sour smell
11-17-2018, 06:15 PM
#2
New cabin air filter = $40. That should do it. Wouldn't hurt to spray some Lysol in there while you're at it.
But if it smells like maple syrup and your windows fog easily, you have a leaky heater core and are breathing antifreeze.
But if it smells like maple syrup and your windows fog easily, you have a leaky heater core and are breathing antifreeze.
11-18-2018, 05:48 AM
#3
AudiWorld Member
Does it smell kind of like vinegar?
I have the same problem on two different Audis (2011 A4, 2017 Q7) and have never been able to figure it out. In my case, it seems related to the AC. The scent appears when the AC first turns on and quickly dissipates, but it is overwhelming to me for a few minutes. Oddly, my wife doesn’t seem sensitive to it and usually can’t even smell it.
The delaership was unhelpful for this. I’ve replaced the cabin air filter multiple times with no success on my own.
[edit: stupid tiny phone keyboard]
I have the same problem on two different Audis (2011 A4, 2017 Q7) and have never been able to figure it out. In my case, it seems related to the AC. The scent appears when the AC first turns on and quickly dissipates, but it is overwhelming to me for a few minutes. Oddly, my wife doesn’t seem sensitive to it and usually can’t even smell it.
The delaership was unhelpful for this. I’ve replaced the cabin air filter multiple times with no success on my own.
[edit: stupid tiny phone keyboard]
11-18-2018, 09:42 AM
#4
AudiWorld Junior Member
All of a sudden last night I had a musky sour/mold smell come out of my vents ... from literally nowhere ... one second it was fine the next it was like musky mold bomb went off. Our air is absolutely filthy from the fires in California so Im going to try to replace the air filter and see what happens. Is this something easy I can do myself? Ive only had the car since February...
11-18-2018, 04:27 PM
#5
AudiWorld Senior Member
Does it smell kind of like vinegar?
I have the same problem on two different Audis (2011 A4, 2017 Q7) and have never been able to figure it out. In my case, it seems related to the AC. The scent appears when the AC first turns on and quickly dissipates, but it is overwhelming to me for a few minutes. Oddly, my wife doesn’t seem sensitive to it and usually can’t even smell it.
The delaership was unhelpful for this. I’ve replaced the cabin air filter multiple times with no success on my own.
[edit: stupid tiny phone keyboard]
I have the same problem on two different Audis (2011 A4, 2017 Q7) and have never been able to figure it out. In my case, it seems related to the AC. The scent appears when the AC first turns on and quickly dissipates, but it is overwhelming to me for a few minutes. Oddly, my wife doesn’t seem sensitive to it and usually can’t even smell it.
The delaership was unhelpful for this. I’ve replaced the cabin air filter multiple times with no success on my own.
[edit: stupid tiny phone keyboard]
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11-26-2018, 06:16 PM
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If its a sour milk, cheesy smell then it may be mold on the AC evaporator coils, here is a TSB covering cars from 2010 - 2023 (seems to be a design issue in Audis): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...10526-0001.pdf