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).
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.
