Moldy evaporator coil E46

[E46Model]

I cannot get rid of the horrible moldy smell coming from the A/C vents. Is there a way to see the evaporator coil to thoroughly clean it without taking the whole dash apart. I have sprayed all the recommended chemicals in the vents and have had the dealer do their thing$$; and it still smells!!

[bishop1977]

try using a can of lysol or 2 to get the mold to die

[SLC]

I cannot get rid of the horrible moldy smell coming from the A/C vents. Is there a way to see the evaporator coil to thoroughly clean it without taking the whole dash apart. I have sprayed all the recommended chemicals in the vents and have had the dealer do their thing$$; and it still smells!!

This is the best way I have found
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/AC/smell.htm

[DavidF]

I briefly read through the given link above. To me, the easiest way to access the evaporator is by pulling the blower motor. About a 20 minute job to pull the motor and then you have virtually clear access to the entire evaporator.

[sockethead]

This product is available from autogeek: http://www.autogeek.net/wuachesytr.html
I've used it in several different vehicles...

[bishop1977]

bg frigifresh works well

[nathancarter]

This product is available from autogeek: http://www.autogeek.net/wuachesytr.html
I've used it in several different vehicles...

There's a similar product made by Einszett that does the same thing:
http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-...freshener.html

Autogeek used to have before-and-after photos of the evap, but the links don't work any more...

[Tylan71]

I bought the last 2 products on this page to use on a 15 year old car whose ac was RANK. Worked like a charm for ~ 30 bucks shipped. The biggest benefit came from the core treatment but I bought the interior fogger because the car had cloth seats and I wanted to get all the odors out.

http://www.ackits.com/c/coretreatmen...emoval%29.html

[beenyweenies]

I can confirm that Einszett Klima Cleaner works very well. Stupid easy to use, as well.

[mrcengr]

Spraying into the vents is useless. You have to spray into the air intake which is where the cabin filter is at the base of the windshield.....but this has a long way to go to reach the evaporator coil where the mold is causing the problem.

Also, this base of the windshield air intake is only good when drawing in outside air......so where the hell is the air intake when the system is in the recirculate mode ?

It's normally in the front passengers foot well area, but I'll be damned if I can find it there......or over in the driver's foot well area.

So the question is.......where is the air intake in the recirculation mode (no outside air).......so the cleansing / defunking spray can be sprayed into the system more closely to the evaporator coil ??????

[rbelton]

I think this is a good way to start if you have only 5 minutes of effort:



Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB4vgMyzpVw