Disappointed: 4K miles, funky smell already
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Disappointed: 4K miles, funky smell already
I owned the 2010 E350 sedan, and the funky A/C smell would show up after a while. Once the scheduled maintenance came around and the filter was changed, it went away. After another while, the smell would return. My guess is it would go anywhere from 10-15K miles before starting to smell bad.
Well, less than 4K into my 2014 E550 Coupe, the smell is already present. Color me disappointed. Of all the cars I've had, only the Mercedes cars have had this problem.
Well, less than 4K into my 2014 E550 Coupe, the smell is already present. Color me disappointed. Of all the cars I've had, only the Mercedes cars have had this problem.
Last edited by SnakeDoctor; 08-20-2014 at 10:49 PM.
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Charlotte
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2012 C63; 2011 E350 Coupe
21,000 miles here. Never any smell.
Saw a segment on TV that mildew collects in the condenser under the dash area causing the odor.
There is a spray you can buy to kill the mildew. Forgot the name. Don't think it is the filter.
Saw a segment on TV that mildew collects in the condenser under the dash area causing the odor.
There is a spray you can buy to kill the mildew. Forgot the name. Don't think it is the filter.
#3
The smell usually is caused by moisture collecting in some damp areas (e.g. the evaporator) inside the A/C system. That causes mold and mildew, hence the smell.
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
#4
Super Member
Thread Starter
The smell usually is caused by moisture collecting in some damp areas (e.g. the evaporator) inside the A/C system. That causes mold and mildew, hence the smell.
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
#5
Yes, I used to live by the ocean, and many of my cars had the smell in the A/C system over time. Some cars had the smell sooner, some later, all depends.
It is a moisture thing... Hence, I made a habit that before I shut-down the engine, I turned-off the A/C and leave the fan on high (circulation mode off) for a few tens of seconds. That helped.
Or, for the cars equipped with cabin air filter (like the Mercedes), I just change the cabin air filter often. I bought them online, and changed them myself accordingly.
It is a moisture thing... Hence, I made a habit that before I shut-down the engine, I turned-off the A/C and leave the fan on high (circulation mode off) for a few tens of seconds. That helped.
Or, for the cars equipped with cabin air filter (like the Mercedes), I just change the cabin air filter often. I bought them online, and changed them myself accordingly.
#7
Newbie
Mildew Smell "NOT"
I live in the very humid mountains of Virginia and drive a 2011 E550 Coupe. I have never had any problem with bad odor in the A/C system though I do sometimes have minor fogging issues with the windshield on the lower passenger side and the passenger window where the air dust is directed toward. Not sure what could be causing your problem but it is possible that you have some kind of mold colonized in the duct work. Same thing happens to home A/C systems in the very humid Chesapeake Bay area.
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#8
It's been humid here too and at 4K no smell at all. Get some chemical guys new car smell or leather smell and put the AC in recirculate mode and do a couple of sprays near the footwells. Mine smells new all over again.
#9
Super Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Kirk, I've tried that and it helps some. I'll keep trying. It's not as bad as it was, but I assume it's because I no longer run the system on auto. So it's never really going full blast.