A/C: Recirc button not working, smelly a/c

[denial512]

I'm not sure if this is normal for Z4s, so please tell me.

In my other cars, is300/STi/X5, etc, when you hit the recirc button, the there is greater air velocity coming out of the vents (makes sense... not having to push air into an 'air tight' cabin).

Now, for this Z4 3.0si, when I hit the recirc, nothing happens. No noticeable change in air velocity. The air isn't cooler. Nothing.

I know that on my X5, it definitely has a night/day difference when I switch it on.

Also, what's killing me these days, is that since I have the top up with AC on with more regularity, I'm hating the previous owner, who definitely smoked. How the heck do I get the smoke smell outta the A/C?

Thanks for suggestions/comments.

[thekurgan]

The smoke smell may be in the plastic ductwork. There is a spray from Wurth, used to treat smelly ductwork caused by moisture but it may help with that smell. Plastic is tough, since it's porous, when it gets hot/cold, the smells can emit once again. If it's mostly in the mid-level vents, you can probably get those parts replaced cheaper and do it yourself but more likely, it's throughout all the ductwork.

[rps]

When I sold cars in a previous life, we had a guy that would come around to detail the inside of cars that were being sold. At that time, about 15 years ago, he had a spray that he would apply in all places in the interior. He also had a special spray that would eliminate smoke smell, which really worked. Check with a used car lot and see if they would order you a bottle when their supplier comes by with detail products.

[ElRedOne]

Try placing an open bucket of vinegar inside the car and close the top and windows. You may want to run the blower with recirc on. This worked for me in a room where my son used to smoke, and the odors are gone, though I did leave it there for days. It's an old and ultra-cheap method.

[Hawkeye]

I can test when I go out to my car tonight. From what I recall there is no difference in air speed when using the recirc button though.

You can also change the filter out and that may help with the smoke smell a bit.

[wasupdu]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

There is a spray from Wurth, used to treat smelly ductwork caused by moisture but it may help with that smell.

I mentioned this to the dealer when I took my 5-series in for maintenance and they used a spray similar to this that took care of it. 2 years and 20,000 miles later and I've yet to have another problem with the smell. It was kinda funny though when a passenger would get in the car and you'd try to justify why a $50k "luxury car" smelled like ass.

[rps]

There are two positions to the recirculation mode. The first one only closes the outside vent when it senses pollution, don't ask me how it does this. The other position to the right of the first places the climate control into true recirculation mode and there is a difference in the fan speed. Hope this helps.