Bad smell coming from AC
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
It may require cleaning at the dealership. If you don't already do so, once cleaned, set it to AUTO and leave that alone, unless you are using a moment of MAXCOOL or MAXDEFROST, and then go back to AUTO. Just set the temperature to your comfort on the dial. The system knows better how to maintain itself to keep moisture low and prevent the buildup of mold causing the smell.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 87
From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
Haha I was wondering this whole time I owned Mercedes where that smell was coming from. Good to know. I did notice it shows up after it rains so automatically I thought that was the reason and just accepted it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: M'sia
MB C250
my friend bought 2008 c200 till now. just reach 200,000km
He's been leaving his AC in Auto since Day 1 and had only change cabin filter twice
only smell i got is the grey interior leather similar like crayon
just did his major , cam and belt service pipes etc. cost 3000usd
He's been leaving his AC in Auto since Day 1 and had only change cabin filter twice
only smell i got is the grey interior leather similar like crayon
just did his major , cam and belt service pipes etc. cost 3000usd
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
my friend bought 2008 c200 till now. just reach 200,000km
He's been leaving his AC in Auto since Day 1 and had only change cabin filter twice
only smell i got is the grey interior leather similar like crayon
just did his major , cam and belt service pipes etc. cost 3000usd
He's been leaving his AC in Auto since Day 1 and had only change cabin filter twice
only smell i got is the grey interior leather similar like crayon
just did his major , cam and belt service pipes etc. cost 3000usd
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: M'sia
MB C250
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Shanghai, China
2012 C200 CGI
one trick is to spray lysol in the air intake vents under the wipers with the heat running. It'll make your car smell like lysol for a while but it kills all the bacteria built up from the condensation.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2005 C230
Check your battery
I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I tried the Lysol trick and it masked the bad smell for a while but it kept coming back. While doing some maintenance I noticed that the battery was leaking. I replaced the battery and neutralized the acid with baking soda and I no longer had the smell. The battery is directly under the fresh air intake so if it emits fumes, you are going to breathe them.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 5
2008 C-300
Had a funky smell too, but I just changed my cabin filter with a new, charcoal one and its gone. Faint crayon smell, but used to that as I had an Audi before.
Now, my Audi had a real funk to it, esp. in the summer here in Florida. After about 2 yrs of owning it, the AC compressor took a crap and I took it to an Audi dealer for repair. They told me the system had mold all through it and instead of just replacing the compressor they had to replace the evaporator, condenser, lines, almost the whole system. Luckily, I had an extended warranty and it was covered, $2500 repair after $200 deductible and $250 difference in Audi covered rebuilt compressor and used compressor from warranty company.
Now, my Audi had a real funk to it, esp. in the summer here in Florida. After about 2 yrs of owning it, the AC compressor took a crap and I took it to an Audi dealer for repair. They told me the system had mold all through it and instead of just replacing the compressor they had to replace the evaporator, condenser, lines, almost the whole system. Luckily, I had an extended warranty and it was covered, $2500 repair after $200 deductible and $250 difference in Audi covered rebuilt compressor and used compressor from warranty company.
