JLmb

I bought this 2012 ML 350 bluetec one year ago with 25k miles. Im having a very strong, toxic odor mainly in the morning when I go to work. I even have to open the windows to breath fresh air. I changed all air filters, cleaned the evaporator with DWD2 thinking it might be mildew or some bacteria but still the same odor in the morning. I can't even identify what this toxic odor is. If it could be some fumes from the engine or battery??? D,on't really know!!!
I would apprecite if somebody had have this issue and let me know what could be. I love the car but I might have to sell it. I can not deal with this odor...

pcy

Is the smell present PRIOR to starting the car in the morning? That is, when you open the door in the morning before starting the car, do you smell that odor?

JLmb

Thanks for your prompt response. The smell is there when you open the door prior to start the engine.

pcy

Has the battery been replaced in that car? If so, do you know if the battery vent tube was reconnected to the new battery?

Even if the battery has not been replaced, if I were you, I'd check the vent tube for the battery (under passenger seat).

PeterUbers

Could still be evaporator... is it musty like mildew

does is smell sweet ... could be coolant

did you change windshield fluid? Could be a foul smelling odor from that fluid

does the engine bay smell?

is it an organic smell like rotting? Maybe rodent got into something and died

JLmb

The battery was changed 18 months in MB dealer . I thought the same thing and checked for it already. It is connected, what I did not check (and I will) if it is not clogged. I don't believe so but at least to make sure!!! If you have any other suggestion I will appreciate. Do you think mold in the evaporator or ac ducts can cause this odor?
I heard the car has a secondary battery its located between the rear bumper and the spare tire???

PeterUbers

you're not describing the odor, I have no idea without more info

did it smell when you bought it? Or when did this start?

JLmb

It is like chemical not organic smell. When you get into the car you feel it but do not think its going to be so toxic. It is like when you clean with some product containing sulfuric acid. I thought it could be the DEF (bluetec) liquid, the battery, diesel or some fumes coming from the engine but the RARE is most of the time in the morning. When the car is parked overnight, in the evening when I go back home it does NOT smell or very little almost nothing

RA112623

sulfur sounds (smells?) like battery. i had an ac leak in a car. the smell is a distinct chemical type, but not harsh. whatever, i would get it to a dealer for at least a diagnostic. battery fumes are deadly. good luck, ron

JLmb

It's annoying, what I feel in my throat is like when you breathe the smoke of an exhaust that irritates the throat, but the sound of the engine is not as if the exhaust was broken nowhere.

DanD.

What doesn't make any scenes is there no smell after work.
Overnight parking time proximately the same as a full work day, so the car should have the same odor smell.
Do you park your car in the garage? If so, park it outside for one night.

JLmb

The car always stay outside overnight in Florida (no cold weather) the odor is stronger in the morning and stay during driver time and usually you can feel it in the evening but not too strong. I dont know if it might be something (some substance) the previous owner put through the ac vents that is now "killing me".
Some advice to clean the entire ac duct system?
Thanks to everybody giving their advices

nookie

check the battery again, see if it's bulging or something, or remove it overnight.
had that happen in aircraft one time, battery replaced, problem fixed. first thought was like dead mouse or something, no go. was battery.

PeterUbers

Does the engine bay smell like this?

the prep owner could have bombed the hvac and interior with some deodorizer to kill some other odor

has this smell been there since your ownership

JLmb

Ok Nookie. I will check again even when it look find from the top because in MLs we have to take it out because is very difficult to do a complete check because of its location. I took the cover out and there is no smell from there and was not hot neither...

Peter, I think you are right. The previous owner I think did something because before I put the foam (DWD2) to "clean" the Evaporator the odor used to come from the ac vents. What I didn't know was if the ac was "taken" the odor from any other place...
Now with the Treatment (DWD2) what Im getting is a mixed chemicals products odor, the old one and this one form de DWD2. Some advice to deodorize the COMPLETE AC SYSTEM????

nookie

Seinfeld ended up selling his car btw when this happened😎

JLmb

I was reading all messages before go to bed and I'm going to follow your advice and remove the battery on friday for two days if saturday still smell. I will let you know. Thanks

JLmb

I was the one who initiate this forum and just want to let you know the smell is almost gone. The DWD2 worked. The car still has a little smell but almost nothing comparing how it was before. I just going to treat it again today and look for some odor Neutralizer to apply it thereafter. If somebody know a good odor neutralizer let me know.
So I ended thinking what happened to my car looks like the previuos owner or dealership put some product through the ac vents that stayed in the evaporator and ac ducts the almost kill me. Next time if I'll buy another Mercedes I will try to do not buy it unless its a Mercedes dealership

Thanks to all who share his thoughts and have this in mind for the next used car buying experience!!!