Would some kind person tell me how to get at the air filter element on the air conditioner of my Mk5 Polo TDI SE please.
I can't even see the thing, but it's got something in it that smells revolting.
Thanks in anticipation
Don Palmer
Replacing filter element on air-conditioning of Mk5
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Don Palmer
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- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2004 4:30 pm
- Location: Surrey UK
Hey Don,
AFAIK, it's hidden under the black plastic panel, just below the wiper blades. You'll need to open the bonnet en probably undo some clips.
Sorry for being vague, but the procedure differes from model to model, and I don't have a Mk5 to test. It should be described in your owner's manual too, if you have it.
HTH!
AFAIK, it's hidden under the black plastic panel, just below the wiper blades. You'll need to open the bonnet en probably undo some clips.
Sorry for being vague, but the procedure differes from model to model, and I don't have a Mk5 to test. It should be described in your owner's manual too, if you have it.
HTH!
If it smells like its got an pair of old trainers in it then you don't need to change the filter - the problem is a culture of bacteria - infact the same ones you get in your trainers.
VW - and infact any car manufacturer will have an aerosol that can be used on recirculation for about 5 minutes that kills the bugs and coats the evap unit to stop the problem for a couple of years.
Nothing else is likely to clear it. Afterward you are best to switch off AC for about 2 minutes at the end of your journey to dry out the evap.
I have been thinking of a mod that you could do to prevent the problem and that is to use an ioniser upstream of the heat exchanger - that will kill those bugs. and will make it smell crisp and clean.
VW - and infact any car manufacturer will have an aerosol that can be used on recirculation for about 5 minutes that kills the bugs and coats the evap unit to stop the problem for a couple of years.
Nothing else is likely to clear it. Afterward you are best to switch off AC for about 2 minutes at the end of your journey to dry out the evap.
I have been thinking of a mod that you could do to prevent the problem and that is to use an ioniser upstream of the heat exchanger - that will kill those bugs. and will make it smell crisp and clean.
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Don Palmer
- New
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2004 4:30 pm
- Location: Surrey UK
Thanks Speedlaw and JWC
Your information is spot on; it was the last place I’d of thought to look. I can see the filter element when I lift the front of the black plastic covering the windscreen wiper area but broke one of the flat, rectangular-headed plastic rivets securing it at the back and still can’t see how it is intended to remove them, short of breaking off the heads and obtaining replacements.
Your suggestion to look for information in the owner’s handbook was, I presume, a joke. A bit like asking a politician for the truth.
I’ll try the aerosol JWC suggests on the element without removing it. Sounds promising.
However I’m sure you’ve set me on the right path and for that I’m very grateful.
Don.
Your information is spot on; it was the last place I’d of thought to look. I can see the filter element when I lift the front of the black plastic covering the windscreen wiper area but broke one of the flat, rectangular-headed plastic rivets securing it at the back and still can’t see how it is intended to remove them, short of breaking off the heads and obtaining replacements.
Your suggestion to look for information in the owner’s handbook was, I presume, a joke. A bit like asking a politician for the truth.
I’ll try the aerosol JWC suggests on the element without removing it. Sounds promising.
However I’m sure you’ve set me on the right path and for that I’m very grateful.
Don.
Yeah, I seen them plastic things. I think they just pop out. Wait until its very warm then have a go. But I'm certain that it is bacteria, I know this because I have just had to have mine treated! I say warm because they are far less likely to snap when warm. It is a replaceable filter and its for pollen, so its unlikely to be a clip breaking job (at least when its newish)
But then, I may be confused with my Haynes'.