wierd smell when a/c is turned on
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C300
wierd smell when a/c is turned on
Have you ever encountered this? I've only had the car for 3 months and when I turn on the A/C this funky weird smell comes out of the vents for like 10 seconds and then disappears. I'm gonna take it in this weekend to check it out. Should I be worried or is this something Mercedes is known for?
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
it is something all cars are known for.
basically, the air condition creates condensation within the vents. a majority of that water is supposed to leak out (ever look under your car after you turn it off and have the aircon on for sometime?). however, the reality is that not all the water comes out, and therefore it starts to sit in the vents.
the smell you smell is just that. some people say its mold...but i choose not to believe that since mold spores are poisoness
basically, the air condition creates condensation within the vents. a majority of that water is supposed to leak out (ever look under your car after you turn it off and have the aircon on for sometime?). however, the reality is that not all the water comes out, and therefore it starts to sit in the vents.
the smell you smell is just that. some people say its mold...but i choose not to believe that since mold spores are poisoness
Last edited by joshg1001; Oct 31, 2008 at 12:41 AM.
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
This comes from mold and bacteria growing in the left over condensation in the vents and air tubes. The dealer can blow an antiseptic through the system to kill the stuff.(think of industrial strenth Lysol that is made for the particular bugs that often grow in HVAC systems).
Once this is done, their are a few things you can do to keep it from happening again. One is to put your car on the highest heat setting and let it blow for a few mins before you shut the car down. This basically dries the vents out...no moisture, no place for the mold/bacteria to live. Do this maybe a couple times a month if you think about it. Also, if the weather is comfortable, don't run the AC compressor or at least add enough heat to keep it from chilling the air tubes and causing condensation.
I would say get the dealer to kill the stuff off as it is hard to dry them out once they are imbedded.
Let us know how it goes
Once this is done, their are a few things you can do to keep it from happening again. One is to put your car on the highest heat setting and let it blow for a few mins before you shut the car down. This basically dries the vents out...no moisture, no place for the mold/bacteria to live. Do this maybe a couple times a month if you think about it. Also, if the weather is comfortable, don't run the AC compressor or at least add enough heat to keep it from chilling the air tubes and causing condensation.
I would say get the dealer to kill the stuff off as it is hard to dry them out once they are imbedded.
Let us know how it goes
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,167
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From: The Netherlands - ROTTERDAM
W205 C400
Had the same smell by my previous MB, the service manager told me that you better turn the a/c off ,on short drives, and a couple of minutes before you shutt of the engine after a long drive. Or better, always keep your AC on.
They cleaned the AC-system by my previous car and from that moment i always had the AC on, and the smell never came back.
Now in my W204 i also have the AC always turned on and havent got that smell yet.
But if you go to your MB dealer, they can clean your AC system... so you won't have that terrible smell anymore
They cleaned the AC-system by my previous car and from that moment i always had the AC on, and the smell never came back.
Now in my W204 i also have the AC always turned on and havent got that smell yet.
But if you go to your MB dealer, they can clean your AC system... so you won't have that terrible smell anymore
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
i usually like to do this to keep this from happening.
after having the ac on, about 5 minutes before reaching your destination, turn off the AC button but continue to have air being blown out in room temperature
after having the ac on, about 5 minutes before reaching your destination, turn off the AC button but continue to have air being blown out in room temperature
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
This comes from mold and bacteria growing in the left over condensation in the vents and air tubes. The dealer can blow an antiseptic through the system to kill the stuff.(think of industrial strenth Lysol that is made for the particular bugs that often grow in HVAC systems).
Once this is done, their are a few things you can do to keep it from happening again. One is to put your car on the highest heat setting and let it blow for a few mins before you shut the car down. This basically dries the vents out...no moisture, no place for the mold/bacteria to live. Do this maybe a couple times a month if you think about it. Also, if the weather is comfortable, don't run the AC compressor or at least add enough heat to keep it from chilling the air tubes and causing condensation.
I would say get the dealer to kill the stuff off as it is hard to dry them out once they are imbedded.
Let us know how it goes
Once this is done, their are a few things you can do to keep it from happening again. One is to put your car on the highest heat setting and let it blow for a few mins before you shut the car down. This basically dries the vents out...no moisture, no place for the mold/bacteria to live. Do this maybe a couple times a month if you think about it. Also, if the weather is comfortable, don't run the AC compressor or at least add enough heat to keep it from chilling the air tubes and causing condensation.
I would say get the dealer to kill the stuff off as it is hard to dry them out once they are imbedded.
Let us know how it goes
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Thread Starter
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C300
Thanks guys, lots of good info. I think I could deal with it until it gets really bad. I'll try the shut off for 5 minutes before destination and blow the air to dry it off. I hope it works. It's just a hassle to take it in.
