The service guys say there are no filters that could be damp,
and they "don't think" there's anywhere in the air intake that
water could be pooling, but we still get this musty smell for
the first couple of minutes. What's the cause, and is there any
way to fix it?

Clifford Heath (about to pay for HG repair... on to minor worries).

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 22:40:09 +1000, Clifford Heath
<no (AT) spam (DOT) please.net> wrote:

This is usually caused by mildew or mold in the evaporator, which is
the result of standing water left from AC operation. To correct this,
at least temporarily, you can spray Lysol or a similar disinfectant
product into the outside air intake below the windshield while the
vent fan is running. This will pull the disinfectant through the
system and hopefully reduce the mildew and smell. You may have to
repeat the treatment periodically. Here in the US, some car dealers
and parts stores sell products specifically for this purpose, don't
know if you have something similar available there but you can ask
around.
To prevent this from happening in the future, avoid shutting the car
down with the AC still running. Instead, turn it off a short distance
before reaching your destination and leave the vent running, this will
allow the evaporator to dry out somewhat so there is less standing
water to promote mold/mildew growth. Also, avoid using the recirculate
function except when absolutely necessary. Keep it set for fresh air.

mulder@x.files wrote:
Thanks for the description and the fix, I'll give it a try.

I have exactly the same problem! I will also use your advise. Thanks!

"Clifford Heath" <no (AT) spam (DOT) please.net> wrote

Clifford Heath wrote:

Asusming you're in Aus - spray about 5 sec worth of Glen20 into each dash
vent with the air off. Leave for a while then run normally. If you can use
a WD40 tube or similar you'll aovid getting alcohol on the vent plastic.
Cheers

For us un-ausies (canuck, eh) What is Glen20 or what type of product is it.


This reminds me of Brits calling Catsup "Red Sauce" or HP sauce "Brown
Sauce".

--
If a job's worth doin' it's worth doing twice!

"hippo" <johnh (AT) nospam (DOT) shoal.net.au> wrote

Just replaced the filter element on my WRX with a 3M A/C filter. Piece of
cake to cut with scissors... The chicken wire cut real easily. The old
filter was full of shite and dirty, but by no means blocked. Anyway.... The
mildew smell wasn't present on the filter but was in the cabin, but as soon
as I swapped the filters the smell went away. ($9.97 for a filter big enough
to make 6+ new ones out of).

For what it's worth....




"Clifford Heath" <no (AT) spam (DOT) please.net> wrote

It's possible that if the filter is cruddy enough there might be some
mold/mildew in the filter itself, however the usual source is the
evaporator. Besides in this case I don't think the model in question
(Liberty RX, remember he is in Australia) has a cabin filter although
that's just a guess on my part.
And, in case anyone who does have a cabin filter is wondering about
how to make your own, here is a NASIOC thread with the info-
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476514
I've done this myself a few times, just made a new one and put it in
yesterday in fact.

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 15:38:17 GMT, "Mike"
<m.l.l.o.y.d.u.s.c.@.y.a.h.o.o...c.o.m> wrote:

H wrote:


Not in Liverpool we didn't call it red sauce and brown sauce! Mind you an
85yo friend of my mum used to call tomato sauce Aussie Gravy ...

Glen 20's a surface spray anti-bacterial aerosol that has 60% ethanol as
an active ingredient.
Must have something similar over there. Cheers