Smell from the car air conditioner

Car enthusiasts who bought an air-conditioned car often face the problem of an unpleasant smell coming from the ventilation system. Instead of the cool air, "fragrances" of incomprehensible origin come to the salon, which means that a fungus appeared in the air conditioner. The question arises: how to remove the smell from the car air conditioner. The simplest ways to solve this problem with step-by-step instructions, you will find in this article.

to the contents ↑

Where does the smell from the air conditioner come from?

Before removing the odor from the air conditioner, try to find its source. The success of your cleansing depends on how correctly the cause is revealed.

There are several reasons for the appearance of the "fragrance" in the car:

1. Propagation of bacteria and fungi in the air conditioner. The most favorable place for the growth of bacteria and all kinds of debris is the evaporator. This element is the same radiator that cools the air. Through the cabin filter and air intakes air is drawn in, which passes through the evaporator, and then again is sent to the cabin. At the same time, a large amount of dirt and dust accumulates on the evaporator surface. During the operation of the air conditioner, the evaporator has a temperature lower than the surrounding air, as a result of which condensate forms on it. When the air conditioner is turned off, the moisture remains and, together with the dirt, heats up to the ambient temperature. In the end, we have the best environment for the reproduction of bacteria.
2. The drainage system is blocked. The system needs to be cleaned, although this is understandable without our advice. If to all smells there was still a problem of the weakness of the air flow, then apparently the evaporator or cabin air filter was clogged. In the car, the filter should not be simply cleaned, but changed every year.

to the contents ↑

How to get rid of the smell of a car air conditioner?

When there was a smell from the conditioner in the car, it is necessary to solve a problem many-sidedly. First of all, from the ventilation of the car, remove all debris or at least neutralize the bacteria living in its corners. In order to get to the evaporator of the air conditioner, in some cases it is necessary to disassemble the instrument panel. Doing this is not easy, especially if you do not have the professional skills of assembling and disassembling the car parts, maybe you will not be able to do it without help.

Therefore, we offer a simpler solution - to apply foam, gas, liquid antibacterial drugs. Efficiency is certainly not the same, but the labor intensity is much lower.

Smell removal from the air conditioner with the gas antiseptic

To prevent the smell of the air conditioner inside the car from disturbing you, the sequence of your actions for using this remedy should be as follows:

1. Switch on the recirculation mode in the passenger compartment.
2. Turn the fan to the middle position.
3. Find the hole where the salon air intake is passing( usually at the feet of the driver and passenger).

Important! A lighter can be used to detect the flow.

1. Arrange the tank with the antiseptic so that the outflow from it flows into the duct.
2. Open the cylinder.
3. Close the machine and leave it for 10 minutes.

Important! Advantages of the method are minimum efforts, and minus - minimal efficiency.

Smell removal with

foam antiseptic The use of this antiseptic is reminiscent of a balloon with mounting foam and an extension tube. If you decide to remove the odor from the car air conditioner in this way, when using, follow these instructions:

1. Remove the interior filter.
2. Release the maximum volume of foam into the air conditioning and ventilation system.
3. Start the engine and warm up the cooling system so that the foam expands and passes on.
4. Wait for 10-15 minutes until the foam settles.
5. Turn on the heater and work in different modes, with the foam to dry and draw antiseptic vapors into the system.

Important! The effectiveness of this method is higher, since the foam is applied directly to the system and there is a chance that it will reach the evaporator( if it is under the panel).

Use of a self-lubricating liquid antiseptic

The following method will require you to maximize the penetration of bacteria to the site of life. For the preparation of antiseptic, with which you can remove the odor from the air conditioner in the car, you will need:

• 0.05% chlorhexidine solution( 500 ml).It is used for the treatment of a medical instrument, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, hands of a surgeon;
• alcohol( 1 part to 5 parts of chlorhexidine);
• aromatic fragrance( optional).

The effectiveness of this antiseptic depends on the qualitative formation of steam, therefore:

1. For spraying into the preparation system, use a spray gun for spraying plants.
2. Use this mixture for flushing the air ducts and the evaporator.
3. The vapors must be sucked through the air recirculation air intakes when the fan is on.
4. Also carry out the treatment through the opening for installation of the salon filter, directing the stream towards the evaporator.

Important! If you decide to use household chemicals, then buy a specialized compound. Consult the seller in the car dealer, which particular tool is more popular and has collected good feedback on efficiency.

to contents ↑

How to rinse the evaporator of the air conditioner by disassembling it?

If your evaporator is located in the depth of the instrument panel, then disassembly of the ventilation system you can not avoid. But the effectiveness of getting rid of an unpleasant smell will be 100%.

You will:

1. Clean the fins of the evaporator radiator.
2. Remove plastic housing parts from dust and putrefactive fungus.
3. To clean the aluminum parts, apply the liquid antiseptic described above. If you do not want to make yourself, then buy in the store.
4. For cleaning plastic, apply any cleaning household chemicals.

Important! Fungus, even with direct contact, is very difficult to destroy, and at a distance it is even more difficult to do, so the most effective way to cope with the smell is to disassemble everything and clean it. The only drawback - it is the most time consuming. But keep in mind that the methods described above are at least simple and effective in application, but they will never relieve you of organic substances( insects, seeds, foliage, dust), and they are even a "bomb" of delayed action that will constantly remind you of yourself unpleasantsmell.

to the contents ↑

Recommendations for preventing the "fragrance" of the air conditioner in the car

1. Regularly watch the salon filter. Even in the intervals between replacement, pull it out and remove dirt and dust from it.
2. The efficiency of the filter depends on its quality, so buy the original parts when replacing, so you do not have to pay any more.
3. Dry the evaporator before you put the car on a long parking. To do this, turn off the air conditioning in advance( 3-5 minutes) before arrival, do not turn off the fan until the end of the trip, so that the warm air dried the evaporator and saved it from moisture.

Important! Observing these simple rules, an unpleasant smell from the car air conditioner will appear extremely rarely or completely absent. The main thing is not to ignore the need for regular cleaning of the climate control system, and then you can enjoy a trip in the car without worrying about your health.

to the table of contents ↑

Odor causes and recommendations for removal in the home air conditioner

Unpleasant smell from the air conditioner at home can be felt almost immediately after installation. In this case, using the air conditioner is even dangerous, since it will do more harm than good. Do not rush back to carry the air conditioner to the store, but just sort out what the reason for the "fragrance" is.

Causes of an unpleasant odor of

Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:

1. Fungi and bacteria accumulate in the air conditioner. They can be contained in condensate, which is taken to the street. To get rid of the unpleasant smell from the air conditioner at home, put a siphon. But do not take a siphon in the form of a winding pipe, otherwise the air conditioner can flow due to stagnation.
2. Smells accumulated in the room. Under certain conditions, the air conditioner takes the air from the apartment, and not from the street( when heated). Therefore, if the apartment has an "aroma", then the air conditioner will support this smell. Carefully watch for the smell in the apartment. Pay special attention to new furniture, plastic, synthetic, plastic. In low-quality air conditioners, plastic can melt( especially when heated), and therefore a corresponding smell is felt.
3. Technology has not been used for a long time. If the air conditioner is not used for a long time, the water in the siphon can dry and when the equipment is switched on, an unpleasant smell is felt. To get rid of this problem, wait until the capacitor is filled with the required volume of water. If after that the smell does not disappear, then contact the repair shop. The service center will clean the indoor unit and treat the evaporator with a steam generator. This procedure should be carried out once a year, even if there is no unpleasant odor. Therefore, we recommend that before the start of the season, still contact the customer service.
4. Drainage was blocked. If the air conditioner is not used in winter, the drainage can rot, which means there is a medium for the reproduction of bacteria. When you turn it on, you will feel it. If the smell does not go away over time, then clean the indoor unit and disinfect.
5. Filled filters. In the operating instructions of the device it is indicated, after what time it is necessary to change the filter. Carefully follow this.
6. Incorrect installation of the air conditioner. In this case, completely remake the drainage system. If water collects inside the unit, then reset the unit horizontally.

Ways to remove odor from home air conditioner

1. Dehumidification. Modern air conditioner models have a function that delays the fan shutdown after the air conditioner is turned off. With this function, the evaporator is dried and various odors are eliminated. If your equipment does not have this function, then turn on the ventilation mode for 5-10 minutes, and then turn it off.
2. Disinfection. In special stores, purchase a product for antibacterial treatment. How to use these tools we described above in ways to clean the air in the car. In addition to professional tools, use "Lizol", which is sold in pharmacies. Treat this product with an evaporator, after which it will flow into the pallet, and then into the drainage system. If the use of chemicals is ineffective, you will have to completely disassemble the air conditioner and disinfect all the elements. For such processing, use the methods and methods described above.

To date, there are many models that fight the bacteria themselves and eliminate unpleasant odors. When buying equipment, specify all its positive aspects so that you do not have to later deal with the problem yourself.