cabin filter - New 2009 2010 BMW Z4

dcs2k · 12-10-2010, 06:06 AM

air con filter, micro filter,

where do we change it?

air con giving a funky smell the first 5 sec upon starting the car after 35k kms, reckon changing it might help

Memphis1 · 12-10-2010, 06:31 PM

dealer should change at every service... they did mine. might be under glovebox

Constant.S · 12-10-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sg-e89

air con filter, micro filter,

where do we change it?

air con giving a funky smell the first 5 sec upon starting the car after 35k kms, reckon changing it might help

Its because of cattless/Race-cat downpipes

Silver-Bolt · 12-10-2010, 07:47 PM

The non-freon coolant used in a/c systems gives off a funky musty smell. I doubt a filter change will help.

skier219 · 12-10-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver-Bolt

The non-freon coolant used in a/c systems gives off a funky musty smell. I doubt a filter change will help.

Normally, the working fluid will never ever be in contact with cabin air unless there is a leak in the coil. So even though the R134A smells bad, it's sealed in the system. It does leak/escape over time, but would be doing that far from the coil in the cabin, and in such small amounts that we don't notice it. If the coil were leaking, then there are far bigger problems than odor....

teagueAMX · 12-10-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver-Bolt

The non-freon coolant used in a/c systems gives off a funky musty smell. I doubt a filter change will help.

The filter replacement might help, but more likely the ac ductwork itself gets a musty smell, especially if you live in a damp or humid climate. Seems I recall there is an air freshener type spray for cars that you can spray in a couple of your air vents and removes the musty smell. You can usually pick it up at an auto parts store.

dcs2k · 12-11-2010, 01:37 AM

thanks for the info. I had used those air freshener types earlier and will try that on again.

constant.s might be right, those catless dps and straight thru exhaust might be the culprit too!!

as for the placement of the filter, I still cant figure out where it is!

cdeslandes · 12-11-2010, 10:20 AM

Try this:

* Start engine, open the hood (bonnet)
* Open all windows (or better yet, the roof!)
* Run aircon on maximum flow & maximum heat for a couple of minutes
* Spray a disinfectant (like the Lysol brand we have in the U.S.) into the aircon air intake (in engine compartment under the windshield) for 15-30 seconds
* Let aircon run for another couple of minutes

The Lysol will kill any mold/bacterial growth in the system. Use a real disinfectant, not just an air freshener.

That has worked wonders for me in the past with aircon systems that started smelling like dirty socks after a humid summer...

teagueAMX · 12-11-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Try this:

* Start engine, open the hood (bonnet)
* Open all windows (or better yet, the roof!)
* Run aircon on maximum flow & maximum heat for a couple of ninutes
* Spray a disinfectant (like the Lysol brand we have in the U.S.) into the aircon air intake (in engine compartment under the windshield) for 15-30 seconds
* Let aircon run for another couple of minutes

The Lysol will kill any mold/bacterial growth in the system. Use a real disinfectant, not just an air freshener.

That has worked wonders for me in the past with aircon systems that started smelling like dirty socks after a humid summer...

Excellent advice!

juhap · 05-24-2011, 11:09 AM

Revisiting an old thread....

Lately I've noticed 3 symptoms and after reading this thread I'm wondering if they're all connected:

1) Strange smell coming from the air vents for couple of seconds when starting the car. It doesn't happen every time. I can only describe the smell as slightly vinegary.

2) Add Coolant warning light. I saw it the first time couple of days ago and now again this morning. Forgot to add coolant, because I didn't see the warning light again until this morning. The Owner's Manual suggests that it is not normal for the coolant level to drop.

3) Strange sound coming from somewhere inside the dashboard (hard to locate the source so it could come from anywhere really). Lasts about 2 seconds and is so quiet that I can only hear it when I've stopped or I'm driving really slowly. Seems to happen quite frequently though. Sounds a bit like your stomach when you eat something that doesn't agree with you (and no, it's not my stomach

).

My car is about a year old with 17k kms driven in all kinds of weather. The climate here is not humid, but the garage where my car is parked may be humid in winter.

cdeslandes · 05-24-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhap

Revisiting an old thread....

Lately I've noticed 3 symptoms and after reading this thread I'm wondering if they're all connected:

1) Strange smell coming from the air vents for couple of seconds when starting the car. It doesn't happen every time. I can only describe the smell as slightly vinegary.

2) Add Coolant warning light. I saw it the first time couple of days ago and now again this morning. Forgot to add coolant, because I didn't see the warning light again until this morning. The Owner's Manual suggests that it is not normal for the coolant level to drop.

3) Strange sound coming from somewhere inside the dashboard (hard to locate the source so it could come from anywhere really). Lasts about 2 seconds and is so quiet that I can only hear it when I've stopped or I'm driving really slowly. Seems to happen quite frequently though. Sounds a bit like your stomach when you eat something that doesn't agree with you (and no, it's not my stomach

).

My car is about a year old with 17k kms driven in all kinds of weather. The climate here is not humid, but the garage where my car is parked may be humid in winter.

Your heater core might just be leaking. Any moisture under the floor mats by chance?

Chuck Tung · 05-24-2011, 12:36 PM

or perhaps a field mouse has taken up residence in your engine compartment? And is pooping and peeing in your air ducts?

HpDellNestle · 05-24-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Tung

or perhaps a field mouse has taken up residence in your engine compartment?

And making some nice balsamic vinegar.

Land_Shark · 05-24-2011, 08:45 PM

Oregon Scientific has a devise that you can put in your car to clean/sanitize the air.
You might want to check this out, if the smell of the humidity is that much bothering you.

http://www.oregonscientific.com/products_wellness.asp

"Compact NCCO Air Sanitizing SystemWS908"

juhap · 05-25-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Your heater core might just be leaking. Any moisture under the floor mats by chance?

No moisture. Will add more coolant tomorrow, that should fix issue #2. I'm thinking the other two aren't related. I'll try the Lysol procedure if the funky smell doesn't go away.

Z4@Phuket · 05-26-2011, 05:19 AM

http://solutions.3mindia.co.in/wps/p...-Cleaner+Foam/

I don't know is this a worldwide product?

Z_Victor1 · 07-05-2011, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sg-e89

air con filter, micro filter,

where do we change it?

air con giving a funky smell the first 5 sec upon starting the car after 35k kms, reckon changing it might help

Condensation in the evaporator is breeding ground for............

Run A/C at least once a day (we all do that don't we).
In addition....
Run A/C at FULL HOT once a week.

This will dry out any condensation and kill off the bacteria that is causing your smell/odour

12-10-2010, 06:06 AM	#1
dcs2k Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 414 iTrader: (0)	cabin filter air con filter, micro filter, where do we change it? air con giving a funky smell the first 5 sec upon starting the car after 35k kms, reckon changing it might help
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12-11-2010, 10:20 AM	#8
cdeslandes Captain Drives: 2010 Z4 s35i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 650 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Volvo XC90 [0.00] 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i [5.00]	Try this: * Start engine, open the hood (bonnet) * Open all windows (or better yet, the roof!) * Run aircon on maximum flow & maximum heat for a couple of minutes * Spray a disinfectant (like the Lysol brand we have in the U.S.) into the aircon air intake (in engine compartment under the windshield) for 15-30 seconds * Let aircon run for another couple of minutes The Lysol will kill any mold/bacterial growth in the system. Use a real disinfectant, not just an air freshener. That has worked wonders for me in the past with aircon systems that started smelling like dirty socks after a humid summer... __________________ 2010 BMW Z4 s35i 2013 Volvo XC90 Last edited by cdeslandes; 12-11-2010 at 01:22 PM.

05-24-2011, 12:36 PM	#12
Chuck Tung Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 z4 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 35 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW Z4 3.5i [5.00]	or perhaps a field mouse has taken up residence in your engine compartment? And is pooping and peeing in your air ducts? Last edited by Chuck Tung; 05-24-2011 at 01:32 PM.

05-26-2011, 05:19 AM	#16
Z4@Phuket Lieutenant Drives: Z4 E89 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 435 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW Z4 [4.00] 2004 BMW 525i [0.00]	3M Air Conditioner Coil Cleaner & Disinfectant Foam http://solutions.3mindia.co.in/wps/p...-Cleaner+Foam/ I don't know is this a worldwide product? Attached Images __________________

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12-10-2010, 06:31 PM	#2
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,843 iTrader: (0)	dealer should change at every service... they did mine. might be under glovebox __________________ Last edited by Memphis1; 12-10-2010 at 06:41 PM.

12-10-2010, 07:47 PM	#4
Silver-Bolt Captain Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Melbourne Red Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 783 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Z4 35is [5.00]	The non-freon coolant used in a/c systems gives off a funky musty smell. I doubt a filter change will help.

12-11-2010, 01:37 AM	#7
dcs2k Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 414 iTrader: (0)	thanks for the info. I had used those air freshener types earlier and will try that on again. constant.s might be right, those catless dps and straight thru exhaust might be the culprit too!! as for the placement of the filter, I still cant figure out where it is!

05-24-2011, 11:09 AM	#10
juhap Lieutenant Drives: sDrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 526 iTrader: (0)	Revisiting an old thread.... Lately I've noticed 3 symptoms and after reading this thread I'm wondering if they're all connected: 1) Strange smell coming from the air vents for couple of seconds when starting the car. It doesn't happen every time. I can only describe the smell as slightly vinegary. 2) Add Coolant warning light. I saw it the first time couple of days ago and now again this morning. Forgot to add coolant, because I didn't see the warning light again until this morning. The Owner's Manual suggests that it is not normal for the coolant level to drop. 3) Strange sound coming from somewhere inside the dashboard (hard to locate the source so it could come from anywhere really). Lasts about 2 seconds and is so quiet that I can only hear it when I've stopped or I'm driving really slowly. Seems to happen quite frequently though. Sounds a bit like your stomach when you eat something that doesn't agree with you (and no, it's not my stomach ). My car is about a year old with 17k kms driven in all kinds of weather. The climate here is not humid, but the garage where my car is parked may be humid in winter.

05-24-2011, 08:45 PM	#14
Land_Shark In The Flesh Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 600 iTrader: (0)	Oregon Scientific has a devise that you can put in your car to clean/sanitize the air. You might want to check this out, if the smell of the humidity is that much bothering you. http://www.oregonscientific.com/products_wellness.asp "Compact NCCO Air Sanitizing SystemWS908"