Moldy smell from vents.. Want to spray Lysol into air intake.
10-26-2008, 04:39 PM
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Moldy smell from vents.. Want to spray Lysol into air intake.
My 02 c220 has a moldy smell coming from the vents. If the AC is on, the smell goes away after a while, if the AC is off ( EC REST) the smell lingers much longer...
After reading here, I figure i might as well try spraying Lysol into the air intake before anything else, but I have a few questions...
1. Where exactly is the intake? Is it by the battery? like here-> https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/213268-diy-cabin-filter-replacement.html
2. Do i spray the whole can while the AC is ON or OFF?
3. How long do I leave the AC/AIR ON for after spraying?
4. DO i turn recycle on while doing this ?
5. Are there any other filters in the car that can be replaced to avoid this smell?
In addition to the above I read about cleaning the mold off the evaporator, can i do this my self and if so, where is it located...
After reading here, I figure i might as well try spraying Lysol into the air intake before anything else, but I have a few questions...
1. Where exactly is the intake? Is it by the battery? like here-> https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/213268-diy-cabin-filter-replacement.html
2. Do i spray the whole can while the AC is ON or OFF?
3. How long do I leave the AC/AIR ON for after spraying?
4. DO i turn recycle on while doing this ?
5. Are there any other filters in the car that can be replaced to avoid this smell?
In addition to the above I read about cleaning the mold off the evaporator, can i do this my self and if so, where is it located...
10-26-2008, 05:08 PM
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1996 MB E320 & 2010 Nissan Elgrand
I had the same smell everytime I just turned on my AC/heater and it's been happening for years.
I'm doing the cabin/AC filter soon to solve the smell, maybe you should just do the same..
I'm doing the cabin/AC filter soon to solve the smell, maybe you should just do the same..
10-26-2008, 05:46 PM
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2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
Your local auto parts stocks a spray especially for cleaning your air conditioning evaporator. It works better for this purpose than Lysol.
The air intake is on the passenger side of the car, below the windshield. Remove the cover above the battery, and spray according to the instructions on the can. You will have to repeat the process every few months.
The air intake is on the passenger side of the car, below the windshield. Remove the cover above the battery, and spray according to the instructions on the can. You will have to repeat the process every few months.
10-26-2008, 06:05 PM
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10-26-2008, 06:18 PM
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I don't know. I've seen it used by our dealer service network. It's in a typical MB silver can. I'm not even sure whether it's available in all countries.
10-29-2008, 11:33 PM
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Do not waste your money on the dealer service. I had it done and it was a complete waste. $160 thrown away. I called the dealer and stated it did not fix the problem. They told me to spray Lysol into the return. They are the holes in the piece of plastic in the passenger foot well.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
10-30-2008, 01:29 AM
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a quarter mile at a time
Do not waste your money on the dealer service. I had it done and it was a complete waste. $160 thrown away. I called the dealer and stated it did not fix the problem. They told me to spray Lysol into the return. They are the holes in the piece of plastic in the passenger foot well.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
10-30-2008, 10:36 AM
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Do not waste your money on the dealer service. I had it done and it was a complete waste. $160 thrown away. I called the dealer and stated it did not fix the problem. They told me to spray Lysol into the return. They are the holes in the piece of plastic in the passenger foot well.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
My dealer replaced the core (warranty) in my 04 c240 and of course the smell went away - now of course after @ 6 months it is back.
10-30-2008, 04:27 PM
#13
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Do not waste your money on the dealer service. I had it done and it was a complete waste. $160 thrown away. I called the dealer and stated it did not fix the problem. They told me to spray Lysol into the return. They are the holes in the piece of plastic in the passenger foot well.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
I put the A/C fan into recirculate at full speed and spray for about 10 seconds and then turn off the fan. I usually do this a few times a week and when I am done driving for the night since the Lysol has a strong smell. It does get rid of the majority of the problem but not all. Just something I will have to live with.
Unfortunately the only way to have this problem solved is to have the evaporator core changed. I am sure it is pretty expensive and the same thing will probably return in a year or two.
$160, they saw you coming. Our dealers here give everything a squirt at every service. Charge - nominal - maybe $15 - This does not let the problem develop in the first place. The trick is not to let the bacteria multiply.
10-30-2008, 06:32 PM
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2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Get some of this: http://www.1z-usa.com/AC_Cleaner.html
10-30-2008, 06:36 PM
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C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
No that i know where the intake is, I'm soo dropping an air freshener tree in there! 
EDIT: I live in Las Vegas and my c230 does this as well. Then again, i traced the owner history of my card and it's from socal so it may have started there.
EDIT: I live in Las Vegas and my c230 does this as well. Then again, i traced the owner history of my card and it's from socal so it may have started there.
Last edited by billbugger; 10-30-2008 at 06:39 PM.
11-02-2008, 12:42 PM
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2005 c230k
Get some of this: http://www.1z-usa.com/AC_Cleaner.html
11-02-2008, 12:43 PM
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2005 c230k
The dealers are notourious for over charging for services just to fill their pockets. That is why I go to them only as an absolute last resort.
08-15-2009, 04:54 PM
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2005 C230 Sport Sedan w/Automatic
I'm bringing this thread back to life. Unless I missed it, I still can't tell where the fresh air intake, for the A/C, is located. I see where the cabin air filter is located but no fresh air intake. Can someone explain where the fresh air intake is located?
Thanks,
Leif W.
Thanks,
Leif W.
08-15-2009, 06:28 PM
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08-15-2009, 07:15 PM
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Since this thread is back, I will add a bit more info. The one thing I am not doing any more is turning the compressor off a few minutes before I get home. This really has seemed to reduce the problem alot. It was a bit of a problem in the earlier part of the spring/summer but no where near the level it was before. When the really hot part of the summer came on it has not been a problem at all. I still use the Lysol about once a month though. I just see it as part of the regular maintenance for this car.
08-15-2009, 11:10 PM
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08-15-2009, 11:13 PM
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Since this thread is back, I will add a bit more info. The one thing I am not doing any more is turning the compressor off a few minutes before I get home. This really has seemed to reduce the problem alot. It was a bit of a problem in the earlier part of the spring/summer but no where near the level it was before. When the really hot part of the summer came on it has not been a problem at all. I still use the Lysol about once a month though. I just see it as part of the regular maintenance for this car.
Thanks,
Leif
08-16-2009, 12:12 AM
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08-16-2009, 01:56 AM
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If you can do both it is pretty good, but I have notice that the door on the cabin filter side is usually closed so it is pointless.
If you do not know what the door is, it is a flap that closes when the outside temp is over 97?. An easy way to see how it works is to look behind the cabin filter when the car is off. You will see the fan. Turn on the car and you will see what appears to be a sleeve that will come up and close off outside air from coming in. It will gradually open as the interior of the car cools. The manufacture felt that when the outside temp is very hot, it is more efficient to just cool the air inside the cabin. Then slowly allow outside air to come in. Whole process is about 30 mins before the door is fully open again.
This is the main reason that I only use the return vents in the passenger foot well, since the door is closed most all the time in the summer.
If you do not know what the door is, it is a flap that closes when the outside temp is over 97?. An easy way to see how it works is to look behind the cabin filter when the car is off. You will see the fan. Turn on the car and you will see what appears to be a sleeve that will come up and close off outside air from coming in. It will gradually open as the interior of the car cools. The manufacture felt that when the outside temp is very hot, it is more efficient to just cool the air inside the cabin. Then slowly allow outside air to come in. Whole process is about 30 mins before the door is fully open again.
This is the main reason that I only use the return vents in the passenger foot well, since the door is closed most all the time in the summer.
