MINI2

Chris Williams · Sep 13th, 2003, 01:56 PM

I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that when I start the engine I get a really nasty smell from the climate control for the first few minutes. What can only be described as smelling like urine (apologies for the graphic description!) Any ideas of what is causing this....filter problem or a leak?

Regards
Christopher

AidenL · Sep 13th, 2003, 02:01 PM

I have heard it called 'damp dog smell' - I believe its caused by mildew forming in the evaporator, not sure what the cure is, other than reun it for a while to clear it out........I think it has been mentioned on here before, a search may turn up a few threads........

Yoda · Sep 15th, 2003, 08:23 AM

Mine Air Con smelled too but after change the filter it was gone

ToreB · Sep 15th, 2003, 06:47 PM

I have the same smell, a kind of damp-room-without-ventilation-smell.
I'll try to have the filter changed, the car is not 6 months old yet.
Regards, Tore

njchris · Sep 15th, 2003, 07:36 PM

I had that problem in my Jetta too, so I don't know if the same applies but I read if you turn off the air and let it blow for a minute before you exit the car it will stop this from happening.

m1les · Sep 16th, 2003, 09:55 PM

You can also get a spray to disinfect the filters.

monica · Sep 17th, 2003, 09:17 PM

Mine smelled from day one! It was embarassing. Still is I try not to hop in and get the car "warmed up" at least a half a miniute of so before someone else gets in and exclaims "Dear G*D what is that smell?!"

Hat · Sep 18th, 2003, 09:13 AM

i did just as you said this morning max - mine smelled like a dustbin wagon & now its fine

MotorOn · Sep 30th, 2003, 06:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

For sure it's bacteria

growin in the damp in yr filters.

Easy fix

(All donations to our official charity Whizz-Kidz pse

)

www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

Drive yr car until hot. Park up on driveway or at yr house. Leave engine running. Open windows a tad.

Switch on CC (or Aircon) to max blow and max heat.

Stand around for 5 mins. Switch aircon etc off.

Problem should disappear

I ran the car as above, but for 20 minutes, (as per an Audi dealer), and the mildew smell still exists.

GregF · Oct 8th, 2003, 09:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MotorOn

I ran the car as above, but for 20 minutes, (as per an Audi dealer), and the mildew smell still exists.

Someone told me not to run the A/C on recirculate all the time and that seems to have helped. It's not an instant fix, but it might be the cause of the problem.

Sep 13th, 2003, 01:56 PM	#1
Chris Williams MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cheshire Local Time: 01:00 AM Posts: 796 Offline	Climate control- smell I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that when I start the engine I get a really nasty smell from the climate control for the first few minutes. What can only be described as smelling like urine (apologies for the graphic description!) Any ideas of what is causing this....filter problem or a leak? Regards Christopher

Sep 13th, 2003, 02:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 01:00 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	I have heard it called 'damp dog smell' - I believe its caused by mildew forming in the evaporator, not sure what the cure is, other than reun it for a while to clear it out........I think it has been mentioned on here before, a search may turn up a few threads........ *Global Moderator*

Sep 15th, 2003, 08:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Yoda MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Bangkok Local Time: 07:00 AM Posts: 108 Offline	Mine Air Con smelled too but after change the filter it was gone MCS JCW Dark Silver/Black

Sep 16th, 2003, 09:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
m1les Mulberry Red Mini 40 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Essex Local Time: 12:00 AM Posts: 1,055 Offline	You can also get a spray to disinfect the filters. Was a 1, now 1 of 150 in a 40

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Sep 15th, 2003, 06:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
ToreB MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oslo, Norway Local Time: 12:00 AM Posts: 129 Offline	I have the same smell, a kind of damp-room-without-ventilation-smell. I'll try to have the filter changed, the car is not 6 months old yet. Regards, Tore

Sep 15th, 2003, 07:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
njchris MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern NJ Local Time: 08:00 PM Posts: 74 Offline	I had that problem in my Jetta too, so I don't know if the same applies but I read if you turn off the air and let it blow for a minute before you exit the car it will stop this from happening.

Sep 17th, 2003, 09:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
monica Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Edison, NJ Local Time: 08:00 PM Posts: 537 Offline	Mine smelled from day one! It was embarassing. Still is I try not to hop in and get the car "warmed up" at least a half a miniute of so before someone else gets in and exclaims "Dear G*D what is that smell?!"

Sep 18th, 2003, 09:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
Hat cook pass babtridge My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 01:00 AM Posts: 15,866 Offline	i did just as you said this morning max - mine smelled like a dustbin wagon & now its fine

Sep 30th, 2003, 06:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
MotorOn MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Local Time: 04:00 PM Posts: 229 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Max For sure it's bacteria growin in the damp in yr filters. Easy fix (All donations to our official charity Whizz-Kidz pse ) www.whizz-kidz.org.uk Drive yr car until hot. Park up on driveway or at yr house. Leave engine running. Open windows a tad. Switch on CC (or Aircon) to max blow and max heat. Stand around for 5 mins. Switch aircon etc off. Problem should disappear I ran the car as above, but for 20 minutes, (as per an Audi dealer), and the mildew smell still exists.

Oct 8th, 2003, 09:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
GregF MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Florida Local Time: 08:00 PM Posts: 511 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MotorOn I ran the car as above, but for 20 minutes, (as per an Audi dealer), and the mildew smell still exists. Someone told me not to run the A/C on recirculate all the time and that seems to have helped. It's not an instant fix, but it might be the cause of the problem.

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