Stinky smell after AC turn off
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 267
Likes: 27
From: Bay Area, CA
2017 C300
Stinky smell after AC turn off
My MY2017 C300 has a stinky smell in the cabin after the AC is off. I just got a 20K miles service at the dealer. What could be the problem? Your input is greatly appreciated.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 71
Likes: 21
From: Lake Forest, CA
C43
I was getting the same thing in my 43. I think it has to do with condensation from the cold air sitting in the vents after being shut off. Usually, I blow the fan at max with the A/C off for about 60 seconds as I'm approaching my destination and that seems to pretty much stop it from happening.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 267
Likes: 27
From: Bay Area, CA
2017 C300
I was getting the same thing in my 43. I think it has to do with condensation from the cold air sitting in the vents after being shut off. Usually, I blow the fan at max with the A/C off for about 60 seconds as I'm approaching my destination and that seems to pretty much stop it from happening.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 71
Likes: 21
From: Lake Forest, CA
C43
Hard to say. If it's what I've experienced there isn't much they can do. If it's something else though due to something they did, then absolutely. I would try blowing max fan for a bit before you get where you're going and see if that corrects first.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 267
Likes: 27
From: Bay Area, CA
2017 C300
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 41
From: England
W205 C200 AMG Line Premium
You shouldn't be turning the a/c off, just adjust the temperature to your liking and that way you will keep the system maintained and avoid any seals drying out and leaking.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 23
Likes: 3
2016 C300 4Matic Sport
Not so.
Need to turn off the AC (not the fan) a few minutes before shutting down to evaporate the condensation in the system that causes the smell. Another trick, in addition to turning the compressor off, is to turn the heat up as high as it will go for a few minutes. This old trick can also get rid of the smell if it already exists.
Need to turn off the AC (not the fan) a few minutes before shutting down to evaporate the condensation in the system that causes the smell. Another trick, in addition to turning the compressor off, is to turn the heat up as high as it will go for a few minutes. This old trick can also get rid of the smell if it already exists.
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A gaggle of MB's
My cent's - at 20K B Service - replacement cabin filter is "recommended" - check your Service Invoice to see if that was done - and review in your head what your Service Advisor asked/told you about that.
If you didn't report this issue before your 20K/B Service - and you didn't approve Cabin Filter replacement - then you have some good advice above so far - you can get your Cabin Filter done next service - recommended to use Auto set at comfortable temp for you - use Max Cool for max 10 min then switch back to Auto - don't leave your temp on manual too-low/too-long or that adds "frosting" to your evaporator and when you shut down the car that frost melts leaving evaporator box very wet/damp and leads to moldy/old-gym-shoe smell.
If you get to be in the land of the old-gym-shoe-smell - leave car running - windows up - max heat for 20 min will scorch that sh*t out.
Wurth or Einzett/Nextzett iboth are good stuff for system "cleaning" - and frankly as good as the MB dealer "bacterial cleaning" which they charge arm/leg for.
If you didn't report this issue before your 20K/B Service - and you didn't approve Cabin Filter replacement - then you have some good advice above so far - you can get your Cabin Filter done next service - recommended to use Auto set at comfortable temp for you - use Max Cool for max 10 min then switch back to Auto - don't leave your temp on manual too-low/too-long or that adds "frosting" to your evaporator and when you shut down the car that frost melts leaving evaporator box very wet/damp and leads to moldy/old-gym-shoe smell.
If you get to be in the land of the old-gym-shoe-smell - leave car running - windows up - max heat for 20 min will scorch that sh*t out.
Wurth or Einzett/Nextzett iboth are good stuff for system "cleaning" - and frankly as good as the MB dealer "bacterial cleaning" which they charge arm/leg for.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 20
From: Norcal
2015 C300 4MATIC / 2017 C43 AMG
My cent's - at 20K B Service - replacement cabin filter is "recommended" - check your Service Invoice to see if that was done - and review in your head what your Service Advisor asked/told you about that.
If you didn't report this issue before your 20K/B Service - and you didn't approve Cabin Filter replacement - then you have some good advice above so far - you can get your Cabin Filter done next service - recommended to use Auto set at comfortable temp for you - use Max Cool for max 10 min then switch back to Auto - don't leave your temp on manual too-low/too-long or that adds "frosting" to your evaporator and when you shut down the car that frost melts leaving evaporator box very wet/damp and leads to moldy/old-gym-shoe smell.
If you get to be in the land of the old-gym-shoe-smell - leave car running - windows up - max heat for 20 min will scorch that sh*t out.
Wurth or Einzett/Nextzett iboth are good stuff for system "cleaning" - and frankly as good as the MB dealer "bacterial cleaning" which they charge arm/leg for.
If you didn't report this issue before your 20K/B Service - and you didn't approve Cabin Filter replacement - then you have some good advice above so far - you can get your Cabin Filter done next service - recommended to use Auto set at comfortable temp for you - use Max Cool for max 10 min then switch back to Auto - don't leave your temp on manual too-low/too-long or that adds "frosting" to your evaporator and when you shut down the car that frost melts leaving evaporator box very wet/damp and leads to moldy/old-gym-shoe smell.
If you get to be in the land of the old-gym-shoe-smell - leave car running - windows up - max heat for 20 min will scorch that sh*t out.
Wurth or Einzett/Nextzett iboth are good stuff for system "cleaning" - and frankly as good as the MB dealer "bacterial cleaning" which they charge arm/leg for.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 337
Likes: 45
From: Seattle
2016 C300 4MATIC
In the W204's there is a drip line that runs from the evaporator pan to the underside of the car. When ice melt/condensation drips off the evaporator coils it would allow the liquid to drain. This drain would plug on occasion and cause the smell.
I'm guessing the W205's also have a similar drain. Perhaps it's plugged.
I'm guessing the W205's also have a similar drain. Perhaps it's plugged.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 20
benzw205
I was getting the same thing in my 43. I think it has to do with condensation from the cold air sitting in the vents after being shut off. Usually, I blow the fan at max with the A/C off for about 60 seconds as I'm approaching my destination and that seems to pretty much stop it from happening.
hello,
so it is really useful to stop aircon and only let the fan on ?
thank you.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 20
benzw205
Not so.
Need to turn off the AC (not the fan) a few minutes before shutting down to evaporate the condensation in the system that causes the smell. Another trick, in addition to turning the compressor off, is to turn the heat up as high as it will go for a few minutes. This old trick can also get rid of the smell if it already exists.
Need to turn off the AC (not the fan) a few minutes before shutting down to evaporate the condensation in the system that causes the smell. Another trick, in addition to turning the compressor off, is to turn the heat up as high as it will go for a few minutes. This old trick can also get rid of the smell if it already exists.
interesting, I did not know about the heater. thanks.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 179
Likes: 30
2002 E55 AMG, 2015 Mercedes C300 4Matic
After you use the air conditioning and are approaching your end destination.. a few minutes prior to turning the engine off... turn the AC OFF and let the fan run. do this with the temperature at a higher setting from where you were using your AC. When you do this it helps evaporate the condensation that remains in the air vents
I've had this same issue and the smell is ****ing gross. Try using FrigiFRESH or FrigiCLEAN.. its helped me out a lot.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 20
benzw205
Fabbrisd1 is correct; set the air to auto at your desired temperature. This has been discussed at length, and of you search the forum there are some substantial explanations as to why the auto setting removes and prevents the smell. Replacing the cabin filter helped for a few days, as did an a/c treatment, but the smell returned. Once I set the air to auto at 67-72, the smell dissipated and has not come back in over a year.
I really doubt that setting the system to AUTO would be better than blowing with air conditioning turned off for 60 seconds, can you explain please ?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 267
Likes: 27
From: Bay Area, CA
2017 C300
Hi benzw205,
I don't smell anything anymore. I did try what everybody suggested here. I think it works. My wife drives the car most of the time. I only drive from time to time during the weekend. The car has been in B service at the begiining of June, and the dealer changed the in cabin filter , that could be the reason of the bad smell. Before that, there was not bad smell after AC was off. I will monitor and let you know.
I don't smell anything anymore. I did try what everybody suggested here. I think it works. My wife drives the car most of the time. I only drive from time to time during the weekend. The car has been in B service at the begiining of June, and the dealer changed the in cabin filter , that could be the reason of the bad smell. Before that, there was not bad smell after AC was off. I will monitor and let you know.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 313
Likes: 17
From: TEXAS
2017 AMG C63, 2001 C5 Corvette
Did you cut one? I doubt that's it. OK then while you are at it, you should change your Cabin Air Filter if you haven't before (just ordered one today) and I wasn't aware of this until today, but lot's of good reviews on this stuff (or use similar)
. When you do the Cabin Filter, there is a connection next to it with the glove box cover removed and you can run the hose up through there and try the foam. Apparently, it cleans and kills bacteria. I'm in a Hot Climate so we get more of the bacteria that causes things to stink.
