Only started using the air con recently since I bought it. When I turn it on the air smells like plastiky swamp water. Goes away in about 10 minutes but returns next time I start car and start aircon. Anybody else have this problem and what to do. I am going to dealer end of month and will be asking about this.
AL

 

Sounds like moisture/mold/contamination in the HVAC system/ducts and the dealer should cover it under warranty.

 

Thanks. Never seen anything like it.

 

I get this on my new XF also at times, usually when the auto climate calls for warmer air to keep the temperature constant. I remember getting this on my F-Type when it was new and after a while it stopped completely. I am hoping it is just the newness of the car and it will go away as well.

 

The intention of the system is that one keeps the climate control on auto all or most of the time. IMHO you are storing up trouble in leaving the air con compressor idle. I suspect without the air con dehumidifying of the air, the bugs have been able to multiply. Just my opinion.

 

You can fix it yourself if you want?

Spray Lysol into the air intake ports at the base of the windshield.

You want the A/C in max position BUT NOT in recirculate mode. Spray the Lysol pretty heavy into the intake vents so you saturate the evaporator core.

Have all the windows rolled down when you start the car an have the blower on max speed. Let the car run until you don't have much Lysol smell coming out of the dash vents.

This is very common in the south with high humidity.
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You raise a good point. With my previous car, a BMW528i I kept the system on AUTO year round including winter weather and the system never gave me any smells. I will speak with the dealer next week. thanks.
AL

 

The "intake ports at the base of the windshield". On the outside or inside. I am trying to understand which and where these vents are?
thanks
al

 

Yes the base of the windshield outside. All cars pick up fresh air in that area. For our Jags the cabin filter is on the RH side for LHD cars.

I think it's swapped to the other side for RHD cars. So that is the area to spray with Lysol.
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Thanks. Should work too. I remember my neighbours dog mortally wounded a SKUNK which promptly died against my outside house airconditioner system. I sprayed about a half can of Lysol onto the unit and ran it through the entire house. In about 2 hours the skunk smell was gone.

 

Let us know how it worked if you do it.
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First take out the cabin air filter and look at it. It may be the source of your smell. Before replacing it cover the opening and spray your disinfectant and run air through the ducts. If you spray with the filter still in place it will catch most of what you're trying to spread around the system. There are sprays made specifically for automobile AC systems.

 

That's a good point about the special spray.
I think all it has is some deodorant so make sure it will kill bacteria too.

I have never found the smell to be in the filter?
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I had this in my brand new XF last year. The aircon also blew warm air on and off. With the smell coming and going. Dealer couldn't figure out what was wrong, so after 2-3 weeks, I got an all new AC unit.

 

Well there are number of items? The dash control unit? The compressor? The evaporator? The condenser? The expansion valve? Also a number of temperature sensors that can be changed out.

There is no "AC" unit?
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The compressor itself was bad.

 

How do do you get the glovebox door down all the way?