C30 Weird smell

[VolvoRob38]

Hi all,

Has anyone experienced weird smells, possibly from AC?

Ive got a c30 1.6 2009 and there is a strange smell that I think is coming from the cooling vents into the car. I think I notice a bit of a smell when first turning on the AC but this isnt a problem after its been running for a while and cools the air.
But earlier today I smelt a very strange smell, its difficult to describe. The AC was off but the fan might have been going, possibly heating the car up as it has turned a bit nippy.

Apologies for the vagueness, I just noticed it earlier after a short drive and haven't had a chance to thoroughly test things yet. Was just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar.

Thanks

[bugsb]

i had the bad smell when my a/c drain pipe was blocked carpet behind the drivers side was wet at first i thought it was the dog but the dog was at home , plus this was during the hot part of the summer so it was a bad /strong smell
possible easy fix is a new pollen filter always worth doing anyway

[Markos01]

First thing is to change the cabin pollen filter I think. If that doesn't work you can get those sprays you set off inside the car that you leave for 15 mins or so to eliminate bacteria in the vents. After that it's be a trip to an aircon specialist who have more effective chemicals for killing bacteria.

[VolvoRob38]

OK thanks guys..

I was thinking possibly the pollen filter. It doesn't seem to happen all the time, but I'll change the filter and keep an eye.

Thanks 👍🏼

[FunkyMelon]

Put your fans on hot and see if the smell gets worse.

Not uncommon to have heater matrix leaks on these cars.

It's a sweet, almost curry kind of smell.

[VolvoRob38]

Hi, I've had the heater on Hi today as its getting a bit nippy out there now, and its been ok, nice n warm. Warmer than my house lol.

I have tried to recreate the smell, either by heater, aircon, hot/cold on both, and through different vents; windscreen, face, body, feet etc. But cannot get it to do it again.

I'll just have to watch n wait for it to occur again. 👍🏼

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by VolvoRob38

Hi, I've had the heater on Hi today as its getting a bit nippy out there now, and its been ok, nice n warm. Warmer than my house lol.

I have tried to recreate the smell, either by heater, aircon, hot/cold on both, and through different vents; windscreen, face, body, feet etc. But cannot get it to do it again.

I'll just have to watch n wait for it to occur again. 👍🏼

bacteria in your windscreen washer. Flush it through, maybe use something with a vinegar base. refil with clean volvo washing fluid. If this is the cause it is indeed intermittent

[pdig]

Hello.

Garage at dealership advised me to switch on a/c periodically with heat to burn off any dust or residue that collects on the a/c parts. The smell is sometimes a bit fishy literally. This has solved the problem in my car.

[VolvoRob38]

Hi all, thanks for all the ideas...

I noticed it or something again the other day, and it was raining and I think I had the windscreen blower on which is set to AC on hot.

After noticing this I cycled through the settings to see if I could pint point the problem but it seemed to go after a while, and was most prominent on the windscreen blower, ac on hot.

Ive just refilled my ac a month or two ago and so have the ac on quite regularly, even just for short periods, as I know not to leave it unused for too long.

I think the wet weather may have something to do with it.

I dont know how to describe the smell, not sure about fishy or sweet curry, I find it... maybe like a dust smell, if that's even a thing. I seems hard to breathe in or unpleasant on my airways.

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by VolvoRob38

Hi all, thanks for all the ideas...

I noticed it or something again the other day, and it was raining and I think I had the windscreen blower on which is set to AC on hot.

After noticing this I cycled through the settings to see if I could pint point the problem but it seemed to go after a while, and was most prominent on the windscreen blower, ac on hot.

Ive just refilled my ac a month or two ago and so have the ac on quite regularly, even just for short periods, as I know not to leave it unused for too long.

I think the wet weather may have something to do with it.

I dont know how to describe the smell, not sure about fishy or sweet curry, I find it... maybe like a dust smell, if that's even a thing. I seems hard to breathe in or unpleasant on my airways.

like I said, it's often bacteria in the screen washer set up... do a search. if it kicked in when raining did you use the wipers and washers by chance?