I just got the car 2 days ago, today was the first time it was warm enough for the auto climate control system to go to A/C mode instead of heat. The car started to smell like wet gym socks. Have any of you had this happen before? Is this a common thing? It's a 2006 E55. Any ideas on how to clean it up?

Thanks

 

That's gross. Try the cabin filter. Open the bonnet and it is the small box in the top left side. Had a cover held in place with a 10mm nut. See if that is wet or knackered. Failing that I'd guess the dash may need to come out to check the aircon piping.

 

cabin filter

 

dealer can do ac antimicrobial treatment...

 

I bought the new under hood filter, but in looking on line I see two other filters that supposedly install in the car as well, somewhere under the dash. I bought the pair of them too.

I found installation instructions on line for the under hood filter, but not for the two that go inside the car under the dash. Does anyone have a link to that?

 

Nevermind....disregard the question on the two extra filters. After wading through dozens of non-applicable search results, I finally found out that the 2006 cars don't have the internal filters, just the one under the hood.

 

Mine smelled like garbage earlier this week. I used a anti-bacterial treatment and there is zero smell now.

 

Can you please tell me what you used and how you did it?

 

Doug,

I'm not sure if they have this stuff in stores. This is what I used.

 

is your evaporator draining??? like does it leak when the a/c is on underneath the car...

 

Not sure if the evaporator is draining. We've had crazy weather, and it's too cool out today for the A/C to run. I've only had the car for two days now, so I'll have to keep an eye on that. The frigi-fresh looks like a good idea. In poking around on the 'net, I came across an easy idea that at first glance should work.

One guy in another type of car reported the same issue. He sprayed Lysol into the air intake. Lysol always claims to kill mold and mildew on contact, so why not here? I gave it a try, I removed the cabin air filter, replacing it while it was out. I sprayed in a whole bunch of Lysol into the A/C air intake behind the cabin air filter with the A/C on max and the fan on highest setting. I let it sit for an hour or so, then took the car for a ride with the A/C on. So far no dirty socks smell. I'll report back after more driving to let you guys know how it worked. Thanks so much for all the input.

The air ride just died, on to the next problem, but that's yet ANOTHER thread.

 

If I had to choose between dirty gym socks in my nose and mouth, or busted airmatic, it would be a touch choice. Sorry to hear.

 

Have had the same problems as well and use this stuff at the dealer with great results! Check and make sure evap drain is not plugged too.