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      08-12-2019, 04:43 PM   #23
Fraspas
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This seems to be happening to my vehicle as well and its rather hard finding a clear "this is how to resolve it" response online. Long story short, my 2016 X1 was purchased used, previously a lease vehicle. Since the weather's been hot lately, I've been using the A/C more and I noticed when I first fired it up, it had this awful musty, moldy, sour smell - kind of like dried pee or a bathroom or something. It would last a few minutes when I first turn on the fan but eventually dissipate. The smell actually goes away quicker when I turn on the A/C but it would always be there when the fan is first on. I haven't been recirculating my air so the vents are open to the outside air intake.

Now I've been perusing the interwebs for DIY but it doesn't seem to take care of the smell. So far, I've swapped the cabin air filters to new ones. It was a bit annoying to change as its placed in a very inconvenient spot. I've also used Klima's foam cleaner twice on the evaporator unit as its there in the opening where you swap out the cabin filter. The evaporator looks clean so I'm assuming the smell is not originating from there. Yet, this stinky sour smell still exists when I turn on the fan.

What else could I do to remedy and eradicate this smell? Is there a way to clean the are where the air is going in from? I've read that its under the hood behind the engine compartment. Is this area easily accessible and reach? Should I bring it in to someone to take apart and flush/clean the entire system? I've already mentioned this smell numerous times to BMW service but they don't seem to want to anything about it...

Any insights would help! Thanks
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      08-09-2020, 05:42 AM   #24
link_sy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fraspas View Post
This seems to be happening to my vehicle as well and its rather hard finding a clear "this is how to resolve it" response online. Long story short, my 2016 X1 was purchased used, previously a lease vehicle. Since the weather's been hot lately, I've been using the A/C more and I noticed when I first fired it up, it had this awful musty, moldy, sour smell - kind of like dried pee or a bathroom or something. It would last a few minutes when I first turn on the fan but eventually dissipate. The smell actually goes away quicker when I turn on the A/C but it would always be there when the fan is first on. I haven't been recirculating my air so the vents are open to the outside air intake.

Now I've been perusing the interwebs for DIY but it doesn't seem to take care of the smell. So far, I've swapped the cabin air filters to new ones. It was a bit annoying to change as its placed in a very inconvenient spot. I've also used Klima's foam cleaner twice on the evaporator unit as its there in the opening where you swap out the cabin filter. The evaporator looks clean so I'm assuming the smell is not originating from there. Yet, this stinky sour smell still exists when I turn on the fan.

What else could I do to remedy and eradicate this smell? Is there a way to clean the are where the air is going in from? I've read that its under the hood behind the engine compartment. Is this area easily accessible and reach? Should I bring it in to someone to take apart and flush/clean the entire system? I've already mentioned this smell numerous times to BMW service but they don't seem to want to anything about it...

Any insights would help! Thanks
Same here. Wondering if anyone has any updates on this
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      08-09-2020, 05:59 AM   #25
Peter_R
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fraspas View Post
This seems to be happening to my vehicle as well and its rather hard finding a clear "this is how to resolve it" response online. Long story short, my 2016 X1 was purchased used, previously a lease vehicle. Since the weather's been hot lately, I've been using the A/C more and I noticed when I first fired it up, it had this awful musty, moldy, sour smell - kind of like dried pee or a bathroom or something. It would last a few minutes when I first turn on the fan but eventually dissipate. The smell actually goes away quicker when I turn on the A/C but it would always be there when the fan is first on. I haven't been recirculating my air so the vents are open to the outside air intake.

Now I've been perusing the interwebs for DIY but it doesn't seem to take care of the smell. So far, I've swapped the cabin air filters to new ones. It was a bit annoying to change as its placed in a very inconvenient spot. I've also used Klima's foam cleaner twice on the evaporator unit as its there in the opening where you swap out the cabin filter. The evaporator looks clean so I'm assuming the smell is not originating from there. Yet, this stinky sour smell still exists when I turn on the fan.

What else could I do to remedy and eradicate this smell? Is there a way to clean the are where the air is going in from? I've read that its under the hood behind the engine compartment. Is this area easily accessible and reach? Should I bring it in to someone to take apart and flush/clean the entire system? I've already mentioned this smell numerous times to BMW service but they don't seem to want to anything about it...

Any insights would help! Thanks
It is the build up of micro organisms or dead bugs etc that are in the system. Very likely the previous drivers did NOT use the A/C as recommended. The following thread goes into detail on how you should have it set..
https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1746346

Quote:
Originally Posted by oakey46 View Post
I agree with the comments made by Peter_R, but would also add that the Owner's Handbook states that, with the system in Auto program, a condensation sensor also controls the program so that window condensation is avoided as much as possible.
The Owners Handbook goes on to say that 'if the AUTO aircon system is deactivated, outside air flows into the interior continuously. Continuous recirculated-air mode deteriorates the air quality in the interior and condensation on the windows increases'.
A further aspect is that if you switch off the Automatic Air Recirculation control, you will quite likely see the condensation build up. So best to leave that in automatic recirculation mode and it will go into recirculated air mode if outside pollutants are detected and until the air supply returns to normal (eg after following a car with a smoking exhaust etc).
The moral of all this is that you should simply set the climate control/aircon to AUTO and ensure the Air Recirculation button is also in Auto (A) mode.
I would suggest you google for "How to clear nasty smells from a vehicles Air Conditioning system"
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Last edited by Peter_R; 08-09-2020 at 06:08 AM..
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