Foul Smell in my Car
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 748
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From: Dubai
C63 AMG
Foul Smell in my Car
Hey everyone,
Wondering if anyone could offer some advice. I have attached a photo for ease of reference.
The AC recycle button (I think that's what it is), is always off unless I push it which I often forget to do. It's never been like this in 15 other cars I've owned. It always stays on if you switch off with it on. So when it restarts, it restarts with recycled air.
In this car (C63), it always is off. I must push it and as I forget most of the times, theres times when a really bad smell comes into the cabin. I mean like sewage, like farts, like rotten eggs etc. I swear sometimes it could possibly happen even when the air recycle button is switched on.
Do any of you get this and is there a solution other than having to press it each time I'm in the car? As I forget, it's often too late once the smell gets in and it's often embarrasing if I have passengers in the car and they think I let one rip
Wondering if anyone could offer some advice. I have attached a photo for ease of reference.
The AC recycle button (I think that's what it is), is always off unless I push it which I often forget to do. It's never been like this in 15 other cars I've owned. It always stays on if you switch off with it on. So when it restarts, it restarts with recycled air.
In this car (C63), it always is off. I must push it and as I forget most of the times, theres times when a really bad smell comes into the cabin. I mean like sewage, like farts, like rotten eggs etc. I swear sometimes it could possibly happen even when the air recycle button is switched on.
Do any of you get this and is there a solution other than having to press it each time I'm in the car? As I forget, it's often too late once the smell gets in and it's often embarrasing if I have passengers in the car and they think I let one rip
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
i had the same issues.. this (procedure) have worked for me:
1. buy a can of lysol (or any available disinfectant spray).
2. open all the windows.
3. open the hood (way up/full) - just below the left windshield wiper you can see a vent (black screen, etc)
4. turn on the fan (a/c off) - set to FULL
5. spray/empty the can of lysol in the vent (see #3)
6. leave the windows open overnight so the whole (inside) of the car don't smell lysol - also, leave the fan running for a period of time *not overnight - just so to keep the air to circulate for a time)..
* it will also help if you replace your air cabin filter
hope this helps..
1. buy a can of lysol (or any available disinfectant spray).
2. open all the windows.
3. open the hood (way up/full) - just below the left windshield wiper you can see a vent (black screen, etc)
4. turn on the fan (a/c off) - set to FULL
5. spray/empty the can of lysol in the vent (see #3)
6. leave the windows open overnight so the whole (inside) of the car don't smell lysol - also, leave the fan running for a period of time *not overnight - just so to keep the air to circulate for a time)..
* it will also help if you replace your air cabin filter
hope this helps..
Last edited by Paculdo; Jan 7, 2013 at 11:12 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,438
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From: Relocated
2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
i had the same issues.. this (procedure) have worked for me:
1. buy a can of lysol (or any available disinfectant spray).
2. open all the windows.
3. open the hood (way up/full) - just below the left windshield wiper you can see a vent (black screen, etc)
4. turn on the fan (a/c off) - set to FULL
5. spray/empty the can of lysol in the vent (see #3)
6. leave the windows open overnight so the whole (inside) of the car don't smell lysol - also, leave the fan running for a period of time *not overnight - just so to keep the air to circulate for a time)..
* it will also help if you replace your air cabin filter
hope this helps..
1. buy a can of lysol (or any available disinfectant spray).
2. open all the windows.
3. open the hood (way up/full) - just below the left windshield wiper you can see a vent (black screen, etc)
4. turn on the fan (a/c off) - set to FULL
5. spray/empty the can of lysol in the vent (see #3)
6. leave the windows open overnight so the whole (inside) of the car don't smell lysol - also, leave the fan running for a period of time *not overnight - just so to keep the air to circulate for a time)..
* it will also help if you replace your air cabin filter
hope this helps..
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From: Oakland, CA
'16 GTS Solar
I'll have to try this. I've had this issue as well...usually in warmer months and when the AC first starts. After a minute or two the smell dissipates but it's very unpleasant.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Dubai
C63 AMG
Thank you mgbrillo, will definitely do that tomorrow. Out of interest what size can should I get? I've never seen or heard of these cans before. Will also go tomorrow to get a cabin filter and change that.
CoolBD, I don't know when it was last replaced as I only picked up the car in August. Since have driven 10,000kms. Currently just done the 60,000km service.
Coincidentally, I got my car tuned the other day and while there I was with an owner of a C63 who has done 280,000kms on his car and the only expense he had to shell out other than normal service stuff was something (can't remember what) that cost US$2000. I was told it was the most abused C63 in the country.
CoolBD, I don't know when it was last replaced as I only picked up the car in August. Since have driven 10,000kms. Currently just done the 60,000km service.
Coincidentally, I got my car tuned the other day and while there I was with an owner of a C63 who has done 280,000kms on his car and the only expense he had to shell out other than normal service stuff was something (can't remember what) that cost US$2000. I was told it was the most abused C63 in the country.
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2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
The primary reason that the recirc is off, is that it helps prevent foul water damage like odors. With recirc on, there is moisture in the evaporator, this needs to drain, to do this, the recirc needs to be turned off. This of course may be a process of bygone days (when you had a manual flip switch to change between fresh and recirc), but the reasoning is the same.
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From: eNyCe
Steel Grey Metallic C63!!
The primary reason that the recirc is off, is that it helps prevent foul water damage like odors. With recirc on, there is moisture in the evaporator, this needs to drain, to do this, the recirc needs to be turned off. This of course may be a process of bygone days (when you had a manual flip switch to change between fresh and recirc), but the reasoning is the same.
+1 That's why you should always turn off recirc off a few mins before you come to your destination and shut down your car. By disabling the recirc mode, it will allow the vents to dry out the excess moisture and prevent mode and smells from developing.
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From: Los Angeles
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1,000th POST - mgbrillo gave you good advice but what you can also do is turn off the A/C and run the FAN high at high temp w/o recirc for about 20-30 minutes continuously. If the smell doesn't go away then you can always deodorize. I wouldn't suggest lysol though because I'd imagine that the lysol smell won't leave your cabin for a few days.
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From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
^^ congrats on the 1k post :-)
i used the unscented lysol.. worked for me.. i have to leave the fan (high) running for about that 10-20 mins with all the windows down.. and then also left it open overnight (fan off). no lysol smell after that.
*i replaced the cabin filter first before i did the lysol stuff.
*i emptied about 3/4 of that small lysol can when i did this.
i used the unscented lysol.. worked for me.. i have to leave the fan (high) running for about that 10-20 mins with all the windows down.. and then also left it open overnight (fan off). no lysol smell after that.
*i replaced the cabin filter first before i did the lysol stuff.
*i emptied about 3/4 of that small lysol can when i did this.
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Mercedes ML350, Mercedes C63 AMG
Shouldnt you better change the cabin filter after spraying the lysol? Wont the new filter now be filled with the lysol and maybe dirt/bacterie coming loose from spraying the lysol into the system?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Dubai
C63 AMG
Thanks for the late tip 
All done and car is still fanning out. I got scented disinfectant so car smells quite nice
Hope this works. If not, I will just train myself to keep hitting the recirc button.
All done and car is still fanning out. I got scented disinfectant so car smells quite nice
Hope this works. If not, I will just train myself to keep hitting the recirc button.
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'09 SL Black, '12 ML63, '13 SL63, '14 E63 Wagon, '14 458 Italia
There's something (usually leaves or a dead animal) that got into the ventilation system - there's a small chance that there was just bacteria in the moist evap drainage location. I always try to let my AC dry out before I park - especially when I can go without it for the last couple miles before home / destination.
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2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
