Old Sock Smell

**deeps** · 28-02-2013, 05:49 PM

I've recently begun experiencing an "old socks" smell through the HVAC system in my Octavia. If the A/C is switched on, it goes away within a few seconds and all is good. The moment I turn it off, the smell returns.

I have removed the cabin air filter and it smells like old socks. Running without the cabin filter results in the same smell though.

I've tried spraying air freshner etc. through the cabin filter area and it helps for a few minutes before the bad smell returns.

Can anyone recommend a spray that works well for this stuff, and perhaps a better location to spray..

Google seems to indicate that a few VW vehicles have the same issue.

**Umai Naa!!** · 28-02-2013, 05:58 PM

You need one of those air conditioning disinfectant bombs.

They're like a flea bomb in the way they work. Sit it on the centre console, put the A/C on recirc, fan on, set it off, shut the doors, and leave it to do it's thing (stay out of the car, though!).

Put a new cabin filter in afterwards.

**deeps** · 28-02-2013, 06:03 PM

Interesting, i've never seen this before. Where does one purchase this bomb?

**Umai Naa!!** · 28-02-2013, 06:56 PM

One company I know of, called Fortron, does them.

There's probably more.

**fred27** · 28-02-2013, 07:10 PM

Auto Glym is another brand you could try, available from most auto stores. It would be more effective if you could access and get the spray directly on the evaporator fins.

**Umai Naa!!** · 28-02-2013, 07:16 PM

You could pull the old cabin filter out, and aim it up the slot.

**Martin** · 28-02-2013, 07:57 PM

The bombs are a cheap and cheerful work around - once you've used one, if you smoke or have fish and chips in the car the smell sticks to the bomb particles and it can be hard to then get rid of that smell

The problem is probably bacteria and/or dirt on the condenser which needs a chemical and physical clean
Take it to the dealer or an air con service specialist