Hi all

Ive just started getting a foisty smell when A/C running in my mk3 focus. Exact smell I’ve experienced before in work cars which fleet would sort in about 20 minutes but there were 2 or 3 cars that always had the smell return periodically. It’s that mouldy smell and only when A/C running. 
What’s the best way of getting it fresh again? Are these ‘bomb’ products any good? Would you recommend a filter change as well?

Thanks

Pollen filter for sure, they get pretty scabby.
A aircon bomb is a good idea too.

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The price of these 'bombs' have reduced dramatically. I remember using the first many years ago and they were about £20! I saw a batch last year in a discount shop for £1, bought a few and am down to my last one now LOL

Some cars seem worse for this than others.  An AC bomb sorted the issue in my Mk2.5 Focus. But the AC stinks in my Golf and I just can't shift it.  Tried pollen filter, tried 2 different AC bombs and tried that thick foam stuff that's meant to expand in the system.  Even tried spraying some of that scented Dettol disinfectant through the system (while holding my breath lol!) but it's still the same!  

 

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Some cars seem worse for this than others.  An AC bomb sorted the issue in my Mk2.5 Focus. But the AC stinks in my Golf and I just can't shift it.  Tried pollen filter, tried 2 different AC bombs and tried that thick foam stuff that's meant to expand in the system.  Even tried spraying some of that scented Dettol disinfectant through the system (while holding my breath lol!) but it's still the same!  

 

That face mask we will all be mandated to wear soon may help LOL

5 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

That face mask we will all be mandated to wear soon may help LOL

Do those masks block smells?  I'll definitely start wearing one in Tesco if so...for those people that miss out the deodorant aisle!  

41 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Some cars seem worse for this than others.  An AC bomb sorted the issue in my Mk2.5 Focus. But the AC stinks in my Golf and I just can't shift it.  Tried pollen filter, tried 2 different AC bombs and tried that thick foam stuff that's meant to expand in the system.  Even tried spraying some of that scented Dettol disinfectant through the system (while holding my breath lol!) but it's still the same!  

 

Was it you I recommend the wurth Aircon spray? I saw this thread yesterday and thought I had recommended wurth to someone. It fixed my Mondeo smelling like a blocked drain. 

Just checked and it was you. 

Found the photo of the stuff I used . 

Some people switch their Aircon off a few minutes before finishing their journeys to try to stop this problem happening.

I have no idea if this works or not.

1 minute ago, Tizer said:

Some people switch their Aircon off a few minutes before finishing their journeys to try to stop this problem happening.

I have no idea if this works or not.

Some people listen to Radio 4 a few minutes before finishing their journeys to try to stop this problem happening.

I have no idea if this works or not.

1 minute ago, StephenFord said:

Some people listen to Radio 4 a few minutes before finishing their journeys to try to stop this problem happening.

I have no idea if this works or not.

I meant to say and keep the fan running after switching the Aircon off.

1 hour ago, iantt said:

Was it you I recommend the wurth Aircon spray? I saw this thread yesterday and thought I had recommended wurth to someone. It fixed my Mondeo smelling like a blocked drain. 

Yep, it's pretty expensive though, I tried a cheaper one in the end lol. 

32 minutes ago, Tizer said:

Some people switch their Aircon off a few minutes before finishing their journeys to try to stop this problem happening.

I have no idea if this works or not.

It doesn't...  I switch mine off as soon as I get back into town and can open the windows instead.  Probably 5 minutes of 30mph at the end of the journey.  Still smells horrendous the next time I get in the car.   

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Yep, it's pretty expensive though, I tried a cheaper one in the end lol. 

It doesn't...  I switch mine off as soon as I get back into town and can open the windows instead.  Probably 5 minutes of 30mph at the end of the journey.  Still smells horrendous the next time I get in the car.   

Any chance you have a decaying rodent anywhere in the car? Years ago a mate had a weird smell in his car, and on replacing the interior light noticed that the roof lining around it was crumbling. Yep, an errant mouse had lost it's life inside the roof of his car!

7 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Any chance you have a decaying rodent anywhere in the car? Years ago a mate had a weird smell in his car, and on replacing the interior light noticed that the roof lining around it was crumbling. Yep, an errant mouse had lost it's life inside the roof of his car!

I'd like to hope not!   I did see a dead rat stuck in the door jam of a mates rarely-used show car recently though...maggots and everything, I'm glad Instagram hasn't got a smell feature yet!  

Mine only smells after using the AC on a previous drive so there's definitely damp getting in or pooling somewhere it shouldn't.  The car was written off in 2016 though, so the dash may have been out and not put back right, or the car may have been left open for weeks for mould to settle in somewhere inaccessible.  No idea, it was only meant to be a stop gap for a few months...if I knew I'd still have it 2 years later I'd probably have spent the money on the Wurth stuff that Ian recommended lol.  Will be buying another car later this year so no point trying to fix it now.   

Bit of a bump but I see the OP hasn't been back...has anyone been able to buy any of the Wurth Spray lately? 

Out of stock on ebay and Amazon.  

I'm not trade so can't use the Wurth shop directly.

The smell was absolutely horrendous when I tried it on Monday, so bad I couldn't leave it on even with the windows open at 70, but if the hot weather continues I'm gonna need the AC again now.  

Tom, just found it here on Ebay, did you enter a typo? 😀

23 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Tom, just found it here on Ebay, did you enter a typo? 😀

Thanks Stephen but it's not that one!  That's just the 'deodoriser', the equivalent of spraying Lynx over sweaty pits...  

I'm looking for the foam disinfectant spray with the long tube as Ian posted above.   

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wurth-Air-Conditioning-Disinfectant-Spray/dp/B00KVHPOG2

 

EDIT - However, it does seem to be back in stock on ebay now...that's awkward!   So expensive though...will have to think about it tbh.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wurth-Air-Conditioning-Disinfectant-Spray-300mls-can-INCLUDES-PIPE/310394027377?hash=item4844ecfd71:g:fVUAAOSwEHhao-2s

Crikey, that's not cheap but if you are using it, I'm sure it must work. I read the instructions, and fell at the first hurdle not having a clue, " Insert spray probe into the condensate drain..." LOL

Just now, StephenFord said:

Crikey, that's not cheap but if you are using it, I'm sure it must work. Read the instructions, and fell at the first hurdle not having a clue, " Insert spray probe into the condensate drain..." LOL

It's not as complicated as it sounds...it just means the drain tube that drips water on the ground with the AC running, it'll be through the bulkhead somewhere.  However I have no idea how accessible it is on the Golf...  I'd probably have to go and ask the Mk6 Golf Facebook group unless any Ford owners know!  

It's basically a foam that expands in the system so that it fills the whole lot including all the sides, unlike the bomb spray that only quickly touches the central areas as it flows through.  I've never used it before, wasted plenty of money on bombs and pollen filters that have made no difference so far.  So if Ian says this works I'll trust him...  But I'm not paying £30 for it tbh!  

If anyone on here has a Wurth trade account, could they check the actual price for me please?  

Oh, looks like it's easier to access in modern cars than I thought!  It's just behind the drivers kick panel on the Mk6...  

 

Looks like that particular car grew an extra pedal in the process though.  

So...anyone with a Wurth trade account check the price please?