Musky odor from the vents

[16d @ 4]

Originally Posted by Smart Car Geek

Yeah Smart should really make that drain have easier access. They should have used a wider tubing too. Get in a habit of checking that drain on a regular basis.

Does anyone know where this drain tube is?

[smaht]

Mini Coopers are especially prone to this. It's mold.

When the smell gets noticeable, turn on the heat full strengh and leave the car running for 15 minutes or so. That usually takes care of it for a while. When the smell returns, reapply. I forget if the car has a dust filter in the air system. If so, remove it.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by smaht

Mini Coopers are especially prone to this. It's mold.

glad I never had that problem!

9 out of 10 times the musky smell can be attributed to poor drainage of the AC condensate

[rawlus®]

Originally Posted by 16d @ 4

Does anyone know where this drain tube is?

passenger footwell near the battery. there's a pic floating around on the forum somewhere.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by 16d @ 4

Does anyone know where this drain tube is?

This is the front coming off bottom of the heater /AC unit, smooth black tube



This is the rear The black tube is the condesate drain and the clear tube is for the hydrogen gas generated by the battery



There are commercial solutions to clean the vents a very dilute mix of water and bleach will kill anything in there the best solution for the smell is airflow sufficiant to dry the vents. turn up the fan let it run
karl

[saronian]

The AC has an integrated particle filter, any chance that's been contaminated and could be replaced?

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by saronian

The AC has an integrated particle filter, any chance that's been contaminated and could be replaced?

The "smell" is coming from the clean side of that filter
karl

[tigerwong58]

This odor is from the environment, high pollen areas can cause the dust filter to be full of this yellow stuff, blended with the condensation from the A/C unit, makes for this musty odor. You may want to call the dealer and ask them, with that low miles they may want to check that the A/C is draining properly and have them check the dust filter.

[caravine]

I see this is an old posting, so if this helps..... if you turn off the air conditioning and open the vents before you turn off your ignition, and just let the outside air circulate for a couple minutes, and LEAVE YOUR VENTS OPEN while the car is parked, you don't get the 'stale, mildewy air' smell.

Maybe you've already figured out the solution........

Good luck

[dcrooks]

Originally Posted by caravine

I see this is an old posting, so if this helps..... if you turn off the air conditioning and open the vents before you turn off your ignition, and just let the outside air circulate for a couple minutes, and LEAVE YOUR VENTS OPEN while the car is parked, you don't get the 'stale, mildewy air' smell.

Maybe you've already figured out the solution........

Good luck

Aren't the vents open by default? When I turn on the A/C, I then have to remember to hit the vent closer to close them to get maximum effect.

My wife and I started to smell the musky smell today and I will for that drain plug to see if that will help.