describe the smell, is it metallic? or sour and nose tickling?

I had similar to this for 12 months on my GV from new, mine was the cold aluminimum in the evap core and the condensation that settles on it that gives the "metallic" odour.

If its sour and "funky" It can be caused by a bit of mould when the cars left sitting. if put away with a damp core. More air, less moisture, less smell as the core dries, gets cold and mould doesn't release spores to tickle the nostrils. More apparent first few miles, further you go it gets better?

Try shutting the a/c off for 2 mins before turning off car, leave fan on high to dry off core and see if that helps. If you can leave heater on "fresh" and windows cracked to allow a bit of air circulation in the car when parked that will help.

Mines come right, no smell now. In my case it was just a metallic smell from the a/c evaporator thats now subsided and i only get it when its 25+ outside and its working hard to cool the car.

 

Thanks for that 2013GV. The smell is stale/sour like the air con needs servicing which it shouldn't as the car was less than a year old when the smell began. It doesn't go away after a few miles - seems to get worse actually. Only noticable after engine has heated up. I will try your suggestion.

 

My remedy has been liberal use of a Lysol aerosol in the intake with the fan on - I'm not familiar with the new Vitara, but most Suzukis have the recirculate intake behind the glove box, if that's where yours is, set the controls to recirculate, flip the glove box down so that you can reach the intake and spray liberally - leave the car running with the a/c on for 5~10 mins and then you can switch it off.

 

yeah, from your description it sounds like its got a bit of mould growing on it, lysol or any other disinfectant spray would be advisable. If its a "cold metallic" type odour, thats normal.

As Fordem suggests, you can do it via the recirc inlet, or on fresh via the bonnet vents, recirc is probably a better way of getting it in there.

If you have an AC servicing outfit near you, they have some specific stuff for just this purpose, home units suffer from the same thing if they don't get enough fresh air around the home.

 

I think one of the biggest problems we have here in the UK, is that car owners generally just don't use the aircon enough in their cars. I know from the place where I work, that our techs frequently regas 3 to 4 year old cars because of lack of use, seals drying out etc and sometimes they have to replace the compressor too.

As far as our Vitara goes, the aircon is used every single day when the car is in use, summer and winter. It's cold when required, it never smells odd. Same with my 10 year old Saab 9-3, never had an issue with it.

 

Thanks for that. I use my air con every single day that I use the car throughout the year although as I say I can go a couple of days without driving it

 

get it de scunged then drive the last mile or so of the trip home with the ac off, but fan on to dry the evap core so its dry when parked up, will prevent it from reoccurring