A/C smells like something died inside!?...

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-17-2017, 08:27 PM

Greetings, only had my 2014 335i about 90 days and today was the first 80°+ day we've had here in the thumb of Michigan. Turned my A/C on today and it smells like something died inside. Wondering if there's something wrong that needs to be checked out, or maybe the previous owner never used it and it just needs to be run for awhile to clear it out!?...

justinnum1 · 05-17-2017, 09:00 PM

nail polish remover smell?

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-17-2017, 09:14 PM

No, but I do get that on occasion. Started noticing that right after I had it to the dealer for a small exterior detail a week after I had it. Kinda figured that was just the rubbing compound in the air of the detail department. The smell I get when turning the A/C on literally makes me think something crawled up inside it and died. Very foul, almost to the point you wanna gage. Left it on for a few miles with the windows down @ 55 but that's all I could take, didn't seem to be getting any better.

Slalom · 05-17-2017, 09:24 PM

I hate to suggest this, but mechanics have to deal with rodent issues every week. It is possible that a critter got inside and perished. Sometimes they nest in the air cleaner. Not a fun job but that is one of the reasons for mechanic's gloves

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-17-2017, 09:39 PM

You mean the cabin filter? I would think the dealer would of checked all that out!?... But after seeing what the air cleaner looked like when I installed my Dinan CAI, I wonder if they do anything other than detail the lease trade ins to make 'em look pretty for the lot???... Filter was filthy and the air box had all kinds of dirt in the bottom. Should of taken pics to take back to show 'em. I had to tap on it upside down, vacuum and then finally wash it out to finally get it clean....

Duperstar · 05-17-2017, 09:54 PM

I had the same problem and it was a leaking condenser. They replaced it under warranty. It was within the first 2 months after purchasing the car cpo. It's a 2014 as well.

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-17-2017, 10:06 PM

Really!?.. Well that sucks. My dealer is an hour away and was hoping I would have to take her back there for any work. I have a great import mechanic who is close and a BMW fanatic. Pretty sure warranty work has to be done at the dealer though!?... ? ... Not to mention they'll most likely void the warranty with my down pipe, exhaust and other mods even though they have nothing to do with the A/C...

RoundelM3 · 05-18-2017, 06:52 AM

Pretty sure a DP and tune don't make the A/C stink. The myth about "voiding your warranty" is just that - a myth. They may deny coverage for issues that could be directly attributed to modifications, but they don't cancel your entire warranty.

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-18-2017, 08:03 AM

I certainly don't disagree, but I've read posts that suggest otherwise. Suspension has nothing to do with the engine either, but I read about a dealership trying to deny work because of unrelated modifications. Guess every dealership is different, some are mod friendly and some aren't.

jparnes1 · 05-18-2017, 09:05 AM

Try this:

* Start engine, open the hood
* Open all windows
* Run aircon on maximum flow & maximum heat for a couple of minutes
* Spray a disinfectant (like lysol) into the aircon air intake (in engine compartment under the windshield) for 15-30 seconds
* Let aircon run for another couple of minutes

The Lysol will kill any mold/bacterial growth in the system. Use a real disinfectant, not just an air freshener.

That has worked wonders for me in the past with aircon systems that started smelling like dirty socks after a humid summer...

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-18-2017, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Try this:

* Start engine, open the hood
* Open all windows
* Run aircon on maximum flow & maximum heat for a couple of minutes
* Spray a disinfectant (like lysol) into the aircon air intake (in engine compartment under the windshield) for 15-30 seconds
* Let aircon run for another couple of minutes

The Lysol will kill any mold/bacterial growth in the system. Use a real disinfectant, not just an air freshener.

That has worked wonders for me in the past with aircon systems that started smelling like dirty socks after a humid summer...

Awesome, thanks for the advice! I will get some and try it. Hope this works, I'll probably change the cabin filter as well. 89° yesterday 49° tomorrow so I won't need the A/C a whole lot quite yet. Gotta love Michigan!?..lol...

chowser51 · 05-19-2017, 10:44 AM

listen to jparnes1. I've done this numerous times. Especially to our police cars at work.
And change your cabin filter.

What happens is when you shut the car off after running A/C, moisture is still in the system and starts to mold. What I do now is the last five minutes of my trip to wherever, I'll shut A/C off and just run outside air through my system. Haven't had the smell come back anymore on my personal car. work, can't get the guys I share the car with to do it so I keep a can of lysol in the trunk.

cosmicdebris48059 · 05-19-2017, 10:50 AM

Can't wait to try it out. I'm thinking this will work based on the smell and the fact that it just makes logical sense. ?

RPM90 · 05-19-2017, 02:15 PM

It's really pathetic that a brand like BMW, who expend a lot of time and energy into things that don't improve the actual car, can't figure how to make an HVAC system that doesn't smell bad. I had this same issue in my '09 135i, '12 335i, and now in my '16 340i. I don't remember if this happened in my '03 325i.

Yes, the system needs to keep blowing/circulating fresh air after the engine is shut down so that the moisture in the system can be dried in order to not have a nice environment for mold and whatever to grow. That can easily be done by programming the HVAC air blower to continue blowing fresh air through the system even after the engine is shut down.
That could help.

I try to shut my AC off for the last 5-10 minutes before getting home, but it doesn't always work because it depends on the ambient humidity. Also, some days I DON'T want to shut the AC off because it's just too freaking hot and humid, and that's why I turn the AC on in the first place.
Point is, I shouldn't have to shut down the AC in order to keep that nasty smell out of my car. These cars cost a good deal more than other cars that don't have this problem, so BMW NEEDS to fix this. It's not a new problem, it's a continual problem.

In my 135i I was able to change out the fresh cabin air filter myself, and spray disinfectant, which helped nicely.
I have yet to try it on my 340i. I need to look up the "how to" and location of that filter. It's probably in the same, somewhere in front of the passenger side, under a plastic panel that lifts up after removing the gasket/seals. Anyone changed that filter and can post a DIY with picts?

05-17-2017, 08:27 PM	#1
cosmicdebris48059 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	A/C smells like something died inside!?... Greetings, only had my 2014 335i about 90 days and today was the first 80°+ day we've had here in the thumb of Michigan. Turned my A/C on today and it smells like something died inside. Wondering if there's something wrong that needs to be checked out, or maybe the previous owner never used it and it just needs to be run for awhile to clear it out!?...
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05-17-2017, 09:00 PM	#2
justinnum1 Major General 651 Rep 5,803 Posts Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	nail polish remover smell? __________________ F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
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05-17-2017, 09:14 PM	#3
cosmicdebris48059 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	No, but I do get that on occasion. Started noticing that right after I had it to the dealer for a small exterior detail a week after I had it. Kinda figured that was just the rubbing compound in the air of the detail department. The smell I get when turning the A/C on literally makes me think something crawled up inside it and died. Very foul, almost to the point you wanna gage. Left it on for a few miles with the windows down @ 55 but that's all I could take, didn't seem to be getting any better.
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05-17-2017, 09:24 PM	#4
Slalom Major 509 Rep 1,345 Posts Drives: 04 Z4, 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa and Collelongo (AQ) Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Z4 [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [10.00]	I hate to suggest this, but mechanics have to deal with rodent issues every week. It is possible that a critter got inside and perished. Sometimes they nest in the air cleaner. Not a fun job but that is one of the reasons for mechanic's gloves
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05-17-2017, 09:39 PM	#5
cosmicdebris48059 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	You mean the cabin filter? I would think the dealer would of checked all that out!?... But after seeing what the air cleaner looked like when I installed my Dinan CAI, I wonder if they do anything other than detail the lease trade ins to make 'em look pretty for the lot???... Filter was filthy and the air box had all kinds of dirt in the bottom. Should of taken pics to take back to show 'em. I had to tap on it upside down, vacuum and then finally wash it out to finally get it clean....
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05-17-2017, 09:54 PM	#6
Duperstar Private First Class 23 Rep 113 Posts Drives: G30 540 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	I had the same problem and it was a leaking condenser. They replaced it under warranty. It was within the first 2 months after purchasing the car cpo. It's a 2014 as well.
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05-17-2017, 10:06 PM	#7
cosmicdebris48059 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Really!?.. Well that sucks. My dealer is an hour away and was hoping I would have to take her back there for any work. I have a great import mechanic who is close and a BMW fanatic. Pretty sure warranty work has to be done at the dealer though!?... ? ... Not to mention they'll most likely void the warranty with my down pipe, exhaust and other mods even though they have nothing to do with the A/C...
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05-18-2017, 06:52 AM	#8
RoundelM3 Major General 1833 Rep 6,987 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Pretty sure a DP and tune don't make the A/C stink. The myth about "voiding your warranty" is just that - a myth. They may deny coverage for issues that could be directly attributed to modifications, but they don't cancel your entire warranty. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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05-18-2017, 08:03 AM	#9
cosmicdebris48059 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I certainly don't disagree, but I've read posts that suggest otherwise. Suspension has nothing to do with the engine either, but I read about a dealership trying to deny work because of unrelated modifications. Guess every dealership is different, some are mod friendly and some aren't.
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05-18-2017, 09:05 AM	#10
jparnes1 Colonel 241 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Try this: * Start engine, open the hood * Open all windows * Run aircon on maximum flow & maximum heat for a couple of minutes * Spray a disinfectant (like lysol) into the aircon air intake (in engine compartment under the windshield) for 15-30 seconds * Let aircon run for another couple of minutes The Lysol will kill any mold/bacterial growth in the system. Use a real disinfectant, not just an air freshener. That has worked wonders for me in the past with aircon systems that started smelling like dirty socks after a humid summer... __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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05-19-2017, 10:44 AM	#12
chowser51 Colonel 2025 Rep 2,808 Posts Drives: F33 430 and F39 M35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW 430i xDrive [0.00]	listen to jparnes1. I've done this numerous times. Especially to our police cars at work. And change your cabin filter. What happens is when you shut the car off after running A/C, moisture is still in the system and starts to mold. What I do now is the last five minutes of my trip to wherever, I'll shut A/C off and just run outside air through my system. Haven't had the smell come back anymore on my personal car. work, can't get the guys I share the car with to do it so I keep a can of lysol in the trunk.
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05-19-2017, 10:50 AM	#13
cosmicdebris48059 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Can't wait to try it out. I'm thinking this will work based on the smell and the fact that it just makes logical sense. ?
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05-19-2017, 02:15 PM	#14
RPM90 Major General 890 Rep 7,047 Posts Drives: 340i M-sport AT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	It's really pathetic that a brand like BMW, who expend a lot of time and energy into things that don't improve the actual car, can't figure how to make an HVAC system that doesn't smell bad. I had this same issue in my '09 135i, '12 335i, and now in my '16 340i. I don't remember if this happened in my '03 325i. Yes, the system needs to keep blowing/circulating fresh air after the engine is shut down so that the moisture in the system can be dried in order to not have a nice environment for mold and whatever to grow. That can easily be done by programming the HVAC air blower to continue blowing fresh air through the system even after the engine is shut down. That could help. I try to shut my AC off for the last 5-10 minutes before getting home, but it doesn't always work because it depends on the ambient humidity. Also, some days I DON'T want to shut the AC off because it's just too freaking hot and humid, and that's why I turn the AC on in the first place. Point is, I shouldn't have to shut down the AC in order to keep that nasty smell out of my car. These cars cost a good deal more than other cars that don't have this problem, so BMW NEEDS to fix this. It's not a new problem, it's a continual problem. In my 135i I was able to change out the fresh cabin air filter myself, and spray disinfectant, which helped nicely. I have yet to try it on my 340i. I need to look up the "how to" and location of that filter. It's probably in the same, somewhere in front of the passenger side, under a plastic panel that lifts up after removing the gasket/seals. Anyone changed that filter and can post a DIY with picts?
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