New car a/c smells old
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2008 E350
Originally Posted by psk145
mine doesnt do that.....BUT it smells like mold everytime I wash the car. After its dry, I get in and it just smells nasty. I have to turn ON the AC to clear out the smell. I dont think its coming from the AC since it already sticks before I turn the car on 
Thanks.
GGM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2008 E350
Originally Posted by Tishers
Are you running your air conditioning on recirculation or outside air?
I have had this problem in cars, off and on for several years. It seems that as long as I keep the moisture content in my car down there isn't enough moisture in the system to grow molds and fungus in the ductwork.
I don't drive with my windows down so there isn't a constant stream of damp summer air that is condensing out when it hits the coils. Also I normally run my car on recirculated air so there is not so many exchanges with the damp, hot outside air.
I live in the south and summer starts in April and runs to November. Humidity is always 80-100% and the air is filled with all sorts of living things (fungi, molds).
When it's 90 degrees outside with a humidity of 90% and you bring that air into your car and chill it to 70 degrees the dew point will be reached and there will be condensation in the air conditioning unit, ducts and car.
I have had this problem in cars, off and on for several years. It seems that as long as I keep the moisture content in my car down there isn't enough moisture in the system to grow molds and fungus in the ductwork.
I don't drive with my windows down so there isn't a constant stream of damp summer air that is condensing out when it hits the coils. Also I normally run my car on recirculated air so there is not so many exchanges with the damp, hot outside air.
I live in the south and summer starts in April and runs to November. Humidity is always 80-100% and the air is filled with all sorts of living things (fungi, molds).
When it's 90 degrees outside with a humidity of 90% and you bring that air into your car and chill it to 70 degrees the dew point will be reached and there will be condensation in the air conditioning unit, ducts and car.
Thanks.
GGM
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15,769
Likes: 37
From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally Posted by GGM
Does anybody know if the indicator light should come on when it automatically switches to recirc mode or if it would make any difference if I manually put it in recirc mode?
Thanks.
GGM
Thanks.
GGM
2) When the automatic controls call for Max Air the indicator light will also not be turned on.
The above is based on my MY03 experience.
HTH
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Georgia, USA
Honda Accord
I had the same issue with my 03 E 320. I am also in Miami. I complained and they sprayed the fungicide on the evaporator inside the dash. It was a short term fix. My car has the REST feature, which runs the climate control fan for 30 minutes after the car is turned off. This is a feature for winter climates, but it does help for this mold problem. My issue is not 100% resolved, but I would say is much improved. I had this issue also in a VW Beetle I owned. There I could just turn the AC compressor off a few minutes before stopping, while turning up the heat. With the W211, hitting the AC off button doesn't turn off the compressor for quite a few minutes, so that is not an easy solution for me.
I run the AC in recirculate mode all the time. You have to hit the recirc button every 30 minutes in my car because it switches back to outside air on its own. Using recirc helps. The other thing that seemed to help was running the car with the defroster/defogger on for a couple of minutes before turning off the car everytime you turn off the car and at the same time making the temperature a bit warmer. I don't do the defroster technique any more since I do the use the REST function. Complain next time you take it in for service and they will likely do a one time application of the fungicide for free. Good luck.
William
2003 E320
I run the AC in recirculate mode all the time. You have to hit the recirc button every 30 minutes in my car because it switches back to outside air on its own. Using recirc helps. The other thing that seemed to help was running the car with the defroster/defogger on for a couple of minutes before turning off the car everytime you turn off the car and at the same time making the temperature a bit warmer. I don't do the defroster technique any more since I do the use the REST function. Complain next time you take it in for service and they will likely do a one time application of the fungicide for free. Good luck.
William
2003 E320
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
same here, I hate that smell =T
I notice that this comes standard on the C-Classes lols this wasnt mentioned in the books!
but anyways, I found a cure for it =] its get a airhose thingie and blow out the a/c hole on the bottom of the car, and always, shut ur wind off before u shut ur car off =] that helps, I havnt been getting the smell for like...almost a year
I notice that this comes standard on the C-Classes lols this wasnt mentioned in the books!
but anyways, I found a cure for it =] its get a airhose thingie and blow out the a/c hole on the bottom of the car, and always, shut ur wind off before u shut ur car off =] that helps, I havnt been getting the smell for like...almost a year
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2024 C300W4
Originally Posted by X72
I had the same issue with my 03 E 320. I am also in Miami. I complained and they sprayed the fungicide on the evaporator inside the dash. It was a short term fix. My car has the REST feature, which runs the climate control fan for 30 minutes after the car is turned off. This is a feature for winter climates, but it does help for this mold problem. My issue is not 100% resolved, but I would say is much improved. I had this issue also in a VW Beetle I owned. There I could just turn the AC compressor off a few minutes before stopping, while turning up the heat. With the W211, hitting the AC off button doesn't turn off the compressor for quite a few minutes, so that is not an easy solution for me.
I run the AC in recirculate mode all the time. You have to hit the recirc button every 30 minutes in my car because it switches back to outside air on its own. Using recirc helps. The other thing that seemed to help was running the car with the defroster/defogger on for a couple of minutes before turning off the car everytime you turn off the car and at the same time making the temperature a bit warmer. I don't do the defroster technique any more since I do the use the REST function. Complain next time you take it in for service and they will likely do a one time application of the fungicide for free. Good luck.
William
2003 E320
I run the AC in recirculate mode all the time. You have to hit the recirc button every 30 minutes in my car because it switches back to outside air on its own. Using recirc helps. The other thing that seemed to help was running the car with the defroster/defogger on for a couple of minutes before turning off the car everytime you turn off the car and at the same time making the temperature a bit warmer. I don't do the defroster technique any more since I do the use the REST function. Complain next time you take it in for service and they will likely do a one time application of the fungicide for free. Good luck.
William
2003 E320
Don’t waste your time on deodorizers and what not. Will not work. The odor will go away during the cooler months here in the North East but it will get worse in places where it is mostly hot and humid.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: DC 'burbs
2016 C300 4Matic Lux w/ P1, P2, Lighting Package
Stinky Noob Here Too
New 2005 C240 owner in Wash, DC area...just bought this bad boy one week ago. Dealer demo w/ 3K miles sold and titled new. EEEEEWWWW stinky vent air 
. Didn't notice the sour smell when running the a/c, but on fan, recirculate or outside air, really obnoxious. Dealer treated a/c system with "Frigid Fresh." Smell seems to has disappeared, but autumn temps have arrived and humidity is low, so this time of year is probably not the best to test it out. We'll see what the next DC humid summer brings.
. Didn't notice the sour smell when running the a/c, but on fan, recirculate or outside air, really obnoxious. Dealer treated a/c system with "Frigid Fresh." Smell seems to has disappeared, but autumn temps have arrived and humidity is low, so this time of year is probably not the best to test it out. We'll see what the next DC humid summer brings.
