Smelly Aircon with gti mk6

[gonsped]

I noticed my 6 month old Golf MK6 started to have odour issues around 15,000km. It started to linger longer especially as you turn on the car after it has rested for a while. Now the vehicle is at 20,000km and the smell has to go. It does not reek badly but its annoying nonetheless. I drive my vehicle up and down Brisbane to the Gold Coast so I rake up around 3,500km a month. The vehicle is parked outside the whole day and stored fully garaged at night.

I called up Norris VW and they quoted approx. $115 for the complete 10-15min bacterial flush and $65 or so for the cabin air pollen filter to be replaced (parts and labour), ie. close to $200 to get it done for you.

Looked up the internet, picked up the carbon cabin air filter (#1K2 819 653 B) for under $34 (inc. GST) at Highway VW in Springwood this morning, changed the cabin filter myself - literally takes only 5 minutes crouching under there. No tools required and turned on the AC, no more smell at all.

Prior to the new cabin pollen filter, even though the smell disappears after the AC runs for a little while, it does not completely go away, if I put my nose close to the vents, I can still smell that damp odour. After the new pollen filter - not a single smell, it's just neutral. Let's see how it goes in the next few days.

UPDATE 22/06/2012:
It has been 2,500km since the cabin filter change and still no odour =D

[regu]

I have just done the 30k service and had a AC flush done ($99) in addition to the filter change. I know its probably a rip-off but the smell is gone completely. I want to do the cabin filter change myself between services as it is pretty easy to do.

[laggster]

I visited my local VW dealer and asked for a cabin filter to suit a 2011 Golf GTi.
I was provided with a filter, part number: 1K0 819 644 B.

I asked, shouldn't it be part number 1K2 819 653 B, and the parts guy advised that they're interchangeable.
A quick peek in the box and the filter is white in colour. Isn't the 1k2 Grey? (Due to charcoal content?).
Must be a non-charcoal version? The parts guy say this one gets used in services all the time.

I'll see if I can get it side by side with what's in the car now and put up a pic.

[nat225]

my gti had the smelly aircon after 1.5 yrs and 19000km, noticed that during norwell runs when i turned off when on track and off off track.

replaced the in cabin filter, smell went away.

i also sniffed the old filter a bit and it smelled like an old vacuum cleaner bag!

i bought the filter fr ECS tuning for under US$20 and shipped it with other stuffs like 5 oil filters / 20 ltrs of engine oil / etc.

there's a DIY for mk6 golf in YouTube too!

[Piñata]

I have just done the 30k service and had a AC flush done ($99) in addition to the filter change. I know its probably a rip-off but the smell is gone completely. I want to do the cabin filter change myself between services as it is pretty easy to do.

Just a quick question for those that have done the AC flush at the dealer, what did the car smell like after? Did it lose the new car smell or become "Lemon-ish" or fragranced?

Or was it a neutral chemical smell and no more sourness after parking the car and that smell not coming through the vents?

Cheers

[regu]

After the AC flush the gym sock smell went away and it is just neutral after a day or so off a more chemical smell. I reckon it's worth the money to do in addition to 6 monthly filter replcements.

[Bassik]

Hey guys I've only had my car for about 2 months but now that it's been getting hot I've been using the AC more occasionally. I've noticed there is a real bad odour coming from the vents. I've spoken to VW but apparently it's not a warranty thing and they want to charge me $190 to get it fixed.

I have tried bobbing the car with anti bacterial bombs. I've run the AC for 10 minutes after use, I've also checked and cleaned the cabin filter.

My issue is I can't get rid of the smell and although The anti bacterial spray and Glen20 worked it only seemed to mask the smell and eventually it would get worse again.

VW did mention something about a pump being blocked. Does anyone know how to fix this horrible smell?

[OYE]

Hey guys I've only had my car for about 2 months but now that it's been getting hot I've been using the AC more occasionally. I've noticed there is a real bad odour coming from the vents. I've spoken to VW but apparently it's not a warranty thing and they want to charge me $190 to get it fixed.

I have tried bobbing the car with anti bacterial bombs. I've run the AC for 10 minutes after use, I've also checked and cleaned the cabin filter.

My issue is I can't get rid of the smell and although The anti bacterial spray and Glen20 worked it only seemed to mask the smell and eventually it would get worse again.

VW did mention something about a pump being blocked. Does anyone know how to fix this horrible smell?

Well, Glen20 does the trick for me all the time. Spray very well down the vents and close the vents. Then run the heater at a high blast for a few minutes with the vents closed. Finito!

But if the pump is blocked, that's another story.

[Transporter]

Hey guys I've only had my car for about 2 months but now that it's been getting hot I've been using the AC more occasionally. I've noticed there is a real bad odour coming from the vents. I've spoken to VW but apparently it's not a warranty thing and they want to charge me $190 to get it fixed.

I have tried bobbing the car with anti bacterial bombs. I've run the AC for 10 minutes after use, I've also checked and cleaned the cabin filter.

My issue is I can't get rid of the smell and although The anti bacterial spray and Glen20 worked it only seemed to mask the smell and eventually it would get worse again.

VW did mention something about a pump being blocked. Does anyone know how to fix this horrible smell?

Good independent VW specialist should be able to help you and it shouldn't cost that much when done as a part of the scheduled service.

[brad]

Replace the filter with a carbon impregnated unit.

Try reaching up into the AC from where the filter sits & check for leaves, etc and give it a wipe out with dry kitchen towel or a dry, clean rag. Also check the plenum chamber for leaves & the water drains (for blockage) down into the guards.

Pull the front guard liner off down where the mud flaps would be & remove any rotting vegetation (they fill up quick).

Ensure the AC condensate drain isn't blocked.

If possible, pull out the fan & clean all the blades & clean all the fan housing area. Vanilla or vinegar or metho should work to kill any fungus.

I find turning my AC off about 5 minutes from home helps dry out the AC housing.

nb: I rarely use my AC - maybe once a month. I just have the fan going & the windows down.