strange question about aircon

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 00:47

I have an Audi A3 2L TDI Sline and ive noticed more recently. Once I turn off the aircon (itll be on maybe 10-15mins, turn off it when I get within 2 mins from home) It smells like vinegar or something, just a strange smell.

Not sure this is usual for this car? Any help would be welcome

Dis86 · 24 Jun 2020 at 00:49

Yeah, only happens on the sline. I'd be more concerned that you've got a diesel s3.

PiKe · 24 Jun 2020 at 00:49

Aircon does have a bit of a smell to it, but more normally after its turned on.

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 01:01

Dis86 said:
Yeah, only happens on the sline. I'd be more concerned that you've got a diesel s3.

Updated, would be all over a faster diesel (like GTD/ST3 speed)

I didnt know if the smell meant it was running low or something.

Dis86 · 24 Jun 2020 at 01:08

Probs just a bit of bacterial/fungal build up in there. It can be cleaned with an air con bomb. Could be a dodgy electric motor.
Might be a clogged drain also.

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 01:10

Dis86 said:
Probs just a bit of bacterial/fungal build up in there. It can be cleaned with an air con bomb. Could be a dodgy electric motor.

Ah we used to sell that when working for Stoneacre. I dont suppose you know the name of the product though.

Dis86 · 24 Jun 2020 at 01:11

xraycat87 said:
Ah we used to sell that when working for Stoneacre. I dont suppose you know the name of the product though.

Check the drain lines first. No point using one if they're gunked up. Do you tend to see a water puddle underneath?

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 01:13

Dis86 said:
Check the drain lines first. No point using one if they're gunked up. Do you tend to see a water puddle underneath?

cant say ive seen a pool or water just yet, cars barely been used. maybe 300 miles since march, when we drive normally 12 mile round trip. Air con used maybe 3 times in the last month.

paradigm · 24 Jun 2020 at 06:43

First thing I’d do is stop turning the A/C off. Why do it at all?

Psycho Sonny · 24 Jun 2020 at 08:10

xraycat87 said:
cant say ive seen a pool or water just yet, cars barely been used. maybe 300 miles since march, when we drive normally 12 mile round trip. Air con used maybe 3 times in the last month.

First of all why are you turning the ac off? Leave it on all year round and adjust the temp gauge to suit.

Second good luck with the dpf. I see expensive bills in your future.

Howard · 24 Jun 2020 at 09:04

As above. Leave it on. No need to ever turn it off.

paradigm · 24 Jun 2020 at 09:51

Psycho Sonny said:
First of all why are you turning the ac off? Leave it on all year round and adjust the temp gauge to suit.

Ok, I have to ask, why do you need a different temperature in Winter to Summer? If 19.5c is comfortable, it's comfortable isn't it? The whole point is that the car will decide when it's time to heat or time to cool? Don't think I've changed the climate settings since getting the car.

I don't even adjust it when I open the roof on the TT.

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 09:56

I thought leaving aircon on used fuel and reduced power? As for my DPF I'll have no issue, where I live the post office us 6 mile round trip and 90% of that drive is 60mph so it's not like I do short low speed journeys where the engine doesn't warn up

Psycho Sonny · 24 Jun 2020 at 09:56

paradigm said:
Ok, I have to ask, why do you need a different temperature in Winter to Summer? If 19.5c is comfortable, it's comfortable isn't it? The whole point is that the car will decide when it's time to heat or time to cool? Don't think I've changed the climate settings since getting the car.

I don't even adjust it when I open the roof on the TT.

I just have to. For instance in winter I set my home thermostat to 20C and in Summer I set it to 17C.

there is a huge difference between air temperature and direct sunlight hitting you.

for instance i'm walking in the street it's 18C it feels fine. I walk pas the huge building covering the sun into an open area and now I feel hot with the sun hitting me directly.

so if it's sunny outside. i like to have the car on 18C. if it's dull i'll have it on 20C. similar to my thermostat in the house just 1 degree out to save on gas bills in summer so it hardly comes on.

I live in Scotland though and when I put the roof down in the Z4 I usually stick the heating on and the passenger will usually stick the heated seats on. i'm fine without heated seats and without heating unless it's cold which it sometimes is up here and especially when travelling at speed.

Psycho Sonny · 24 Jun 2020 at 09:57

xraycat87 said:
I thought leaving aircon on used fuel and reduced power? As for my DPF I'll have no issue, where I live the post office us 6 mile round trip and 90% of that drive is 60mph so it's not like I do short low speed journeys where the engine doesn't warn up

you think the engine heats up to temp with 3 miles of driving?

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 09:59

Psycho Sonny said:
you think the engine heats up to temp with 3 miles of driving?

Well by time I'm home it's not on 1 bar temp so I dunno. Not an expert but never had any issues, warnings etc. Done 39k in it so far.

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 10:01

I have a 18 mile trip I need to take later so I'll just keep it on throughout then.

I just thought my mpg and power take a dent when you leave the aircon on.

Psycho Sonny · 24 Jun 2020 at 10:01

xraycat87 said:
Well by time I'm home it's not on 1 bar temp so I dunno. Not an expert but never had any issues, warnings etc. Done 39k in it so far.

you do realise it has to get up to temp then stay at that temp for a while whilst doing a regen?

put it this way a 1 way 6 mile trip isn't enough never mind a round 6 mile trip.

Psycho Sonny · 24 Jun 2020 at 10:06

xraycat87 said:
I have a 18 mile trip I need to take later so I'll just keep it on throughout then.

I just thought my mpg and power take a dent when you leave the aircon on.

they used to on older cars not as much on newer ones. would you rather the aircon broke from irregular use or lose 1 mpg on a modern car if even that?

plus it's a diesel anyway and you do low miles i think mpg is the least of your worries.

xraycat87 · 24 Jun 2020 at 10:32

Psycho Sonny said:
they used to on older cars not as much on newer ones. would you rather the aircon broke from irregular use or lose 1 mpg on a modern car if even that?

plus it's a diesel anyway and you do low miles i think mpg is the least of your worries.

My cars 3 years old and I'm at 39k so I don't do low miles. Just have since lockdown. I mean there were periods of no driving for 2 weeks then a 30mile trip. This isn't about my DPF. The cars fine.

If leaving the aircon on all the time will help I'll do that for a bit simple.