AC smells bad
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
AC smells bad
My 07 E63 AC smells really really bad when first running. I saw a cleaning product, I forgot the brand, at AutoZones, to spay into the drain hole underneath the car but I have no idea where to find it. Does anyone know how to locate this draining tube? Thanks.
#2
I don't think you spray anything into the evaporator drain, you spray the product either into the cabin air intake or put the system on recirculate and spray the product into the cabin intake in the passenger foot well. Its like a bug-bomb...press the trigger, shut the door and run like hell.
I just did this 2 weeks ago.
http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Prod...nuFrom=1021761
I just did this 2 weeks ago.
http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Prod...nuFrom=1021761
#7
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#10
Super Member
Not to be funny but it drips water when needed, look for the drip. I would "guess" that the product tube goes up the drain line. So your not really looking for a plug. Please correct me if I have this wrong.
#13
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2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
on my Audi A4 B6 model the evaporator drain flows down the passenger side of the car.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/532742-A-C-drain?p=8637222&viewfull=1#post8637222
hopefully someone here can chime in. I know must of us have our cars serviced vs doing the work ourselves. good luck and please share your findings.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/532742-A-C-drain?p=8637222&viewfull=1#post8637222
hopefully someone here can chime in. I know must of us have our cars serviced vs doing the work ourselves. good luck and please share your findings.
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dustinN (05-07-2017)
#14
Super Member
You are in luck (Somewhat)
I just did this last weekend, and had the same problem. Where the hell is the tube that drips water !?
Well... turns out there isn't one (At least not a traditional one)
The holes are vertical in the middle tunnel behind the heat shield, its surrounded by a fabric like liner, one on each side they are certainly not easy visible.
But wait there is more! The drain is not hollow it has a plastic piece inside (to prevent crushing and animals from getting in?) that makes it impossible to feed the tube through.
What you might want to do is:
1. Remove the passenger side lower dash cover (the one with the light held by 2 screws)
2. Pull back carpet a little on the left side
3. You will now see where the drain tube connects to evaporator
4. Disconnect that, feed tube of cleaner, SEAL it to the evap drain
5. Feed product, the product will drain to the other side once it melts or you can try to quickly re-attach that side drain but that will be messy
Well... turns out there isn't one (At least not a traditional one)
The holes are vertical in the middle tunnel behind the heat shield, its surrounded by a fabric like liner, one on each side they are certainly not easy visible.
But wait there is more! The drain is not hollow it has a plastic piece inside (to prevent crushing and animals from getting in?) that makes it impossible to feed the tube through.
What you might want to do is:
1. Remove the passenger side lower dash cover (the one with the light held by 2 screws)
2. Pull back carpet a little on the left side
3. You will now see where the drain tube connects to evaporator
4. Disconnect that, feed tube of cleaner, SEAL it to the evap drain
5. Feed product, the product will drain to the other side once it melts or you can try to quickly re-attach that side drain but that will be messy
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dustinN (05-08-2017)
#16
Super Member
Thread Starter
I just did this last weekend, and had the same problem. Where the hell is the tube that drips water !?
Well... turns out there isn't one (At least not a traditional one)
The holes are vertical in the middle tunnel behind the heat shield, its surrounded by a fabric like liner, one on each side they are certainly not easy visible.
But wait there is more! The drain is not hollow it has a plastic piece inside (to prevent crushing and animals from getting in?) that makes it impossible to feed the tube through.
What you might want to do is:
1. Remove the passenger side lower dash cover (the one with the light held by 2 screws)
2. Pull back carpet a little on the left side
3. You will now see where the drain tube connects to evaporator
4. Disconnect that, feed tube of cleaner, SEAL it to the evap drain
5. Feed product, the product will drain to the other side once it melts or you can try to quickly re-attach that side drain but that will be messy
Well... turns out there isn't one (At least not a traditional one)
The holes are vertical in the middle tunnel behind the heat shield, its surrounded by a fabric like liner, one on each side they are certainly not easy visible.
But wait there is more! The drain is not hollow it has a plastic piece inside (to prevent crushing and animals from getting in?) that makes it impossible to feed the tube through.
What you might want to do is:
1. Remove the passenger side lower dash cover (the one with the light held by 2 screws)
2. Pull back carpet a little on the left side
3. You will now see where the drain tube connects to evaporator
4. Disconnect that, feed tube of cleaner, SEAL it to the evap drain
5. Feed product, the product will drain to the other side once it melts or you can try to quickly re-attach that side drain but that will be messy
#17
Super Member
There is no additional filter, this problem is sadly very common if you live under certain environmental conditions and there is no easy fix.
Mercedes had so much trouble with this they've implemented a "dry-out" program on newer cars 2012+ where the blower will run for ~10 minutes on low after the car has been off for a while to remove moisture.
Try this: with the engine at operating temp run the heater at max in recirc mode for ~5 minutes and then the defroster for ~5 minutes before you let the car sit overnight. This should kill everything off.
Mercedes had so much trouble with this they've implemented a "dry-out" program on newer cars 2012+ where the blower will run for ~10 minutes on low after the car has been off for a while to remove moisture.
Try this: with the engine at operating temp run the heater at max in recirc mode for ~5 minutes and then the defroster for ~5 minutes before you let the car sit overnight. This should kill everything off.
#19
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2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
clearing your drains isn't going to do anything in regards to the smell besides help prevent it. you will need a foaming cleaner to disinfect the mold that has grown on the AC evaporator coils. Klima Cleaner has worked every single time on every vehicle I've used it on. So much I always keep 4 cans on hand. Audi's are notorious for having AC systems that do not drain well enough. In those situations I've had to run the cleaner once a year, generally in the spring time before it starts getting hot.
http://www.1z-usa.com/products/klima...r-cleaner.html
http://www.1z-usa.com/products/klima...r-cleaner.html
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BBPhil (06-17-2021)
#20
I watched the klima cleaner tutorial, and it looks like major surgery. I can't help but wonder why a mould and mildew spray into the cabin air intake wouldn't be distributed throughout the air con system...I'm referring to a Lysol-type product sprayed into the intake under the cabin filter. The smelly air that enters the cabin has to pass through all the same passages, it would just be carrying the 'lysol'...leaving a residue that would kill the mould?
I religiously turn my AC off 5 minutes before arriving at my destination, but I fear the previous owner did not, and more often than I would like, the AC reeks.
I religiously turn my AC off 5 minutes before arriving at my destination, but I fear the previous owner did not, and more often than I would like, the AC reeks.
#21
Super Member
It takes 10 minutes to access the drain behind the carpet. Try running the heat as described too.
You can use products through the intake but keep the following in mind:
Chlorine bleach: will corrode evaporator over time leading to leaks and ruin plastics
Alcohol: will ruin (whiten) the finish on plastic (eg vents)
Ammonia: will corrode evaporator and ruin plastics
Salt: will corrode evaporator
I do not know of an effective product that you can spray through the intake that won't lead to significant consequences.
You can use products through the intake but keep the following in mind:
Chlorine bleach: will corrode evaporator over time leading to leaks and ruin plastics
Alcohol: will ruin (whiten) the finish on plastic (eg vents)
Ammonia: will corrode evaporator and ruin plastics
Salt: will corrode evaporator
I do not know of an effective product that you can spray through the intake that won't lead to significant consequences.
#22
Doing a bit of Google-research led me here:
http://www.gelair.com.au/index.php/p...r-health-e-car
Seems a dilution of tea tree oil kills mould and fungus without any of the above-mentioned corrosive or destructive ingredients.
I wonder if a dilution of tea tree oil atomized into the cabin air intake would coat the system and kill/prevent mould? Water would be the only other ingredient.
My concern with the drain treatment is that people claim the smell comes back, and the foaming cleaner is not cheap.
http://www.gelair.com.au/index.php/p...r-health-e-car
Seems a dilution of tea tree oil kills mould and fungus without any of the above-mentioned corrosive or destructive ingredients.
I wonder if a dilution of tea tree oil atomized into the cabin air intake would coat the system and kill/prevent mould? Water would be the only other ingredient.
My concern with the drain treatment is that people claim the smell comes back, and the foaming cleaner is not cheap.
Last edited by Island_Moose; 05-22-2017 at 10:26 PM.
#23
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Klima Cleaner is a foaming cleaner that surrounds the entire evaporator for 15-30 min with cleaning agents that remove mold and mildew. any spray non foaming cleaner will not provide any agents that loosen and dislodge the sticky mold and mildew. Klima Cleaner and any other type of foaming cleaner will lift mold and mildew and take it away as the foam liquifies.
people have had luck using Lysol sprayed into the intake of the AC system but in my experience it simply masks the smell only to return.
people have had luck using Lysol sprayed into the intake of the AC system but in my experience it simply masks the smell only to return.
#25
Super Member
That three oil thing sounds interesting, report back if you give it a try!
The highly corrosive and toxic ozone is not what you want in your evaporator or your lungs!
The highly corrosive and toxic ozone is not what you want in your evaporator or your lungs!