F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / TSBs and Service Bulletin > AC smell: I may have found an easier way to the evap coil
proTUNING Freaks
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-21-2018, 12:42 PM   #1
jkwhar
Captain
172
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: F30 328i Xdrive | F15 x35i
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (7)

AC smell: I may have found an easier way to the evap coil

I've been trying to tackle this issue for awhile. I've been looking and studying at images on eBay/google/etc of the blower motor assembly. The tube under the filter stood out and noticed that it goes to where the AC drain is. So today, I bought a can of AC foam cleaner, stick the tube as far as I can go. Gave it a few minutes and checked underneath the car and its slowly draining down the AC drain tube!

DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

The blue box I believe is where the AC drain is and the yellow box is the tube to the cabin filter cover.



__________________
Did my post help? Click "Appreciate!"

FOR SALE! Sport line Steering wheel with heated, paddle shifter, vibration motor, no airbag | EDM Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights (SOLD) | surround view retrofit kit (sold) | KAFAS2 camera and ECU | FLA camera(sold) | 6WB cluster (SOLD)

Last edited by jkwhar; 03-04-2024 at 12:26 PM..
Appreciate 1
khj24221.00
      07-21-2018, 03:03 PM   #2
perryo91
Captain
perryo91's Avatar
Uganda
372
Rep
936
Posts

Drives: 335
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkwhar View Post
I've been trying to tackle this issue for awhile. I've been looking and studying at images on eBay/google/etc of the blower motor assembly. The tube under the filter stood out and noticed that it goes to where the AC drain is. So today, I bought a can of AC foam cleaner, stick the tube as far as I can go. Gave it a few minutes and checked underneath the car and its slowly draining down the AC drain tube!

DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

The blue box I believe is where the AC drain is and the yellow box is the tube to the cabin filter cover.

View post on imgur.com


View post on imgur.com
So you're saying that a possible source of bad smell is from some left over moisture in that drain tube accumulating and it eventually travels inside the cabin?

Can you report if any foul smells are gone or if it smells different?
__________________
Hi
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 03:07 PM   #3
jkwhar
Captain
172
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: F30 328i Xdrive | F15 x35i
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by perryo91 View Post
So you're saying that a possible source of bad smell is from some left over moisture in that drain tube accumulating and it eventually travels inside the cabin?

Can you report if any foul smells are gone or if it smells different?
The drain tube (green) is my way of injecting the AC foam cleaner into where the evap coil is.
__________________
Did my post help? Click "Appreciate!"

FOR SALE! Sport line Steering wheel with heated, paddle shifter, vibration motor, no airbag | EDM Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights (SOLD) | surround view retrofit kit (sold) | KAFAS2 camera and ECU | FLA camera(sold) | 6WB cluster (SOLD)
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 04:00 PM   #4
perryo91
Captain
perryo91's Avatar
Uganda
372
Rep
936
Posts

Drives: 335
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkwhar View Post
The drain tube (green) is my way of injecting the AC foam cleaner into where the evap coil is.
Oooh so you're using the drain tube to go up into the evap coil.

I understand!

Did it help?
__________________
Hi
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 04:01 PM   #5
jkwhar
Captain
172
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: F30 328i Xdrive | F15 x35i
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by perryo91 View Post
Oooh so you're using the drain tube to go up into the evap coil.

I understand!

Did it help?
I haven't drove that car yet today. I'll report back once I do!.
__________________
Did my post help? Click "Appreciate!"

FOR SALE! Sport line Steering wheel with heated, paddle shifter, vibration motor, no airbag | EDM Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights (SOLD) | surround view retrofit kit (sold) | KAFAS2 camera and ECU | FLA camera(sold) | 6WB cluster (SOLD)
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 04:04 PM   #6
perryo91
Captain
perryo91's Avatar
Uganda
372
Rep
936
Posts

Drives: 335
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkwhar View Post
I haven't drove that car yet today. I'll report back once I do!.
__________________
Hi
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2018, 02:45 PM   #7
jkwhar
Captain
172
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: F30 328i Xdrive | F15 x35i
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by perryo91 View Post
I drove the car and the smell is gone!...for now lol. I'm 99% sure the method I used was able to get to the evap. Now it comes down to the choice of foam cleaner I used which was "Lubegard Kool-It Evaporator and Heater Foam Cleaner" (Klima cleaner was sold out at the time of purchase).
__________________
Did my post help? Click "Appreciate!"

FOR SALE! Sport line Steering wheel with heated, paddle shifter, vibration motor, no airbag | EDM Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights (SOLD) | surround view retrofit kit (sold) | KAFAS2 camera and ECU | FLA camera(sold) | 6WB cluster (SOLD)
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2018, 01:55 PM   #8
khj24
Lieutenant
khj24's Avatar
221
Rep
445
Posts

Drives: 2015 m235i
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: 713

iTrader: (3)

Think I am going to give this a try this weekend, that unit looks to be the same as what the F22 uses. I am assuming everything is working as normal and the smell being gone is the only difference?
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2018, 07:04 AM   #9
khj24
Lieutenant
khj24's Avatar
221
Rep
445
Posts

Drives: 2015 m235i
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: 713

iTrader: (3)

Update: Went ahead and gave it a go, I also used the lubeguard cleaner. The process is pretty simple, getting the cleaner tube through the opening is not easy and I was only able to get about 5 or so inches of tubing inside it. The cleaner really expands in its volume so I don't think you need to worry about it hitting the evaporator perfectly, the first time I tried the foam came straight out of the opening into the cabin, gave it an adjustment and it seemed to work just fine. I did it in 2 stages because it started to overflow into the cabin, I was watching it drain out at the same time. The diameter of the tubing is very important as anything wider than this product will be incredibly difficult to fit.

When you turn it on you get a pleasant minty smell that is very mild, this did seem to work, I think the biggest question is how long. Klima cleaner has a much bigger bottle and is apparently more potent so that might be a better long term solution.

Here are some crappy pics

This is what overflowed into the cabin, note the nasty color- this was more green than the pics show.

Draining under the car
Appreciate 0
      01-02-2019, 07:08 PM   #10
wicked510
Enlisted Member
18
Rep
42
Posts

Drives: 328d xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Berkeley, CA

iTrader: (0)

Lets bring this post back from the dead since there seems to be very little about this topic on the internet.

I found this kit with evaporator cleaner and air intake refresher on Amazon: (NOT AFFILIATE) for like $17
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It comes with a handy injector tube for the evap cleaner with a cone on the end of it. It is interesting that this part has two drain access points.

Any reason not to plug the interior drain and inject straight into the exterior drain? Typically you are supposed to hold it in there for a few minutes until it liquefies.

Toyota Service video: Can't be that different in our cars.


The main difference seems to be that in the toyota there is no escape for the foam like there is in our cars.
Appreciate 0
      01-02-2019, 09:00 PM   #11
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8149
Rep
15,935
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

That's how you should do it. The difficult part is that the drain hose is beneath the under body shield, so you have to drop that. It's about ten screws in all. Before dropping the shield run the car with the AC on until you see water dripping under the car. That's condensate coming out of the drain tube. When you drop the shield there will still be enough dripping out the tube to find it, tucked to one side of the drive shaft. This is what I used to clean the coils:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stick the cleaner injector hose as far up the drain tube as you can, but don't be concerned about getting it all the way up. The cleaner is under pressure, so it will make its way to the coils.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2019, 08:27 PM   #12
wicked510
Enlisted Member
18
Rep
42
Posts

Drives: 328d xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Berkeley, CA

iTrader: (0)

Awesome. Did any of the cleaner get into the cabin?
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2019, 08:47 PM   #13
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8149
Rep
15,935
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Not a drop. It did impart a slight lemon scent to the AC output.
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2019, 11:39 AM   #14
bavarianride
Brigadier General
1443
Rep
4,996
Posts

Drives: bimmer
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: northern california

iTrader: (0)

Can F30 AC evaporator coil be replaced through the blower unit? Or does it require a dash teardown for R&R?
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2019, 01:55 PM   #15
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8149
Rep
15,935
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

You have to remove the entire AC unit from the car. It's a major job.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nts/1VnYnp00yo
Appreciate 1
      01-13-2019, 02:57 AM   #16
bavarianride
Brigadier General
1443
Rep
4,996
Posts

Drives: bimmer
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: northern california

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
You have to remove the entire AC unit from the car. It's a major job.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nts/1VnYnp00yo
Oh well, so a dash tear down is needed then. In some Accords/Hondas the evaporators can be removed from under the glove box.


Last edited by bavarianride; 01-13-2019 at 03:03 AM..
Appreciate 0
      01-16-2019, 10:08 AM   #17
wicked510
Enlisted Member
18
Rep
42
Posts

Drives: 328d xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Berkeley, CA

iTrader: (0)

ISTA+ I found the BMW procedure and of course it involves a BMW special tool in case anyone is wondering. I plan to shape a wire hanger in that shape using the tube provided with my Subaru AC cleaning kit.
Attached Images
   
Appreciate 1
      02-08-2019, 05:04 PM   #18
mclark2112
Private First Class
mclark2112's Avatar
109
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Moorestown,NJ

iTrader: (0)

I'm going to ry to clean my evaporator tomorrow. Hope it does the job...
Appreciate 0
      02-16-2019, 04:28 PM   #19
mclark2112
Private First Class
mclark2112's Avatar
109
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Moorestown,NJ

iTrader: (0)

Well I used the BMW method, but without any special tool. I got the hose up and around the bend, and sprayed the can. It came out the drain under the car, so I assume it went to the right place, now to do a couple long drives to see if it worked.
Appreciate 0
      02-19-2019, 11:31 AM   #20
av.cr2
Enlisted Member
av.cr2's Avatar
United_States
20
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2015 BMW F30
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2015 BMW 328I  [0.00]
when everyone refers to a bad ac smell do you guys smell antifreeze?
Appreciate 0
      02-20-2019, 04:08 PM   #21
mclark2112
Private First Class
mclark2112's Avatar
109
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Moorestown,NJ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by av.cr2 View Post
when everyone refers to a bad ac smell do you guys smell antifreeze?
Somewhere between Antifreeze and Cat pee.


And so far, the smell is almost gone. I think I may do this once again to flush the system some more.

There is no residual chemical smell at all, and after a long drive, no puff of Cat pee when I come to a stop. I think I smell a little residual stink, but I'm really trying to smell it.

Edit: I used nextzett 96110515 Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner
Appreciate 0
      05-16-2019, 02:00 PM   #22
jkwhar
Captain
172
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: F30 328i Xdrive | F15 x35i
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (7)

Update: So to kick off the AC season, I went ahead and did this again, except I used klima this time. It worked a bit but still have the odor. My guess is, it doesn't reach the whole evaporator at the top. So back to the drawing board on this.

Also, I think the reason my first try worked was b/c it was masking the odor with a scent (Wasn't klima).
__________________
Did my post help? Click "Appreciate!"

FOR SALE! Sport line Steering wheel with heated, paddle shifter, vibration motor, no airbag | EDM Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights (SOLD) | surround view retrofit kit (sold) | KAFAS2 camera and ECU | FLA camera(sold) | 6WB cluster (SOLD)
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:36 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST