air-cond smell

[NekoRacing]

Hi people, When I start my E90, the first few seconds of the air-cond smells bad. Is this normal?

 

[Schwepps]

If it's a musty smell, you have damp in your system. Get it checked for blocked condensation channels or trapped leaves.

 

[VKS]

Actually im having the same problem..the smell only for the first few seconds when u turn on the AC...is it bcoz of the type of car perfume we use?

 

[stanleycck]

Mine too...............going to AB to get it cleaned, next week.

 

[achtung]

Mine too... thought something to do with the air freshener..

 

[Schwepps]

Huh?! Why so many? And all of you have LCI units, right?

Defective microfilters?

 

[achtung]

mine is LCI unit... anyone else??:listen:

copy of letter that bmw germany sent out to customer in s'pore. this was sometime back. dunno what series our a/cond is on the E9x


__________________________________________________ _______________

Mouldy Odour from A/C, on all series with air conditioner (IHKR) or automatic air conditioner (IHKA)

Objective:

A mouldy smell can be detected inside the vehicle for a short time in either heating or air conditioning mode. This happens in particular immediately after the engine is started with the air conditioner or automatic air conditioner switched on, on after switching the air conditioner off during a journey.

Cause:

The cause of this objection does not lie in a fault of the air conditioning system or automatic air conditioner, nor in the vehicle. The odour is caused by environmental influences during the period of operation of the air conditioning system.

The continuous condensation of air humidity on the evaporator when the air conditioner or automatic air conditioner is operated over lengthy period creates an ideal habit for bacteria and other microorganisms.

Together with impurities brought in from the outside air, these can cause support microbes to grow on the evaporator, resulting in a mouldy smell.

As higher the temperature with sufficient humidity in the heat exchange, as faster the microorganisms can be grow.

Replacing the evaporator does not produce a lasting result, as microbes are still able to form again.

Recommendations regarding the avoidance of the mouldy odour:

- Regular cleaning of the evaporator as described in our Technical Service Bulletin.
- By regular change of the micro filter, the entry of impurities can be minimized and occurrences of the above-mentioned issues can be delayed.
- After the journey it is recommend switching the air conditioning system off briefly before the destination (5-10mins) (add. Switch the heater system on) so that the condensation in the heater box can dry by the air circulation.
- “To burn” micro organisms out: Place car into the sun, start engine, switch on circulating air, adjust heating and blower to maximum achievement, close all doors and windows and wait 10 to 30 mins. The car heats itself thereby very strongly and hot air from the interior kills all microorganisms in the heat exchanger by the operation with circulating air.

The objection can sooner or later occur again, however depending upon climate and country situation.

Warranty reimbursement is not possible, as the problem does not constitute a technical defect.

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

 

[Schwepps]

Achtung, thanks for posting that, but it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, and it's from BMW AG, no less. That kind of required action I can accept from a classic car, but a 2009 BMW?? FYI, I do not have smells from my 2008 E90's AC nor from any other present car. I had it once before in a former car (circa 1992), and servicing the AC and removing all the accumulated gunk solved the problem.

"After the journey it is recommend switching the air conditioning system off briefly before the destination (5-10mins) (add. Switch the heater system on) so that the condensation in the heater box can dry by the air circulation."

Indeed! Might as well just drive a Proton Perdana then - no need to remember to do such archaic things. :stupid:

 

[stanleycck]

Achtung, thanks for posting that, but it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, and it's from BMW AG, no less. That kind of required action I can accept from a classic car, but a 2009 BMW?? FYI, I do not have smells from my 2008 E90's AC nor from any other present car. I had it once before in a former car, and servicing the AC and removing all the accumulated gunk solved the problem.

"After the journey it is recommend switching the air conditioning system off briefly before the destination (5-10mins) (add. Switch the heater system on) so that the condensation in the heater box can dry by the air circulation."

Indeed! Might as well just drive a Proton Perdana then - no need to remember to do such archaic things. :stupid:

Bro Achtung,

That was a good basic tutorial.......as I am not an expert in cars, I do find it helpful but I will have to agree with Bro Schwepps.......we spend almost RM300,000.00 for a UDM and we will still need to do certain SOPs that even a brand which is 50 to 60% cheaper than what we had paid for does not have to go through all that.....:stupid::stupid::stupid:

I will surely bring this matter up with AB when I see them next week.

 

[achtung]

totally agree bro's... its absurd!!!! unacceptable bull :24:

like i said, not sure which model is that letter aimed to and it was sometime back. A friend in s'pore sent it to me when we spoke about it.

lets wait n see if more have this prob...

 

[IsaacVky]

Actually there is no need for 10~15 minutes. Just before you switch off the ignition, say about 1 minute, off the A/C and only allow the blower on. That should solve the problem.

 

[Schwepps]

We shouldn't even have to do that in a 300k car with automatic climate control. We should be able to set it once to our preference, and not have to touch it again.

Just get your AC serviced ASAP. You probably have condensation accumulating, and mould and bacteria growing, and all those bacteria laden particles are blowing into your car. It happened to me in one car long ago and servicing the AC cleared the problem. There was a lot of gunk in the system. BMW AG are just trying to deny a warranty claim, but in my last BSRI service, IA changed my AC microfilter without my asking them to, so I don't think it will be an issue to get it done under BSRI.

 

[Cipher]

My E92 is only 2 months old and this problem has occur. Acthung, stanleycck, how old is your car? 2 years? Schwepps, do I need to service my AC too?

 

[stanleycck]

Mine is almost 10 months.........noticed this issue into the 4th month.......on and off

 

[stanleycck]

My E92 is only 2 months old and this problem has occur. Acthung, stanleycck, how old is your car? 2 years? Schwepps, do I need to service my AC too?

Take back to where you bought your unit and have them to service/clean/change the filter........that was what I was told after making the first complaint before CNY.

 

[Cipher]

Yeah, thanks for the tips Will go to AB next week.

 

[Schwepps]

My E92 is only 2 months old and this problem has occur. Acthung, stanleycck, how old is your car? 2 years? Schwepps, do I need to service my AC too?

Like you, all these guys are driving 2009 LCIs. It's very strange that LCIs seem to have so many problems that pre-LCIs don't have. Of course get it serviced under BSRI mate.

 

[sunnypuan]

Like you, all these guys are driving 2009 LCIs. It's very strange that LCIs seem to have so many problems that pre-LCIs don't have. Of course get it serviced under BSRI mate.

Sigh, Have to make appointment with Sapura then ! Sure hope the AC service won't be long though...

 

[Schwepps]

Sigh, Have to make appointment with Sapura then ! Sure hope the AC service won't be long though...

Try calling up the other dealers to see whether they'll do a service for you, if other dealers would be more convenient. It's all a matter of whether they can make a claim for it.

 

[achtung]

mine is 4 months