I have a 2001 1.6 Ford Focus Zetec with A/C. Recently i have been getting a smell which is like stagnant water when I switch the blower on. It goes however when i put the Re-circulation on. Does anyone reckon this could be the pollen filter?
I would be grateful for any feedback
|
The pollen filter is located on the passenger side under the black cover between the rear of the bonnet and windscreen. It can be accessed by undoing the 3 screws on the right hand cover. You need to also open the bonnet and release the 3 retaining catches with a small screwdriver.
If there was a leak, it is likely that the carpet in the passenger footwell would be damp, as most of the ventilation system is located above the passenger footwell.
|
|
|
I have a 2001 1.6 Ford Focus Zetec with A/C. Recently i have been getting a smell which is like stagnant water when I switch the blower on. It goes however when i put the Re-circulation on. Does anyone reckon this could be the pollen filter? I would be grateful for any feedback
I get this smell in my Focus. However, I understand you are liable to get a smell from the heater in all cars that have aircon. It's caused by decomposing organisms which proliferate in the residual moisture in the aircon system. I think it can be cleaned out by by a Ford dealer or by an aircon specialist but probably the benefits would not warrant the cost. I just ignore it. It tends to go away when the weather gets warmer and you stop using the aircon.
|
|
|
I have what sounds like the same problem with my Mondeo.
First thing I tried was to run the heater full hot for 10 minutes then aircon on full cold for 10. This made the smell go away for about 2 or 3 weeks.
Second, had the pollen filter replaced. No difference.
Third, had the system treated with an antibacterial spray by an aircon specialist. This smelled lovely and I thought the problem had gone, but 2 weeks later it's just the same again.
I mean to get round to the full hot treatment again but probably for half an hour. Also this time with the car idling on the drive rather than sweating trying to drive!
hth, but hope someone else has the real solution!
Andy
|
This is beginning to sound like a common Ford problem.
Does your's also cause the windscreen to mist up in cold, damp weather if say, you've had the A/C on during a previous trip, and then started the car again without the A/C on?
In mine, if I put the A/C on to de-mist the windows and then switch it off at any point during the journey, the blowers start releasing loads of moist air which instantly mists up the screen again. Someone suggested something about a drain pipe, but I don't know enough about how these things work to check it properly.
I know A/C is supposed to de-humidify the air, but I didn't know it was meant to instantly put all the water back into the air the instant you switch it off!
|
Does your's also cause the windscreen to mist up in cold, damp weather if say, you've had the A/C on during a previous trip, and then started the car again without the A/C on?
Aircon on or not, the windscreen will sometimes mist up, then very quickly clear itself.
In mine, if I put the A/C on to de-mist the windows and then switch it off at any point during the journey, the blowers start releasing loads of moist air which instantly mists up the screen again. Someone suggested something about a drain pipe, but I don't know enough about how these things work to check it properly.
I don't have this problem.
I know A/C is supposed to de-humidify the air, but I didn't know it was meant to instantly put all the water back into the air the instant you switch it off!
I am sure it's not supposed to!
|
|
|
This sounds like another good reason for not buying a Ford. On VWs, Citroens and Chrysler/Jeeps I've never had this problem with the aircon.
What have they cut corners on to cause this?
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Condensation forms on the cooling elements in the aircon and moisture collects.
When you turn it off this evaporates and steams up the inside of the windows.
Bacterior can grow in moisture left in the system = smell.
i have found that there is little problem if the aircon is turned off for part of the journey, with the fan still on, this dries out any damp.
|
|
I have already had the "ford air con service", basically air freshener and £25 please! This isn?t really good enough is it? They sell a product and don?t warn you its gonna smell. I have friends with Mercs and BMW?s, which don?t smell and haven?t had A/C problems. Is this just a Ford problem? Very annoying! Thanks for all the info guys, think it?s time Ford get a letter! If it wasn?t such a good handling and comfortable car it would be returned!! Rant over
|
|
If it makes you guys feel any better with Fords, my Laguna does exactly the same! I just live with it now, air con service did not cure the problem. Oh well!
|
|
The evaporater under the dash gets wet when the a/c is running, much like the element in your fridge. Excess water will run off it and down the drain, but it still remains damp. Therefore, when you turn it off, that moisture has to go somewhere, so it enters the car and settles on the cold windows. The damp is also where the mouldy smell comes from. Ford has a proper procedure for treating the smells that takes about an hour, but I suspect many just use an aerosol with poor results. There is some better stuff around, but I'm still not 100% sure of it's effectiveness. Quite often when I get this complaint either I can't smell anything, and they can, or vice-versa, and when treated they think it's better and I don't, or vice-versa, so it's all a bit subjective.
Ford cars aren't any worse than any others, and no one make or model seems to suffer worse than any others. You'll always get a bit of damp smell when first using it or first switching it off, just the nature of the beast. One solution to the steamed up windows is just to leave it on and forget about it. It makes no difference, just like your power steering pump runs even when going in a straight line, and the alternator runs when you don't have the lights on. Many new cars coming on the market now have an a/c compressor that can't be turned off, so that should kill the 'shall I, shan't I' debate once and for all.
|
|
|
|
