[dejase]

Hello .. i owned F30 2015 and recently, the air-cond has a musky smell after running awhile. Sometimes it happens when AC is switch on immediately while other times is halfway through the journey. The smell is just merely 3 to 10secs .
I have changed the cabin-filter but the smell is there. I went to a local AC specialist and he said, the coils design is very compact, leaving less space for evaporation thus allow mildew or mold to build out thus having that smell.

Any idea how to resolve this problem without changing the coils?

I saw in youtube, that you can pump in some foam-cleaner, which eventually helps to clear smell. I dont dare to it yet as i am afraid the off-shelf chemical might be worse .. Even worse, damaging the coil resulting leakage.

Thanks.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by dejase

Hello .. i owned F30 2015 and recently, the air-cond has a musky smell after running awhile. Sometimes it happens when AC is switch on immediately while other times is halfway through the journey. The smell is just merely 3 to 10secs .
I have changed the cabin-filter but the smell is there. I went to a local AC specialist and he said, the coils design is very compact, leaving less space for evaporation thus allow mildew or mold to build out thus having that smell.

Any idea how to resolve this problem without changing the coils?

I saw in youtube, that you can pump in some foam-cleaner, which eventually helps to clear smell. I dont dare to it yet as i am afraid the off-shelf chemical might be worse .. Even worse, damaging the coil resulting leakage.

Thanks.

There are two filters. One inside the cabin and one inside the engine compartment. There is also a way to make sure nothing is stuck and rotting away at the air intake. Search for "fan rattling noise". Some times leaves get stuck there. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=698453

This one is a guess and needs some research: may be able to spray some Lysol on the coils and let it evaporate.

[dejase]

Thanks. Let me check the post, which you have shared.
I changed a new inside filter and used Meguiars freshener but lasted a week before the smell comes back.

Did you encounter this problem and manage to solve it?

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by dejase

Thanks. Let me check the post, which you have shared.
I changed a new inside filter and used Meguiars freshener but lasted a week before the smell comes back.

Did you encounter this problem and manage to solve it?

I only have musky smell once a year in spring when I start using my A/C again after a few months of being off. It lasts for a half hour or so.

[chowser51]

Remove cabin filter and check for nastiness.
Pop hood. Start car. Open windows. Turn on Max ac. Spray lysol into the intake for 30 seconds. Switch to max heat. Spray lysol for 30 seconds. Switch back to max ac and spray lysol again. Then switch back to heat and 30 seconds of more lysol. Shut off car. Install new cabin air filter. Should be good to go.

Have never needed to do it to my bmws but constantly need to do it on our work cars (fords and dodges)

[Billfitz]

Use coil cleaner, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-9603...007PHD0S&psc=1

There are youtube videos how to use it.

[dejase]

Yeah, i am thinking of using the coil cleaner but not sure if would damage the coils since we are spraying the foams into it.
How did you do .. pumping from the cabin filter slot or underneath the car where the aircond water drips?

[Billfitz]

Underneath the car. I do it every two years or so when I've got it up on the jacks to change the oil. It doesn't damage the coils. I use coil cleaners on my home AC units as well, which is far easier, since they're easily reached to spray it on them. The car AC is a PITA because the coils are for all practical purposes inaccessible other than via the drain tube.

[dejase]

Will this method work? It is easier to do rather than jacking up the car.

Thanks.

[Billfitz]

I guess, but most of the cleaner doesn't make it to the coils, and there are better ways to clean the floor liner.