A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We showed at XA:10 in ZZZ. We walked onto the plane and there were fumes present. After Maintenance came onboard he said we were done with that plane. The entire crew waited for further instructions. Eventually we were told never mind we were good to go. The Mechanic had deferred the APU. After conferring with the Duty Chief on whether it was a good idea to operate a plane with repeated fume events he suggested we do it. I elected to do a run up with no customers onboard. We had to wait until another plane departed before the ground crew could assist with a start. As soon as the air was selected on we had fumes throughout the cabin.The plane had multiple fume events. I should not be asked to try and operate a plane with multiple events when the only corrective action is deferring the APU.
A320 Captain reported a fumes event during pre-flight.