'03 BMW 325iT Problem or Bad Design?

[joy]

I have a '03 BMW 325iT and I was driving it up Laurel Canyon (windy mountain road) on a rainy day. I noticed the windows were starting to fog, so I immediately hit the defroster.

This resulted in the entire windshield being covered in a green mist that smelled terrible. I couldn't see out (making it very dangerous), so I immediately turned off system and most of the mist went away. However, it was still coming out of the interior dash vents and smelled horrible.

I took the car to the dealer to see what was wrong. I don't have any idea if they're lying to me or if it's horrible design.

Basically, they said that all E46s have an interior green tint to the windshield, and what my window was fogged up with was stagnant water. They also put my car onto a lift and watched it overnight and found no coolant leaking. The shop foreman told me that he had seen this problem before in E46s, and the 745Li. He said that under certain circumstances (rain, high humidity, etc.) that the water builds up in a reservoir and becomes stagnant. When I turn on the sytem, all the water is blasting out.

The best solution he could give me was to leave the climate control system on constantly, with the fan set on the lowest instead of turning it off. That way water won't build up in the system preventing this kind of problem.

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem or is it just a bad design?

Joy

[Terry Kennedy]

I have a '03 BMW 325iT and I was driving it up Laurel Canyon (windy mountain road) on a rainy day. I noticed the windows were starting to fog, so I immediately hit the defroster.

This resulted in the entire windshield being covered in a green mist that smelled terrible. I couldn't see out (making it very dangerous), so I immediately turned off system and most of the mist went away. However, it was still coming out of the interior dash vents and smelled horrible.

I took the car to the dealer to see what was wrong. I don't have any idea if they're lying to me or if it's horrible design.
There's a couple things here. First, our windshields are somewhat more prone to fogging than other cars. BMW has an informational bulletin on this, which starts:

SUBJECT
Windshield Fogging

MODEL
All E46, E38 and E39

SITUATION
The front windshield may fog after heavy rain and high humidity.

CORRECTION
Advise the customer to keep the inside surface of the windshield clean to avoid excessive condensation. In addition, some E46 customers may find it desirable to reprogram the Key Memory settings to activate the A/C compressor on engine start-up and "open the defrost vent when cooling".

This setting will automatically activate the A/C compressor each time the ignition key is turned on and will still allow for the A/C compressor to be turned off or on "manually" from the IHKA control panel.

And of course, all the old standbys, like opening the windows a tad, etc. can help with this, as can changing the air recirculation button setting on the climate control panel. A lot depends on whether it is warmer/cooler outside, wetter/drier outside, etc. as with any other car.

Next, the E46 climate control is known to develop a musty smell from mold in the microfilter and associated ductwork. This isn't unique to our cars - a friend had a Taurus that was even worse than this. BMW recently updated their service procedures for this problem and you should refer your dealer to service bulletin 64 04 03, as well as the older bulletin 64 08 91.

[Desertnate]

My climate control has never been turned off totally, so I can't comment on that portion.

However, I too have noticed that my widows will fog very quickly when it is cold and rainy. It is even worse when I have passengers.

My solution...I just run the A/C and raise the temp up a couple of degrees. Works like a champ.

[MG67]

I had the same problem when I bought mine last year April. Brought it in at Assael BMW and they cleaned the A/C put some cleaning stuff on top of the unit and ever since it's been smooth sailing... :D
I notice however that sometimes when my windows fog up I turn on the defroster and it works like a charm... I must say that my wife's 330ci's windows fog up faster then my 325iT...

[joy]

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my problem. My windows were slightly fogged just from it being humid and foggy outside, it was annoying, but not a problem.

My windows became completely fogged with a green mist when I hit the defroster. The defroster caused green fogging. The dealer tells me that sometimes the system spits out stagnant water and that the BMW's interior windshied is tinted green? Is anyone else's windshield tinted green?

As for the moldy smell, I'll take it to another dealer and see what they say.

Thanks.

Joy

[Plaz]

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my problem. My windows were slightly fogged just from it being humid and foggy outside, it was annoying, but not a problem.

My windows became completely fogged with a green mist when I hit the defroster. The defroster caused green fogging. The dealer tells me that sometimes the system spits out stagnant water and that the BMW's interior windshied is tinted green? Is anyone else's windshield tinted green?

As for the moldy smell, I'll take it to another dealer and see what they say.

Thanks.

Joy
I had this happen with a ruptured heater core in my Buick 15 years ago. The green stuff was antifreeze.

I'd try their suggestions for a week or two, then full-blast the defroster someplace safe, and see if the green goes away. If it doesn't, I'd press them to look harder for a leak.

[mbushnell]

I had this happen with a ruptured heater core in my Buick 15 years ago. The green stuff was antifreeze.

I'd try their suggestions for a week or two, then full-blast the defroster someplace safe, and see if the green goes away. If it doesn't, I'd press them to look harder for a leak.

If it was a leaking heater core, wouldn't one smell the coolant? I don't know about the new coolants used these days, but the old stuff you could tell if there was a leak because you smelled it.

[Plaz]

If it was a leaking heater core, wouldn't one smell the coolant? I don't know about the new coolants used these days, but the old stuff you could tell if there was a leak because you smelled it.

Joy said it "smelled terrible." Hard to determine if that was an anti-freeze smell, or the more common mildew/mold smell the unit often briefly emits.

[joy]

Joy said it "smelled terrible." Hard to determine if that was an anti-freeze smell, or the more common mildew/mold smell the unit often briefly emits.

I had a problem with the heater core exploding on my old Volvo; this seemed very similar to the Volvo, but I'm not sure if the BMW was fuming coolant, all I know is it smelled toxic.

The dealer said they put the car up on a lift overnight and found no leaks, and therefore ruled out coolant. They said they also did not find any coolant on the windshield, but I'm not sure, because they did wash the car and may have wiped off all the coolant.

Anyhow, they also claimed to have replicated this problem I was experiencing with two other E46s.

I am still very suspect about the fact that the mist was green and they claimed the interior window was tinted green. I assume no one else's windshield turns green?

Anyhow, when I went to the dealership and they told me this, I was unable to replicate the problem. The defroster worked perfectly; it only blasted clean hot air.

So far, I've been running the a/c constantly to avoid the problem, there's been no reocurrances.

[Plaz]

I am still very suspect about the fact that the mist was green and they claimed the interior window was tinted green. I assume no one else's windshield turns green?

This is what makes me suspicious as well... but who knows. Maybe some funky green mold grew in there. But I've never heard of this happening. :dunno:

[joy]

This is what makes me suspicious as well... but who knows. Maybe some funky green mold grew in there. But I've never heard of this happening. :dunno:

Thanks, now I know I'm not crazy for thinking the windshield's not tinted green. Anyhow, I'll call the dealer tomorrow and point them to the service bulletin's that Terry pointed out and see what they say.

[rruiter]

I had a problem with the heater core exploding on my old Volvo; this seemed very similar to the Volvo, but I'm not sure if the BMW was fuming coolant, all I know is it smelled toxic.

The dealer said they put the car up on a lift overnight and found no leaks, and therefore ruled out coolant. They said they also did not find any coolant on the windshield, but I'm not sure, because they did wash the car and may have wiped off all the coolant.

Anyhow, they also claimed to have replicated this problem I was experiencing with two other E46s.

I am still very suspect about the fact that the mist was green and they claimed the interior window was tinted green. I assume no one else's windshield turns green?

Anyhow, when I went to the dealership and they told me this, I was unable to replicate the problem. The defroster worked perfectly; it only blasted clean hot air.

So far, I've been running the a/c constantly to avoid the problem, there's been no reocurrances.

They put it on a lift to see if it leaked overnight ? They should pressurize the cooling system to see if it leaks. Once the pressure is off the cooling system it might not leak so an overnight check won't work.
The smell is something that happens with AC systems in cars. the condensation in the system molds and starst smelling bad. The dealer has ways to clean the system.
On my Ford I always prevented this by running the last .5 mile to my home with the ac off and normal air blowing in the cabin. Not sure if this would work on a bmw.
The green color I would worry about, this could indicate coolant leaking. Coolant is toxic (well most of them out there) so you don't want to inhale this too often.

[joy]

They put it on a lift to see if it leaked overnight ? They should pressurize the cooling system to see if it leaks. Once the pressure is off the cooling system it might not leak so an overnight check won't work.
The smell is something that happens with AC systems in cars. the condensation in the system molds and starst smelling bad. The dealer has ways to clean the system.
On my Ford I always prevented this by running the last .5 mile to my home with the ac off and normal air blowing in the cabin. Not sure if this would work on a bmw.
The green color I would worry about, this could indicate coolant leaking. Coolant is toxic (well most of them out there) so you don't want to inhale this too often.

I've called the dealer and given them the technical service #s Terry gave me. They said that the cost of cleaning is not covered under warranty, but as goodwill since I bought the car from that dealership, they are going to do it for free and provide me with a BMW loaner.

They said they pressurized it and then put it on a lift or something like that. I think think they did do the pressurizing, but they just didn't find any leaks.

I haven't been able to replicate the green fogging, though last night, the fog was iridescent (not normal) and my passenger was screaming about the smell. The dealer just told me the same thing about just running the blower. He also said he was going to show me how to put Lysol disinfectant in the air filter and such to prevent this from happening in addition to just blowing the fan.

Did the rest of you pay for this service or was it covered under warranty or by the dealership?

[rruiter]

I've called the dealer and given them the technical service #s Terry gave me. They said that the cost of cleaning is not covered under warranty, but as goodwill since I bought the car from that dealership, they are going to do it for free and provide me with a BMW loaner.

They said they pressurized it and then put it on a lift or something like that. I think think they did do the pressurizing, but they just didn't find any leaks.

I haven't been able to replicate the green fogging, though last night, the fog was iridescent (not normal) and my passenger was screaming about the smell. The dealer just told me the same thing about just running the blower. He also said he was going to show me how to put Lysol disinfectant in the air filter and such to prevent this from happening in addition to just blowing the fan.

Did the rest of you pay for this service or was it covered under warranty or by the dealership?

That sounds better. At least it is not leaking. It has to be some fungus hanging out in the ducting. I've heard some people get in under control by spraying some desinfectant inthe intake. Be aware that part of that it will also be sprayed into the cabin and you will breathe it in if you are driving it. I'd do it in the driveway and let it run for a couple minutes first. Some people fog it heavily with desinfectant and leave it overnight. Trial and error I guess.
The smell is bad... like dirty wet socks.. or a wet dog.. nasty.