musty heating vent smell

cezeta · Post by **cezeta** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:43 pm

I have cured this problem a few times by letting the heater suck in antibacterial air freshener but it comes back eventually.

it seams to be a jap import thing so i wonder if its the volcanic dust that gets dragged in.

I'm not apposed to cleaning out the ducts and heat exchanger but wondered i anybody else had tackled this problem. I know other vans have it as all that I test drove had the same smell, like old carpet.

also has anyone ever added ventilation in the back of a bongo. without proper windows in the back I find it lacks ventilation and if you cook then its even worse. Any thoughts?

gumbo · Post by **gumbo** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:04 pm

Yes i have experienced the same smell in my bongo and at the moment all i do is regular air freshners in it.
Sorry not much help i kinow but surely someone has the answer.

Gumbo

cezeta · Post by **cezeta** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:36 pm

im sure there is an answer gumbo, I cant believe everybody drives smelly vans

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:00 am

I have the same problem. Using the aircon antibaterial thing imporved it a fiar bit but the missus still notices it when the reat heater is first put on and air is blown out of the face level vents. V interested to see what suggestions come bakc on this thread. I think it must be a common Bongo problem - all the ones I looked at had this problem to a greater of lesser extent.

Didnt put me off buying though - Bongo, like life, is a compromise!

Mike

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:16 am

It probably is bacteria in the aircon system.
We used to get a lot of complaints of this smell at the dealers where I used to work. It rarely was a problem in summer, because people used the aircon more, but people don't read the instruction manual which, in most cases, tells you to use your aircon at least once a week (this is to keep the seals lubricated). Try leaving the aircon on for your next trip and see if this fixes it.

motorwizard · Post by **motorwizard** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:50 am

I think bacteria is the answer. Manufacturers used to sell a product to cure this . I have not needed it on mine so I have not checked for a while.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:36 pm

If my wife learns there are bacteria causing it, I'm done for!!! I could try saying "Calm down dear, they are HEALTHY bacteria" but I doubt that would work.

Seriously though, it seems to occur when hot air first put through the system. I need to check, but I think you are right franco that it isnt a problem when cold/aircoon is on. But either way, I'd like it gone!! Grateful for any more tips on this from anyone reading this thread.

Mike

Dabs · Post by **Dabs** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:06 pm

http://www.performancemotorcare.com/aca ... MAodskOHFQ

Dont know how effective these things are but it says it cleans Your Aircon system of bugs and bacteria in 10 minutes.

You will have to scroll down to find it Comma Air conditioner cleaner.

Dabs
http://www.carpages.co.uk/news/air-cond ... -05-05.asp
and another one

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:45 pm

Thats what I sued Dave and it did help a lot, but didnt completely remove the smell. May have to use another one but I wonder if you can remove anything and give it a good clean (bit like the hoover bag etc.)

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:51 pm

Hi Mike
Just use the aircon cleaner to get rid of bugs - then use your aircon, for about an hour, every week.
The bacteria love the warm, moist atmosphere in the aircon/heating system so,as the aircon removes the moisture, the little b*ggers pop their clogs. I probably use my aircon more frequently in the winter because it demists the windscreen so much faster.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:01 pm

1st class advice franco - I had wondered about the demisting potential of aircon & if it gets rid of the bugs so much the better. I'll try and acquire a weekly habit

Thanks

Mike

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:53 pm

I always give my aircon a quick blast when setting off in winter

(Full heat-> screen + aircon on - I have manual aircon)

Demists in 1/4 the time.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:53 am

The musty warm radiator water smell was one of the first things i queried when I bought me bongo 3 years ago, apparently it is the same in every bongo, certainly was in all the ones I tried and the mechanic who was very clued up on bongos stated it was the the same thing with em all. Over the years I have tried everything to get rid of it and since I dont feel the cold my air con is on all year round. One of the best I found was a sheet of Bounce fabric softener draped over a vent and on the dash helps a lot, it is also nice hung from grab handles in the back especially on a sunny day as heat activates the smell. Happy motoring.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:34 pm

...all Bongos smell musty?

Fortunately for us, then, our Bongo is the exception that proves the rule.

No musty smells from the heating/aircon system at all.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:11 pm

No nasty niffs here either!!!

musty heating vent smell

musty heating vent smell

Air con smell