I've noticed that when I first turn on the air conditioner there is a strange smell. Has anyone else had this problem? It doesn't necessarily smell like mold but I'm no expert on the matter

how many miles on the car?

7400

yeah same but i thinki its the heat from the car

Have you had any paint or bodywork done recently? I had a truck back into my car which required a new headlight and a bumper fix and repaint. Since I got it back from the body shop, it smells like a wet dog when I initially turn on the air conditioner.

No paint or body work and luckily no wet dog smell!!

it need to be clean...I brought my car to the dealer, end-up they took off the whole dashboard to clean the piping for the AC...they said some minor mold are built up from outside.

it's under the warranty. Hopefully that's settle the problem though...if not, ask them to change your AC filter also...

btw I did mine around 6-7k miles also...

Good info, thanks! I will take it in soon. The only work I've had done is Renntech ECU and new wheels and tires. Any chance either of these could have anything to do with it?

My ML63 does the same thing. Is this really not normal? Worth taking it in to get cleaned?

It probably is somewhat normal but my OCD gets the best of me sometimes. I keep the interior spotless and dont even eat or drink in the car because I want to keep the new car smell as long as possible. I finally decided to post this when I saw a bitter beer face on my girlfriend last time she rode with me... Can't have that!

well, I got similar experience with all benzes I ever driven...but most of them already 1 or 2 years old, so I assume its a common thing...but for brand new car with less than 10K miles..I am kinda upset, luckily the dealer was very helpful

The works took 2-3 hours. If I am not mistaken

Try turning off the A/C but leave the fan running for a couple of minutes before you shut down the engine. It will help dry out the cooling coils where the condensation is forming and the mold will have no chance to propagate. After doing this a couple, three times, the smell will diminish.

Another trick you can employ is to take a Living Air Box and put it in the car for about thirty minutes for the anti mold cycle: i.e.,

http://www.ecoquestintl.com/kloner/C...ProductId=3649

I would deal with the smell before I had the dealership take my dash apart. They **** never goes back together the same once you take it apart.

I had a egg/fart smell when the car was new, but now its gone.

+1
but the dealer didnt mention anything about taking apart the dashboard when I dropped the car in the service department...until it's finish...Luckily nothing squeaky or whats so ever

My cars smells like a wet dog sometimes also when I turn on the ac. I might try this trick

its the cabin filter .. replace them and it goes away

I was guessing it was that, but only after 3k miles? that is kind of absurd, no?

ya it happens pretty quick . i have replaced them alot . i had my car gone thru and it was cabin filter so now when i get that smell i just replace them . its only when car is 1st started and then it goes away

I've had this happen with almost every car that I've owned. It usually does this when its hot outside but goes away after just a few minutes. If it is mold then I want it removed too.

Try this.

Turn off AC, put heater on maximum. Close all windows and let the car idle
for about 10 minutes.

Do this a couple of times and the smell should go away.

Do you use the recirc button? Well that causes the coils to get moldy too. Just leave it on full auto. That's what it was designed for.

I've got the problem as well. I've never used the recirc button. I did a search on this site on all the forums not just this one and it appears to be a common issue for humid locations.

I, too, have taken to running the heat or running the fan before I shut the car off and the smell has almost gone.

If you live in hot humid environments you are more likely to get the musty smell when you turn on the A/C. It happened in my car as well. My SA said the dealer would take care of it under warranty but only one time. ...just got it back and no musty smell anymore. We'll see how long it lasts. All my BMW's had this same issue, but not quite as pungent as the Merc.

Mine said they will do it once per year.

I would just take it to the dealer they shoot cleaning/disinfectant foam through the evaporator to clean it out. Not only does it get rid of the smell it gives it a fresh scent