Strange smell
06-11-2018, 05:43 AM
#1
Strange smell
I own a CLK 2009 and just bought it second hand. There is a strong odour in the cabin. It’s definitely not coming from the a/c. What could the smell be and how do I get rid of it? The odour is an oily smell but not engine oil. Have tried leather cleaner on the seats and carpet fresher but neither have worked. We just checked the cabin filter and that’s fine. Any other suggestions?
Last edited by Cherubk11; 06-17-2018 at 02:22 AM. Reason: More information
06-11-2018, 01:24 PM
#2
Member
When you have a spell of sunny weather, park the car outdoors in a safe location, where you can leave the doors and the trunk open to air out for a few hours. There could be a small leak in the roof, or window weather stripping, that leaves the carpets damp, which could get musty smelling in a matter of days. The cabin air filter, located atop the battery compartment, may be due for a change.
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Cherubk11 (06-17-2018)
06-11-2018, 04:26 PM
#3
MBworld Guru
I think you need to better describe this odor. Is it a musty/moldy smell? If so, that's usually dampness related and can be clogged AC evaporator drain, mold growing on the evaporator, a water leak (door, sunroof or window seal), or even signs that the car has been flooded. If it's a chemical smell, it could be some fluids in the car leaking or an exhaust leak. Otherwise, maybe the previous owner was a private investigator and sat in the car on stakeouts eating cheap Mexican food.
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Cherubk11 (06-17-2018)
06-12-2018, 05:56 AM
#4
Member
Indeed the gumshoe stakeout scenario cannot be discounted in this investigation. As old Sherlock might intone whilst noting the delicate aroma present inside a horseless carriage, "Alimentary Watson."
On a slightly more serious note, and barring the remote possibility that the OP in fact happens to reside in Denver Colorado, one need not engage in speculation about whether or not furtive inductions into the Mile High Club may have transpired in that car, before it changed ownership, of course.
On a slightly more serious note, and barring the remote possibility that the OP in fact happens to reside in Denver Colorado, one need not engage in speculation about whether or not furtive inductions into the Mile High Club may have transpired in that car, before it changed ownership, of course.
06-24-2018, 04:36 AM
#5
Senior Member
I have a 2007 CLK550 coupe that I purchased last December, and it has a weird smell also. It is like an oil smell, but not burning oil like what would come from the cam plugs. I've asked other people what it smells like, but nobody can pinpoint it. It's not a bad smell, just different.
It's not a moldy/musty smell at all.
It's not a moldy/musty smell at all.
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Cherubk11 (06-24-2018)
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Sauna (04-17-2024)
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06-24-2018, 08:09 PM
#8
Super Member
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-your-car.html
06-25-2018, 03:59 AM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Have you checked for oil spills in the trunk? Some people, like me, carry a quart of oil in the trunk. I use old quart bottles and had one leak, at the cap, once. The oil flowed down into the spare tire well. I now make sure I use new zip-lock bags.
06-25-2018, 11:09 PM
#10
MBworld Guru
Fatz, that story reminds me of a forum member (W203, IIRC) who reported a puddle of coolant under his rear bumper. There were all sorts of guesses as to how it might have gotten there, but the real answer was that he had a jug of it in the trunk that was leaking.
Every car I've owned has had a distinctive smell. The CLK always had this odd chemically-plastic-like smell. Not exactly "new car" smell, but not like anything was wrong. It never bothered me, but my wife hated it. The SL has more of a leather smell, but with an underlying chemical smell. I find it it somewhat annoying, but my wife likes it.
BTW, a trick a lot of unscrupulous used car dealers used to employ was placing a couple of pieces of raw leather under the seats. It made the car smell like "new leather" and covered up other unpleasant odors.
Every car I've owned has had a distinctive smell. The CLK always had this odd chemically-plastic-like smell. Not exactly "new car" smell, but not like anything was wrong. It never bothered me, but my wife hated it. The SL has more of a leather smell, but with an underlying chemical smell. I find it it somewhat annoying, but my wife likes it.
BTW, a trick a lot of unscrupulous used car dealers used to employ was placing a couple of pieces of raw leather under the seats. It made the car smell like "new leather" and covered up other unpleasant odors.
06-26-2018, 01:26 PM
#11
Senior Member
I did push the button for the charcoal filter, and that seemed to make the smell more evident. What exactly does that button do, and where is the charcoal filter? It's not the cabin air filter is it?
I just had a thought, maybe someone ( the dealer ) sprayed something on the cabin air filter to "freshen up" the car. Must go smell my cabin air filter.
I just had a thought, maybe someone ( the dealer ) sprayed something on the cabin air filter to "freshen up" the car. Must go smell my cabin air filter.
06-26-2018, 02:00 PM
#12
Senior Member
06-26-2018, 02:51 PM
#13
Super Member
06-26-2018, 09:22 PM
#14
MBworld Guru
I really doubt you are having a stroke. Smelling odd odors is actually a symptom of a bran tumor. As for the charcoal filter, it is separate from the cabin dust filter. The dust filter is located under the hood, above the battery. The charcoal filter is located under the dash on the passenger side.
06-27-2018, 02:43 AM
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
06-27-2018, 09:12 AM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
06-27-2018, 10:55 PM
#18
MBworld Guru
RE:Tumor - Good job, Kelvin (Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop).
RE: Filter - The charcoal filter is damper controlled. Pressing the button puts in in recirculated air mode and routes it through the charcoal filter.
RE: Crayon smell: It can also be the semi-analine leather dye they use. It can have an odd chemical smell after sitting in the elements. Some say crayons, and I've even heard it compared to a flight fishy smell. BMWs are really bad about it.
RE: Filter - The charcoal filter is damper controlled. Pressing the button puts in in recirculated air mode and routes it through the charcoal filter.
RE: Crayon smell: It can also be the semi-analine leather dye they use. It can have an odd chemical smell after sitting in the elements. Some say crayons, and I've even heard it compared to a flight fishy smell. BMWs are really bad about it.
