Bad Smell from A/C

[fbrown627]

I have a 2005 X3. A couple of weeks ago, a bad odor, similar to manure, started coming out of the A/c when I start up the vehicle. The smell goes away in a few minutes but this happens every time regardless of how long the car has been sitting.

I opened the hood and saw a small cake of what I think is dirt (2" x 1" x 1/2") on one of the alulminum hoses. It was caked and I knocked it off but the smell has gotten worse. (When I opened the hood there is no smell). I also went through the inside of the vehicle and found nothing.

Any ideas of what this could be or how to get rid of it? I'll probably take the car in to the dealer (it's still under warranty) but hoped not to have to waste a day.

Thanks.

[E36BMW3series]

Change cabin air filter.
Take to carwash and spray everything! Under body of car, engine bay, etc . . .

[illogik]

Might have a mould problem in the evaporator - even if it's not, might as well get this looked at sooner than later.

[eye145]

+1 on cabin filter, some times critters get in the car and leave debri.
Is it a musty smell? some evaps get a moldy buid up on them or in the housing causing that smell when first turned on.

[ohnoes]

Spray Febreeze or similar substance into the vents. Also, turn off the A/C and run the fans for a few minutes before turning off the car.

[kellie]

Change your cabin air filter. When you do that, spray an A/C deodorizer into the compartment where the filter goes while the A/C is running. It will kill germs built up in the evaporator and eliminate the smell.

[GR330ZHP]

Definetly try the cabin microfilters...it might help....

Also this is quite an extreme...but is your BMW kept outside or garaged?

Someone who I know found a dead mouse in his engine bay under the radiator! It wasnt the best smell!

A friend that I have who works on Audi/VW says he gets cars all the time with mouse nests in the engine bay somewhere...

Hopefully that isn't the case...hopefully its just the cabin filters!

Good luck!

[Colonel]

Should have posted in the detailing section, it's lucky that the thread caught my eye though! :D

You need this: http://www.detailersdomain.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=41

If you continue to smell something, the mouse nests theory would sound convincing to me, but definitely try that A/C cleaner!

[ohnoes]

Should have posted in the detailing section, it's lucky that the thread caught my eye though! :D

You need this: http://www.detailersdomain.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=41

If you continue to smell something, the mouse nests theory would sound convincing to me, but definitely try that A/C cleaner!

Ah, yes. Einszett--a great German company, also the manufacturer of the famed "Gummipfledge." :buttrock

Scratch the Febreeze suggestion; I couldn't remember the name of this product.

[fbrown627]

Thanks to all who replied.

My car is kept outside. Since it's still under warranty, I'll let the dealer change the cabin filter and check out the vehicle. It has another problem they need to look at it (steering column noise) and the vehicle is going to be recalled soon anyway for air bag sensor problems.

Does anyone know if any of the major retail stores--general or auto related--carry the Klima cleaner or is it only available online. (I'm also concerned it might cover up the smell when I bring it in for service.)