Hummell

...It's strange, when I get in my car and turn on the AC, it smells like @%$^ for about 15 seconds, then the stink goes away.

Anyone else notice that?

QQQ

One possible scenario:
1. AC is turned on with air recirculation mode.
2. Someone FARTS in the car.
3. AC does exactly what it is told, recirculating the fart all over the car and smells like @%$^.
4. In less than no time, the recirculation mode is switched off.
5. AC now brings in fresh air and quickly replaces the foul stink.
6. In 15 seconds, the stink goes away and things are back to normal.

BKLYN_C

I had similar problem, but with my house window AC.

When my son was 2 yo he peed in it. Got on a chair and did it right into cold air outlet. It was a hell of a stink

Stormin

That kid made one hell of an effort!!!

Buellwinkle

The title of this post reminds of the J. Geils Band song, Love Stinks. So maybe it's too much love in the A/C....

BKLYN_C, that is the funniest A/C story I've ever heard, thanks for sharing.

raymond g-

if it's the mold spore issue, this is quite common with MBs. here is an example
TSB from 05

WaveyKat

thats funny i would like to meet your Son lol hahaha

BKLYN_C

That was 10 years ago. Now Mike is in Russia. Good old times

j_belll

hawaiian

Too funny.....

sim_benz

this happens sometimes with mine...doesnt seem to be any consistent factors, just sometimes it smells wierd, not actually like sh*t though...but not right at all....after like a minute or two of running it in auto mode (thats where i keep it constantly...just adjusting the temp) the smell goes away...but i tell you when it happens the first time you show someone the car...doesnt make a great first impression even though it only happens like 2% of the time.

Hummell

Funny stuff!

Hey, thanks Raymond...sounds like you nailed it.

Thanks again guys!

sanf

i know the w202 had cabin filter. is there one in the w203?

Blake P

I have the same exact problem with mine. I took it to the dealer to get fixed, but it was exactly the same when I picked it up. The strong odor only lasts 15 seconds or so, but I do notice a stale odor on my shirt at the end of the day, so I know it's not completely gone after the initial period. At first I thought it was B.O. and started using extra deodorant and cologne, but noticed the scent was only on my shirt and not my body. Now I point the vents so they don't blow directly on me and it seems to be a little better, but still not an adequate solution.

powa

i got the same problem, so we're on the same boat.

Again, what do u expect from MB?

raymond g-

i'm out of warranty so what I did was go to auto parts store and found a small
can of A/C deoderant...to kill spores. ran the AC and sprayed into the intake.
my cabin filter (not the carbon one) is relatively easy to get to. dbl stacked
and positioned horizontally behind the glove box. so i slid out and sprinkled
gob of baking soda atop the lower one. so even if the AC or charcoal isn't
running, the air intake still deodorizes it a bit. i'm keeping my eyes open at
the hardware store (Lowes/HOme Depot et al) for charcoal impregnated filters
of simlar size. it'll be tons cheaper than MB charcoal. smell all but dissipated
since these little tricks.

BlackLiquorish8

have u tried changin the filter to the AC???

Blake P

You mean the one attached to the battery cover? I suspected it might be dirty and in need of a change, but took a look at it yesterday and it was squeaky clean.

outaurleague

did anything that may be parishable fall into any of the vents? Hey at this point, nothing is outta the question.

Blake P

I might have considered that, but doing a little research and talking to others leads me to believe this is an extremely common thing, which stinks...literally.

Buellwinkle

Wow, one **** in the A/C and it's off to the Russian front. Reminds me of Hogan's Heroes.

C230 Sport Coup

Looking over the Wynn's solution, I beleive it is an Ozone generator with
a deoderizer added on.
That being said, many local carwashes or detail shops would have the O3 generator. Likely they'll sell the service as an odor removal.
Pick up a can of the deoderizer, put on the O3, turn on the engine, close the windows, and put AC on recirc.
I'm gonna see about doing that myself.

raklert

try using the AC REST buttons. When you shut off your car, pull out the key. Hit the AC REST button and it will have slight wind blow comes out for 15 mins. Do that regularly, should help with the stinking smell you have.

Blake P

Wtf is the AC REST button?

C230 Sport Coup

It will say "EC" as in economy (turns off the AC), or "REST" or on later models AC Off.

AC Rest function turns on the heat while the car is turned off.
Useful on cold nights when sitting parked waiting for someone,
very cool feature that I noticed did not exist on the last E Class loaner I had
and the function is reversed, the same switch defaults to AC off, and you have to push it to turn it on, no doubt to increase the mileage estimates.

It'll keep you warm for about 1/2 hour and uses little juice.

Or will increase mileage with it engaged with the car running, even if the heat is on, as the AC still runs, dry's the air, keeps the windows from fogging.
Those who never read their owners manual, or haven't read it lately, miss out on so many cool subliminal features. The Mercedes way I guess.