Car has foul smell after using AC

[Hero_X]

Hey everyone,

I'm having some foul smell when turning my AC off or sometimes even when it's on.

I'm not exactly sure what it could be, but I checked online and found a possible solution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYlp9dm7AI


Is this a good idea to try on my Audi? Or is there something I can do alternatively to rid of the foul smell?

The AC still blows cold air, maybe not as cold as when I originally got the car but still decent.

Thanks for your help!

[Tik-Tok]

When was the last time you changed your cabin air filter?

[gpomp]

Probably mold growth on your evaporator. This is what you need to clean it: https://www.carzilla.ca/einszett-1z-...c-cleaner-85oz

[Hero_X]

I believe cabin filter was changed last summer.

That klima cleaner looks very interesting, but I am not skilled enough to remove trim and put it back together lol

and i'm also not sure if it's suitable for Audi A4.

Could it be the cabin filter? I didn't suspect it first because if it was the filter, it would've always smelled bad (regardless of AC).

[gpomp]

You shouldn't need to remove any trim. It comes with a long tube that you shove down the central vent

[roopi]

Originally posted by Hero_X
I believe cabin filter was changed last summer.

That klima cleaner looks very interesting, but I am not skilled enough to remove trim and put it back together lol

and i'm also not sure if it's suitable for Audi A4.

Could it be the cabin filter? I didn't suspect it first because if it was the filter, it would've always smelled bad (regardless of AC).

It's pretty easy to check it. Worth taking a look before looking at other issues.

In laws car had some dead mice in the vents causing the smell.

[OTown]

I have had the same issue since year 1. Happens after turning off A/C

I think its just moisture condensing off the AC unit giving that musty smell, but I could be wrong.

[Hero_X]

Originally posted by gpomp
Probably mold growth on your evaporator. This is what you need to clean it: https://www.carzilla.ca/einszett-1z-...c-cleaner-85oz

The product page mentions "do NOT apply through vents".

[GTR_Auto]

I have these and they do work well:

https://store.gtrauto.ca/products/klima-fresh

For a proper clean need to do something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJUWN__t5Es

[Hero_X]

Anyone with Audi tried this spraying out??

I read online instructions for Klima and it mentions pushing the tube into the fin of the blower, but I don't think Audi has the same location of the filter/blower.

I can't seem to find any videos on doing this either (for audi, specificaly).

Would I be able to access the blower and air filter on the passenger side, under glove box? or is it somewhere else?

[HiSpec]

This is the reason why the bottle says do not spray into the vents for Acura vehicles.

Klima Cleaner fries ECU

[Hero_X]

Oh wow...

so can i actually still use this stuff for my audi?

and if so, is it only through the blower fin?

[turbotrip]

you can buy the mold/mildew removal spray for A/C's at Canadian Tire. thats what you need to fix the smell.

[top_speed]

The smell is more common for vehicle that had ac recharged and the tech inserted dye into system to check for any leaks in the future, what you should do is turn a/c off just before reaching your destination to dry out the evaporated

[J-hop]

Originally posted by top_speed
The smell is more common for vehicle that had ac recharged and the tech inserted dye into system to check for any leaks in the future, what you should do is turn a/c off just before reaching your destination to dry out the evaporated

This would imply a leak if what you are saying is true wouldn't it? Dye shouldn't make its way into the cabin if the system is sealed.