In the last 5,000 miles I have taken my car in twice for a stinky AC smell. The AC smells of mold only for about the first 30 seconds to 1 minute of operation. After that it's just fine.

All the dealer has done is clear out the pipes and spray some anti-mildew chemicals in the system. About 1 1/2 weeks after the last attempt it has started to stink again. Anyone have this problem?? What was the solution?

Thanks,
Rakesh

The return of the smell indicates that the fungal spores still in your system were not killed by the antifungal agents used by the dealer. The fungus has regrown inside the ductwork and probably around the condenser. About six months ago, Pat Goss on Motorweek talked about this problem and how difficult it can be to eradicate. He showed a commercially-available foam spray that is supposedly the best cure for the problem, short of taking the ducting apart and disinfecting it thoroughly. I remember the stuff bubbling out from the vents on the dashboard, but I cannot remember the name of the product. He also showed how a Lysol spray could be used upstream of the air intake (perhaps with the pollen filter removed) to get rid of the spores. I am not sure if the Pat Goss or the other Motorweek folks have a website, but they can probably be reached through www.pbs.org.

Steve W (99.5 Avant 1.8TQMSS)

I have had this problem and used Lysol. Although it did take of the problem immediately, the problem did reappear after many months. The only thing I would recommend if you do this is to use unscented Lysol or you will have a flowerly smell in your car for days.

-henri

someone told me this a few years ago and it seems to help. Never turn off the engine if the A/C compressor is still on. In other words, as you reach your destination, turn off the compressor and let the fan keep running for a while. This seems to help "flush" the system of pathogens.

And repeated applications are often necessary over time to kill the spores. An initial spraying may kill the smell but not the all the spores.

nt

I have never had the mold smell in any car I owned. Other family members have, and had the same car at the same time as me.

Comparing notes....I "ALWAYS" have my recircultion turned on when I use the A/C. Other family members use the outside air and the recirc. occassionally with the A/C.

The A4 in auto mode will change between the recirc. and outside air as it feels like. You must turn the recirc. on manually each time you use the A/C to minimize or eliminate the odor!

-

They didn't tell me the exact brand of spray which was used unfortunately.

Thanks,
Rakesh

Where do you suggest spraying the Lysol? I have a similar problem and would like to get rid of it!

Thanks,
SpencerW
Pearl '97 1.8tqms

1) Open the hood
2) On the right side of the car (it will be to your left if you are facing the windshield is a box with a plastic piece held in by a screw and I believe a long plastic/rubber thingie covering part of the window. You will need to remove the plastic/rubber piece which covers the bottom edge of the windshield.
3) Once you have the box open, remove the air filter, and spray several times as far down as you can.

If someone who has a digital camera can try this and then post the pictures, that would be nice.

-henri

I ALWAYS have recirc on with AC and I have had the problem twice separated by many months.

-henri