Bad smell from the air conditioner: reasons and solutions

The bad smell from a car air conditioner is often due to the cabin filter, which should not be neglected to be replaced every year. But it can also happen due to a refrigerant gas leak or bacteria build-up in the air conditioning system.

🚗 Why does the air conditioner smell bad?

If you smell a bad smell when you turn on the air conditioner in your car, this is usually a sign mold problem in your air conditioning circuit. But it could also be a problem with the cabin filter.

Cabin filter clogged or damaged

Located at the end of the air conditioning circuit, Cabin FilterIt is used to clean the outside air of pollutants and allergens before it enters the passenger compartment. Over time, it becomes dirty with dust, dirt, pollen. This debris, added to the humidity of the environment, creates mold.

The cabin filter must be changed periodically. Some types of filters can also be cleaned and reused.

The condenser or evaporator is moldy.

Le capacitorиevaporator are two parts of your air conditioning system. Both are highly susceptible to mold growth as they are permeable to moisture and therefore create an ideal habitat for bacteria.

🔧 How to get rid of unpleasant air conditioner odors?

Change the cabin filter

Cabin filter, also called pollen filter, traps pollen, allergens and unpleasant odors from the outside air. This must be changed Every yearOtherwise, you run the risk of smelling the air conditioner in the car.

You will find the cabin filter behind the dash, under the hood, or under the glove compartment. It needs to be completely replaced, but usually it only costsfrom 15 to 30 €, plus the cost of labor.

Kill bacteria with a spray

The maneuver is to spray the product in your air conditioner, either through the cabin filter hatch or through aerators... Even if the operation seems very simple, it is advisable to go through the garage. It is really important that this spray disinfectant and antibacterial foam, permeates everywhere in your air conditioning circuit.

Eliminate refrigerant gas leak

Leaking refrigerant gas can cause unpleasant odors from the air conditioner in your car. To repair it use leak detection kit.

This green liquid under ultraviolet light makes it very easy to identify the source of the leak. Please note: if you do not have a plotter yet, it should be one hundred euros... Therefore, it is better to contact a mechanic who will not ask for more, knows exactly how to do it, and will be able to fix the leak.

Maintain your air conditioner

To avoid this kind of problem, there are a few simple steps you can take to take care of your car's air conditioning without breaking the bank:

• Turn on the air conditioner regularly in winter for system maintenance;
• From time to time alternation of ventilation and air conditioning to dry the air in your system.

Good to know : always, to maintain the air conditioner in your car, you must charge the air conditioner at least every 50 km or every 3-4 years... Knowing that the most recent models can sometimes wait a little longer.

You can fix the bad air conditioner smell in your car, but don't hesitate to have your air conditioner checked by a professional. Go through Vroomly to compare garages near you and get the best air conditioner service!