How to get smells out of ventilation system?

[christi]

This 96 Passat I've bought, which has (manual) air conditioning and a recirculating function; I've started to notice that the ventilation system is a bit smelly. I think that the previous owner must have smoked in the car, maybe he smoked with the recirculating function switched on and has filled up the system with smoke. I get the smell whenever I first switch on the air vents whether or not I use the air conn or the recirculating function. After a while either I get used to the smell or it reduces.
Any ideas how I can flush the smell out of th e system?

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1996 Passat Tdi estate (wagon)
1988 Peugeot 305 diesel estate
Visit me at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/5067/

 

[kiki]

To be as successful as possible, I would first advise you to change the filter for the ventilation system. At any rate, the following should provide immediate results: First: With the fan on high speed, distribution set for dash and lower level, and the recirculation switch in the off position to allow for fresh air to be introduced; open your engine compartment hood and find the fresh air induction point above the firewall in the area exposed with a grid when the hood is down (for US spec cars it is in front of the passenger). Once you can tell where the air is being pulled in from, use an antibacterial spray injected into that point for a period of 10-30 seconds. Second: Set recirculate into the on position, and locate the point of air induction from the inside of the car (on US spec cars it is again on the passenger side, under the dash and up against the point on the firewall in the center where it comes in contact with the console. Once found, again spray for a period of 10-30 seconds. Third: Shut the fan off and spray liberally into each vent on the dash and let set until dry. Hope this helps - let me know of your results.

 

[Joe Rappa]

Unfortunately there is not much you can do about the musty smell coming from your vents once it happens. It comes from mildew growing in the HVAC system. There are a few companies that sell vent disinfectant. I have used a lot of them. None of them work. The only cure is to take the entire system apart and clean it. That is very time consuming and difficult. To minimize it, you can run the blower without the A/C on for several minutes before shutting the car off. That will prevent water from condensing in the vents after the car is off. Hope this helps.
Joe Rappa

 

[christi]

Yeah, there's something about a Recall for musty smelles listed at http://www.alldata.com/consumer/TSB/62/96622468.html
Anyone know anything about that?
Does it apply to a UK car?

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1996 Passat Tdi estate (wagon)
1988 Peugeot 305 diesel estate
Visit me at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/5067/

 

[Sparky]

I turn off my A/C at the button about three miles from the house. I also turn the fan on full-blast to dry the evaporator coils. This has helped stop most all of the smell at initial startup of the A/C.