Really bad smell when first turn on AC

[iDiesel]

Hi All

Recently whenever I turn on the AC a really bad smell comes through the vents for about 4-5mins before either I get used to it (urgh ) or it disappears.
It smells like dried kids spew...
I don't have young kids so can't put it down to why it's so bad.
In previous cars you may get a minor smell for a few minutes, but that was more like stale air rather than spew!

Any suggestions, things to check?

[ArdiL]

I had an Elgrand that was having same awful smell, it ended up being the filter under the passenger side dash. Replacing the filter solved the problem.

[Hillbilly]

Change the Pollen filter then


What does a dried Kid look like

[ArdiL]

Just a reminder, if the smell is really bad, then expect the unexpected when you come in contact with the filter , wont be a pretty sight or smell up close.

[notaGolfR]

So far my car is ok but it was a pain in all my previous ones. I figured condensation somewhere in the a/c was allowing mould/bacteria to grow while parked. I solved by getting into the habit of turning off cooling a km from home, turning up the temp and fan to max to dry out & it works for me.
In my wonderful old Nissan 200SX I had the condensation drain tube positioned where air rushing past would cause a venturi effect to suck out the vapour. Noticing the way drainage would slope, I also plumbed a tube forward to in front of the intercooler. That way, (at least only when going uphill), condensation would go onto the cooler. Pretty hi-tech eh?

[REXman]

Hi All

Recently whenever I turn on the AC a really bad smell comes through the vents for about 4-5mins before either I get used to it (urgh ) or it disappears.
It smells like dried kids spew...
I don't have young kids so can't put it down to why it's so bad.
In previous cars you may get a minor smell for a few minutes, but that was more like stale air rather than spew!

Any suggestions, things to check?

Mine does it too. In its first year my wife owned the car and had to pay VW money to clear the vent air ways or something. No idea what they did. But it’s already back again. Talk about poor design when you can’t use the air con.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PDMJO]

Happened to me too, but went away after about 30 mins of continuous highway driving.

Whatever it was in the filter must've found its way out.

[iDiesel]

Yeah, it’s been a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I can turn on AC and no smell...other times it’s rank!
where is the pollen filter BTW. Checked the manual but just says to check...with no description of where it is that I could find

[Hillbilly]

Open the glove box drop it down as per the manual is a rectangular box with reinforcing strips on it.. Did you not download the workshop manuals I posted a week ago in the Tiguan Mk2 thread Tells you everything in them

[iDiesel]

Thanks again HB
No, sorry I missed that thread. Will give it a look