My AC Stinks....literally
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
2004 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan / 2007 Nissan Murano
My AC Stinks....literally
...It's strange, when I get in my car and turn on the AC, it smells like @%$^ for about 15 seconds, then the stink goes away.
Anyone else notice that?
Anyone else notice that?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
1. AC is turned on with air recirculation mode.
2. Someone FARTS in the car.
3. AC does exactly what it is told, recirculating the fart all over the car and smells like @%$^.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
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.
BKLYN_C, that is the funniest A/C story I've ever heard, thanks for sharing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO.
2003 C230K SS (6 spd)
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 @%$^.
4. In less than no time, the recirculation mode is switched off.
5. AC now brings in fresh air and quickly replaces the foul stink.
6. In 15 seconds, the stink goes away and things are back to normal.
1. AC is turned on with air recirculation mode.
2. Someone FARTS in the car.
3. AC does exactly what it is told, recirculating the fart all over the car and smells like @%$^.
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.
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Suburbia, CA
mine: '01 C240 w/heavy modifications dad's: '05 997 Carrera S
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
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. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
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.
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.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Bangkok
C200K W203
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
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.
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.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; May 25, 2007 at 02:54 AM.
