Aircon Weird Smell

[sami_remote]

Hi,

My A/C is giving a strange light chemical smell for the first minute or so after turning on. Smells a bit like window washer but not exactly the same... and no I am not constantly using my washers :-)

I usually have my A/C in circulation mode as I live in London with lots of pollution.

Has anyone experience this before?

Thanks,

Sami

[clifton 94]

hi check your coolant level as your heater matrix may have a slight weep on it so when the fan is switched on its the anti freeze you can smell

[sami_remote]

hi check your coolant level as your heater matrix may have a slight weep on it so when the fan is switched on its the anti freeze you can smell

I had a look and the coolant level is above low but quite near it. I couldn't spot any obvious cracks/leaks. But my a/c still smells weird especially when I have it on circulate. Is there anything else worth checking or should I just take it to the dealer?

[TonyUK]

Get the car to an air con specialist and get it dis infected, bacteria in unit causes awful smells.

[fatpieman69]

Get the car to an air con specialist and get it dis infected, bacteria in unit causes awful smells.

you can go to Halfords and buy one for about £10. do it yourself, it's really easy. I did and got rid of my bad smells but I dont know if it will for you if there is something leaking into yours

[sami_remote]

I took my car into a Lexus service center today and they immediately identified the issue being the aircon filter. They showed it to me, it was completed black with lots of scary bits hanging to it. Apparently these filters are supposed to last a year but parts of London are heavily poluted making it a need to replace these more often. Once changed, the difference was immediate, no more toxic smell :-) [part cost 40 GBP]