional).

The effectiveness of this antiseptic depends on the quality of the formation of steam, therefore:

1. To spray the drug into the system, use a spray gun to spray the plants.
2. Use this mixture to flush the ducts and evaporator.
3. Vapors must be sucked in through the recirculation air intakes with the fan on.
4. Also carry out the processing through the hole for installing the cabin filter, directing the jet towards the evaporator.

Important! If you decide to use household chemicals, then buy a specialized composition. Consult the seller in the car shop exactly which tool is more popular and has collected good reviews about effectiveness.

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How to rinse the air conditioner evaporator by disassembling it?

If your evaporator is located deep in the instrument panel, you can’t avoid disassembling the ventilation system. But the effectiveness of getting rid of bad smell will be 100%.

You have to:

1. Clean the fins of the evaporator radiator.
2. Rid plastic housing parts from dust and putrefactive fungus.
3. To clean aluminum parts, use the liquid antiseptic described above. If you do not want to make it yourself, then buy in a store.
4. To clean the plastic, use any household cleaning products.

Important! The fungus, even with direct contact, is very difficult to destroy, and at a distance it is even more difficult to do, so the most effective way to deal with the smell is to disassemble everything and clean it. The only drawback is that it is the most laborious. But keep in mind that the methods described above, although simple and effective in application, will never save you from organics (insects, seeds, foliage, dust), and they are then a “time bomb” that will constantly remind yourself of itself unpleasant smell.

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Recommendations for preventing the “odor” of an air conditioner in a car

1. Check the cabin filter regularly. Even in the intervals between replacement, pull it out and remove dirt and dust from it.
2. The effectiveness of the filter depends on its quality, so buy original parts when replacing, so you don’t have to pay more later.
3. Dry the evaporator before you park the car for a long time. To do this, turn off the air conditioner in advance (3-5 minutes) before arrival, do not turn off the fan until the end of the trip, so that the warm air dries the evaporator and eliminates moisture.

Important! Observing these simple rules, an unpleasant odor from the car’s air conditioner will appear extremely rarely or be completely absent.The main thing is not to ignore the need for regular cleaning of the climate control system, and then you can enjoy the ride in the car without worrying about your health.

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Causes of Odor and Removal Recommendations in a Home Air Conditioner

The unpleasant smell from the air conditioner at home can be felt almost immediately after installation. In this case, using the air conditioner is even dangerous, since it will do more harm than good. Do not rush to bring the air conditioner back to the store, but just figure out what is the cause of the “aroma”.

Causes of Bad Smell

Several factors can contribute to this phenomenon:

1. Fungi and bacteria have accumulated in the air conditioner. They may be contained in condensate that is discharged onto the street. To get rid of the unpleasant odor from the air conditioner at home, put a siphon. But do not take the siphon in the form of a winding pipe, otherwise the air conditioner may leak due to stagnation.
2. Smells accumulated in the room. In some modes, the air conditioner takes air from the apartment, and not from the street (when heated). Therefore, if the apartment has “aroma”, then the air conditioner will support this smell. Carefully monitor the smell in the apartment. Pay special attention to new furniture, plastics, synthetics, and plastic. In low-quality air conditioners, plastic can melt (especially when heated), and therefore the corresponding smell is felt.
3. The technique has not been used for a long time. If you do not use the air conditioner for a long time, then the water in the siphon can dry and when you turn on the equipment, an unpleasant smell is felt. To get rid of this problem, wait until the condenser is filled with the required volume of water. If after this the smell does not disappear, then contact a repair shop. The service center will clean the indoor unit and treat the evaporator with a steam generator. This procedure must be carried out once a year, even if there is no unpleasant odor. Therefore, we recommend that you contact a service representative before the start of the season.
4. The drainage is clogged. If the conditioner is not used in the winter, then the drainage can rot, which means there is an environment for the reproduction of bacteria. The first time you turn it on you will feel it. If the smell does not go away with time, then clean the indoor unit and disinfect.
5. Filled filters. Instructions for use indicate how long the filter needs to be changed. Watch this carefully.
6. Incorrect installation of the air conditioner. In this case, completely redo the drainage system. If water accumulates inside the unit, reinstall the device horizontally.

Ways to eliminate odor from a home air conditioner

1. Drainage. Modern models of air conditioners have a function that delays the fan from turning off after turning off the air conditioner. With this function, the evaporator is dried and various odors are eliminated. If your equipment does not have such a function, then turn on the ventilation mode for 5-10 minutes, and then turn it off.
2. Disinfection. In specialty stores, purchase an antibacterial treatment product. How to use these tools, we described above in the methods of purification of air in the car. In addition to professional products, use “Lysol”, which is sold in pharmacies. Treat the evaporator with this preparation, after which this agent will flow into the sump, and then into the drainage system. If the use of chemicals is ineffective, then you will have to completely disassemble the air conditioner and disinfect all the elements. For such processing, use the methods and methods described above.

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Today, there are many models that themselves fight bacteria and eliminate odors. When buying equipment, check all its positive aspects so that you do not have to deal with the problem yourself later.