Audi 03 avant
Hi Radu Smile!
The bad A/C smell is probably due to mold built up in the evaporator coil and evaporator condensate catch pan which is under/behind the dashboard... Most car A/Cs do not have filters, though that is a good idea, and I'm not that well versed on Audi, so it might possibly have one to keep the evaporaor coil clear and efficient. I have also seen bad smells come from small animals who somehow get inside the car ventilation ductwork and died, but that is a distinctly different odor, and you can, I'm sure, tell the difference, and it would not likely diminish as the sytem ran.
To rid the system of odors, you will need to gain access to the evaporator coil and catch pan under/inside of the dashboard inside a large housing with ducting going to the vents and defrost ports, posititioned toward the center or toward the passenger side of the dashboard. The refrigerant lines that pass through the firewall lead directly to the evaporator. You will need to open the evaporator coil enclosure, or open an access door, and this set-up varies from car to car - some have the blower motor as part of the assembly - but this is the likely source of the odor and it must be cleaned to get rid of the it.
First, with a bristle brush and hose vacuum cleaner (with corner nozzle attachment) brush the evaporator coil and condensate catch pan in order to loosen up the lint/dust build-up. Then **** up as much of this debris as possible with the vacuum. Once you've cleaned these as much as possible (this is an impossible area to get squeaky clean), use a spray bottle with a dilute chlorine bleach solution and generously spray the coil and inside the housing. ***Be careful not to let the spray get on upholstery or carpet, as it WILL cause a bleach stain! (plastic drop covers might be a good idea here)*** Allow this to dry --- this will kill ALL organic growths that cause such odors in the time it takes to dry. Follow that up with a spray of a good disinfectant / air freshener (such as Lysol) in your favorite scent, spraying a little on the carpet and upholstery for good measure, and then carefully put it all back togeher.
Your bad smell problem should now be gone for a year or two! And cleaning the evaporator coil also has the added benefits of improving cooling efficiency AND air flow!
This should put a smile back on your face, my friend! Please don't hesitate to comment or ask for further assitance if you have difficulties or questions, best of luck, and let us know how it goes!
Thanks!
-WildBill
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