Zafira

Hi all
I have a new zafira (4 months old now) and on the rare occasions I've had
the need to use the air con, it has worked well, but after switching off
(whilst still driving) the air vents emit a sort of stale smell for a while.
It seems to last proportionately to the amount of time its been on for.Is
this usual or a fault.Is it a case of it being new and needs to bed in etc..
The smell clears after a few minutes.

cheers Dave

 

can't see why it should have bacteria in the system being a new model ,but ,
there is nothing to say it can't happen.
personnaly i would take it back.
but they will probably just do the same as i would if it were mine & try one
of the 'aircon bomb cans' you can buy for about £12 in Halfords.
it neutralizes the system & removes bacteria

there could be a fault in the dryer etc though.

a basic check, if you have a thermometer, is to close all the doors &
windows, switch on the aircon, put the fan on full with the control set to
recirculate on internal air only. put the thermometer in the main outlet of
the central console & run for about 5-10 mins.

the temp should be 4-8deg C.

mike

 

Thanks for your comments Mike,
It just seems strange that the smell only starts after the air con has been
switched off. Is oil used in the system to lubricate anything. (just a
thought)

Dave

 

yes

mike

 

Is oil used in the system to lubricate anything.

But as it's mixed in with the refrigerant tho no smell should be
apparent from that unless the system has failed.

 

yep sorry for the short reply earlier.

oil is used but should be completely evacuted then the system is re-charged.

how does the temp look if you do the test i asked?

mike

 

sorry mike not had time to do test, will do tomorrow and report back

Cheers
Dave

 

Hi

This just sounds normal. The stale smell is from bacteria that live on the
evaporation coil. When you run the air-conditioner it gets wet and cold and
water condenses, when you turn it off, it warms up, and the water that was
condensing starts evaporating along with the bacteria (and their smell) into
the air and emits into the car.

To try and avoid this problem, get the system cleaned to rid the existing
bacteria, and then when you use the air-conditioner, always switch it off,
but leave the fan running to push through the air for several minutes
(10-15mins) to help dry it out as quickly as possible. If you don't do this
then water is left sitting on the evaporator and bacteria breed, just they
like would on a cloth that is left wet.

Regards

Philip

 

That explains another oddity ( to someone who is new to aircon)

In damp weather I use the aircon to demist the windows - then switch it off
but keep the fan going - so the windows then steam up again, with a
vengeance!

AAAArgh

 

Philip

Thanks for your comments, but is it realistic for the bacteria to exist in a
car that was only 2 months old when I first noticed the smell. I'm sure it
is a case of moisture being blown through the vents when the system is
turned off and the fan left running. Is there a drain hole for this
accumulated water to drain away from? If so, it could be covered maybe?

Dave

 

whilst steaming down the motorway the other day there was a Very Heavy
Donwpour and the front screen misted up so i switched the blower on and it
steamed up even more.
Very disconserting at 80 mph and no visibility

dogsBollix

 

no, that is part of the recharge process.
really, i'd take it back & get them to do a service on the aircon if you
think it faulty.
be firm! stand your ground.

or use a halfords 'aircon' bomb, about 13 quid

mike

 

is it realistic for the bacteria to exist in a car that was

Just because you've had the car for two months doesn't mean it's two
months old

 

Hi

There must be a drain somewhere but I doubt it is blocked. Most of the
bacteria grow and thrive at the moment you turn off the air-con, where the
coils and fins trap the water along with food (particles in the air become
trapped in the water as it condenses) and that water isn't chilled anymore
and starts becoming warm, hence the sudden pong! So it only takes a few
occasions of using the air-con then leaving the car without having dried it
out to build up a nice colony of bacteria and mould that will pong the next
time you use the fan, especially when it has been made wet again!

Forcing the air through for a while after every use of the air-con gets rid
of that water more quickly and helps prevent the growth and over time you
should find things improve somewhat. Remember to turn off the
air-circulation for the "drying" phase so that fresh air is coming into the
car.

Imagine going to the gym and then leaving your damp towel and gym gear in a
sealed bag in a warm car for a few days, and what that will smell like
afterwards! So 2 months is plenty of time to build up a nice colony of
bacteria and mould believe me!

It is also a problem in domestic and industrial air-conditioners which is
why often they employ things like plasma and UV lights to kill bacteria.

Regards

Philip

 

I will try out your suggestions over the next week or so. Not tried turning
off the recirc before the a/c, I'm always open to ideas. If it doesn't
improve, I feel it trip to the dealer my be in order.

Dave