Stinky air conditioning.. whats the culprit?

[MCD]

Well, used the aircon for first time on Friday, driving down to PVS.... it stank so much we had to open the windows & turn it off!

It works fine, gets cold etc.. but minging smell.... does this mean it needs a re-gas? or is there a common fault or thing to change?

The car is a 78,000miler, so not complaining, i guess it just needs some maintenance on the aircon... but what?

Cheers

Mike

[glenboy]

Its the bacteria that builds up in the system,there's another thread running about this mitch...........

And a few more here................

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/search...archid=3354687

[FIL 4822]

Get down to Halfords for an Air-con bomb !
It will sanitise the system for you and smell nice and fresh.

Think Holts make them and are about £14 and take about 5 mins to do.
Dealers will charge you about £40 !

[deanos]

You need to run your aircon at least once a week even in winter , stops its smelling

[Big Sig]

Also try a dettol anti-bac spray while the A/C is on in behind the pollen filter. Works the same as a bug bomb Just make sure if you try the dettol that the A/C isn't on recirc.

[Vaux-Man-G]

I had the same issue mate.

It drive me insane to say the least. Have a read of the above link I have posted as there is some good advice there.

Lidl do a good product, and its cheap too!

Hope you get it sorted as I know the kind of smell you are getting and its fugly!!

[Jezzy]

Tesco used to do a can for a fiver...they might still do.

[MCD]

Thanks for all the help guys!

Were do i stick this stuff? Behind the pollen filter or summit??

Mike

[FIL 4822]

If you use the 'bomb' all you do is start the engine up, slide the passenger seat forward as far as it will go and wind it forward on the back rest knob.

Put your air-con on full power and on re-circulate, set the bomb off and you'll see it empty in a spray/gas. when it's stopped spraying, let the car run for another 5 mins.
Open up your doors and let the vapours out.
Job done.

Just had a look on the Halfords website its £11.73.

[Daywalker]

the lidl one is cheaper and does the same thing