I tried all the local motor factors and a large heating/ aircon suppliers for the spray - no luck.

I contacted a local vehicle aircon engineer and he knew of the problem. Said he had to do a porshe and vectra this afternoon so had no spare cans of disinfectant (he doesn't keep many spare cans as the propellant fails very quickly) . He said he would get me one asap for £22.00 and ring me when available.

3 hours later he had picked some up from Manchester and wanted to meet me to see (smell) the problem. Result - He agreed that nasties were probably in the ducting and evaporators and said he would blast the full system. He did this through all the vents, up the drain pipes, into the rear intake tried but failed to access the front evaporator. Vehicle left for 15mins then fans run on slow for a while then aircon switched on. Smells seemed to have gone on most vents. Repeated injection into front centre and n/s vents until dripping out of motor housing. Waited 10 mins and tried again. Hard to tell if completely gone but definitely alot better.

The can has a 1 metre flexi pipe on it with a spreader head to give 360 degree spray pattern.

He had concerns about the pollen filter (we couldn't find it). He was going to get info from London re the filter / front evaporator and get back to me.

The disinfectant spray is made by WURTH SABESTO.

The engineers company is called CHILL OUT, based in Lancashire. Tel 01772 603000 "James"

I asked about a regas. He said that mine was working fine (better than modern ones). Also said R12 to R134 not a good idea because of cost to change seals, certain pipes and fill points etc. He uses a gas type R 412 (I think) which does not contain butane but is suitable for our systems. Estimated cost was £60 for future reference. he did say that no present day gas will cool as efficiently as R12 and said don't ask for it to be done until it fails. He suggested a topup of oil would do no harm. James was very professional (put rags down inside the bus to catch expelled disinfectant) and very quick to respond. The cost...........£20.00. Excellent service !

No photos taken as it all happened so quickly but I,ll be getting down to the pollen filter / evaporator and will take photos.

Ray Ambler, 20 July 2002