My A/C smells
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From: Arlington, TX
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
My A/C smells
Can anyone tell me why everytime I turn on the A/C in my car, it smells like a foot?? My car is still new and I don't smoke or put any scents in my car, but I can't seem to figure out why the A/C is so musty. 
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When the a/c is running the evaporator in the cab is cooling the cabin and it is also removing moisture at the same time.That moisture is evident when you see water dripping under your car.Some times not all the water will drain so this water might give-off that smell.When the a/c is on the evaporator is very cold,and when you shut the car off a lot of condensation will form on the evaporator which could also be the culprit of this musky smell.If it's real bad have the dealer look into it .
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From: Arlington, TX
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Thanks RobertG. I guess I'll ask the service rep. about it on Friday when I bring in my car in for an airbag recall. I don't know what it is, but it seems like ever since I bought my car, I've had nothing but problems with it!! I've been driving loan cars more than my own car!
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From: Southern California
2016 E350, 2013 C300 4MATIC, 2004.5 C230SS
Same issue with my MY04 E500 and MY04.5 C230SS. Whenever I bring them to service I mention this issue to SA, they never done anything 'cause they can't smell it when they testing it.
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the smell comes when the a/c is not used for a while like few hours and when you first turn it on and then it goes away, although to the owner the smell still lingers around and to the person looking for it it's no longer there- untill next time.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Originally Posted by AnnHo
Can anyone tell me why everytime I turn on the A/C in my car, it smells like a foot??:
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by mleskovar
It's because MB, and some other manufacturers (but not all) have not figured out how to evacuate the moisture from an AC system after the car has been turned off and mold grows in the AC petri dish.
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From: Arlington, TX
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Originally Posted by mleskovar
It's because MB, and some other manufacturers (but not all) have not figured out how to evacuate the moisture from an AC system after the car has been turned off and mold grows in the AC petri dish.
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From: Fullerton, CA...Riverside, CA
2007 Honda CBR 600RR// BLK'03 C32K (RIP)// 2003 Acura RSX Type-S//1999 Lexus SC400//
i don't know if this would help...when i usually drive, i would have the ac circulated in the car...but when i know i'm close to home or somewhere where my car is going to be off for more than an hour, i would have the air circulated from the outside in to sort of "dry" the moisture off...maybe give that a try? 
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Originally Posted by mleskovar
It's because MB, and some other manufacturers (but not all) have not figured out how to evacuate the moisture from an AC system after the car has been turned off and mold grows in the AC petri dish.
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From: Arlington, TX
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Originally Posted by diamondblak05
If that was true, then I would consider German engineering to be the dumbest in the world. All the Japanese cars that I've driven since 1985... none of them have this problem. German engineering my $ss! I've brought mine in 3 times already for this very smell and come home mad and fustrated because I would get the same answer everytime...."there's nothing we can do about it because MB doesn't have a fix for it."
Now I have the car scheduled this weekend to have my airbags replaced for some recall. I think I'll just ask the service rep if there's anything they can do about the A/C. I bet they'll tell me the same thing they told you. haha lookin forward to this.....
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Evaporators can be cleaned (washed)as long as they are easy to get to,I dont think our MB's have easy way to do this, that's why they are staying away from that method.I've done this type of service on GM products So what you are experiencing is not limited to MB cars.
You can limit the amount of smell by drying the evaporator after use, just turn off the a/c compressor by selecting economy for 1 to 2 min before you shut the car down.
You can limit the amount of smell by drying the evaporator after use, just turn off the a/c compressor by selecting economy for 1 to 2 min before you shut the car down.
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by RobertG
You can limit the amount of smell by drying the evaporator after use, just turn off the a/c compressor by selecting economy for 1 to 2 min before you shut the car down.
The A/C stink is a very common problem in several models of MB cars. This has been a recurring thread for several years. They, MB, should be ashamed of themselves for failing to fix this.
Note: When leaving the car always push the REST button. This will circulate air for little while and help somewhat with the problem.
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Originally Posted by shorthair
Unfortunately that is not correct. The A/C still runs for another 10 minutes or so after it is turned off. The only ways to turn the A/C off immediately after pushing the EC button is 1) Turn the fan speed to OFF, then turn back on 2) Turn the car off and then restart the car.
I
The A/C stink is a very common problem in several models of MB cars. This has been a recurring thread for several years. They, MB, should be ashamed of themselves for failing to fix this.
Note: When leaving the car always push the REST button. This will circulate air for little while and help somewhat with the problem.
I
The A/C stink is a very common problem in several models of MB cars. This has been a recurring thread for several years. They, MB, should be ashamed of themselves for failing to fix this.
Note: When leaving the car always push the REST button. This will circulate air for little while and help somewhat with the problem.
Mb is not the only manufacturer to suffer from this , Once the mold set in it' s tough to get rid of it unless you clean it.
In the future try to give members here some hope not just doom and gloom
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'17 Jaguar XF
Originally Posted by shorthair
The A/C still runs for another 10 minutes or so after it is turned off. The only ways to turn the A/C off immediately after pushing the EC button is 1) Turn the fan speed to OFF, then turn back on 2) Turn the car off and then restart the car. .
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by diamondblak05
If that was true, then I would consider German engineering to be the dumbest in the world. All the Japanese cars that I've driven since 1985... none of them have this problem. German engineering my $ss! I've brought mine in 3 times already for this very smell and come home mad and fustrated because I would get the same answer everytime...."there's nothing we can do about it because MB doesn't have a fix for it."
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by RobertG
dont know about your model of MB but my car can be controlled just as I stated, not rub it in to anybody but my a/c system doesnt produce any smell.
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by mleskovar
What? Once the motor stops the A/C compressor stops. EC keeps the air circulating and is effective in helping to dry out the evaporator and reduce the environment for mold to live and grow.
This behavior is what (in my opinion) Mercedes did not design so cleverly. Below is a an excerpt of a tech document for the w203 which describes the behavior.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the dedicated REST button was deleted on the newer models and instead that same function is activated by pressing the EC button when the key is in the off position.
Last edited by shorthair; Apr 3, 2006 at 02:13 AM.
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Originally Posted by shorthair
You are correct. Once the engine stops the A/C compressor stops. However while the car engine is running pushing the EC button to turn the compressor off does not actually stop the compressor immediately, but cycles it down after a preset time.
This behavior is what (in my opinion) Mercedes did not design so cleverly. Below is a an excerpt of a tech document for the w203 which describes the behavior.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the dedicated REST button was deleted on the newer models and instead that same function is activated by pressing the EC button when the key is in the off position.
This behavior is what (in my opinion) Mercedes did not design so cleverly. Below is a an excerpt of a tech document for the w203 which describes the behavior.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the dedicated REST button was deleted on the newer models and instead that same function is activated by pressing the EC button when the key is in the off position.
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by RobertG
read the first paragraph on the document that you posted , by pressing the ec button you turn off the a/c compressor if that happens then you are no longer pushing freon through the evaporator , thus the evaporator will begin to dry
You can easily see this on a hot day. Set temp control cool, (about 66) then ride around for a few minutes. Push the EC button and after several minutes you will still feel cold air coming out. Turn the FAN to off then back on and after several seconds you will feel much warmer more humid air.
(remember, we are in the w203 forum - this may not apply to your w210 but it probably does apply to a w211.)
Last edited by shorthair; Apr 3, 2006 at 11:29 PM.
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From: Southern CA
05 C230K SS
I just went to the dealer to get my A/C checked out. I said that the A/C has musty odor, so they performed "A/C System Ultrasonic Cleaning with Wynns machine"(Whatever that means!), Anyways, now my A/C doesn't have the musty smell and I hope this is permanent.
Last edited by yellowrama; Apr 3, 2006 at 09:48 PM.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Originally Posted by yellowrama
I just went to the dealer to get my A/C checked out. I said that the A/C has musty odor, so they performed "A/C System Ultrasonic Cleaning with Wynns machine"(Whatever that means!), Anyways, now my A/C doesn't have the musty smell and I hope this is permanent.
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
There was a DTB out on this for the 03-04's and possibly early 05's. The drain pan may not be angled enough to allow proper drainage of condensation...see your dealer and have them look this up.
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by RJC
There was a DTB out on this for the 03-04's and possibly early 05's. The drain pan may not be angled enough to allow proper drainage of condensation...see your dealer and have them look this up.
