Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Funny smell

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
Post Reply
User avatar
Insight G40
Member
Member
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 10:59 pm
Location: Hampshire

Funny smell

Post by Insight G40 » Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:06 pm

When I turn the blower fan up, I get a strange damp/ musty smell in the X, both with and without aircon on, that appears to be more pronounced when it's been wet.

I'd almost say it smells faintly of chemical camping toilet.

Anyone ideas why this is happening? Or where I can start to look?
E53 Sept 2006 3.0D Sport

themoog
Member
Member
Posts: 434
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 9:29 am

Re: Funny smell

Post by themoog » Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:18 am

May be mould in the ac. Spray Neutradol into the air intake under the bonnet. Replace cabin filter as well. Also check there are no leaks around the filter housing.

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 19037
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Funny smell

Post by X5Sport » Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:46 am

Both are easy to do.  The filter is a 5 min swap job and ECP sell them.  I chose to use the activated charcoal version.  Cheaper from them rather than BMW!
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
Insight G40
Member
Member
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 10:59 pm
Location: Hampshire

Re: Funny smell

Post by Insight G40 » Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:48 pm

Cheers, I'll give that a go.

Am I correct in thinking the filter is under the scuttle tray on the near side in a black box?
E53 Sept 2006 3.0D Sport

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 19037
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Funny smell

Post by X5Sport » Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:54 pm

It's within the scuttle tray under the cover with the finger twist 90deg latches.  Runs pretty much the full width of that tray.  Video linky below:

http://youtu.be/evZOk221Ht0
Last edited by X5Sport on Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Smeeagain
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1860
Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Funny smell

Post by Smeeagain » Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:25 pm

you can also buy a 'bomb'. Here is link but I'm not endorsing that product, its just an example and others are available
http://www.bilthamber.com/air-con-bomb-citrus

You switch on the blows to full, activate the bomb (instructions on it but basically just press a button on top), sit it on the floor of the car and close the doors and let it do its stuff ten/fifteen mins as I recall. it gets into the system and kills the bugs basically.

I've done it a couple of times over the last six years. very effective and low cost

Post Reply