I'd like to get rid of this once and for all.

After running the A/C for a bit, then turning it to ECON, the air stream smells like vinegar. Maybe some of you have had experience with this as a warrantee claim. I know there have been some threads about this but it's hard to tell if the problem went away for good. Is there something the dealer can do to eliminate this recurring odor? I'm tired of the tang.

 

LedZepFoot,
Not sure if it is a related issue, buy my AC has a somewhat floral/acidic smell on startup that goes away after the first 30 seconds or so. Not terribly unpleasant, but it's not Chanel No. 5 either! I talked to my dealer about it, but they said it was nothing unusual. If it gets worse though....so I too am interested in hearing from others who may have resolved this problem.

 

Stealership told me they could only offer to change the air filter as part of their regular service. the next resort would be to have the system cleaned out for $180. Funny that I reach 15,000 miles before they tell me it's not free after 12,000.

 

Thanks, Drumdork, now I know not to wait to have this addressed by the dealer. I'm still under 10k mi so I'll def bring it in before it passes the 12k mark.
I'll post on whatever the results are.

 

Interesting...I got that same blast of vinegar smell for the first time yesterday....today seems fine. [&:]

I am at 6,500 miles on my '08. This will be the first real summer for the A3 and I am curious if the A/C can handle the heat. My OpenSky is tinted up nicely and I am garage parked most of the time.

 

bbbobbb,

Temps hit 40 degrees + celcius here, don't know what that is in F, HOT anyhow! I have Open Sky too, but there are no problems with the AC keeping up. I'm not sure if my AC is exactly the same, when I bought my car, it includes a certificate that Audi has prepared the car for a tropical environment. Maybe it's like the "cold weather package," but I suspect it just means that Audi filled out the form saying their standard config is enough for hot weather! Should be no problems with keeping things cool!

 

Hi TPE,
Gosh I hope so, there is nothing I will be able to do about the temps. Since I live in the desert, Tucson, we routinely see 41 - 43+ Celsius over the summer. It could be worse, I could live in Phoenix. :-)
BB
P.S. I did get the Cold Weather pack for the nifty ski sack I will most likely never use.

 

2 things;

Hit the econ button about a minute before you park and exit - this will warm up and dry the condensor, lessening condensation, mold, and smells.

Change the cabin filter yearly - it's on the passenger side, up behind the glovebox.

 

bbb0bbb

Sounds like a cooker! I've grown to love the heat here, and if it's not 90% humidity outside, it feels dry to me! Tucson would dry me out, but I love the area! Cold weather pack in the desert! Sweet!


Hesaputz, that sounds like great advice!!! Especially here with all the humidity, I'm going to do it everyday when I get my car on the elevator that takes me down to my parking spot, should be spot on 1 minute to dry things out! Is the cabin filter easy to DIY?

 

Yeah - just remove the dash panel behing/below the glovebox to access it.