Hey Guys,

I recently acquired an '02 CLK55. This will be the 2nd one I have owned, I REALLY like this specific model of MB!! The first one I owned emitted a strong odor when idling and was also noticeable immediately after the car was shut off. My new one is the exact same, I find it hard at times to keep the driver window open when sitting at a light or in traffic. When I get out of the car it appears the smell is coming from the rear end, but I cannot be sure. I recently had it in for a coolant flush at the local dealership and they said the car looks really clean. The car had a minor oil leak and valve covers addressed prior to my purchase. It does not smell like gas, I find it hard to describe exactly what it smells like.

Have you guys experienced this odor in your ownership?? Any insight would be appreciated!

Cheers,

-Rob

Does it smell like rotten eggs? If so, you may be in for a catalytic converter replacement.

This was my first thought.

I appreciate the responses. I can see how one would assume the catalytic converters to be the culprit part, but I am pretty sure the cats are good. To be honest I am not really sure what rotten eggs smell like, if it's anything like milk that has gone bad I would not be driving the car! The first example I owned years ago had 55-60k miles and this one is at 86k. The previous one and my new car emit the exact same odor at times when idling. I hope we can agree it would be odd for the cats to go on a well maintained car at this mileage. The smell is more like something you would expect from an old American muscle car.

I plan to inquire about it when the car is in for its next oil change. I will be sure to post an update if they find anything.

Cheers,

-Rob

Do you baby the car? I would give it a good romping on the freeway once the car is all warmed up to burn off anything that might be stuck in the exhaust.

Rotten eggs smell like sulfur. Sulfur smells like demons. Stop at any shop you happen to pass and just ask them "Guys, does my car smell like bad cats?".

Cats can be ruined in a relatively short time or be perfectly fine for really long. You never know what the previous owner may have done at some point.

Lots of short trips can kill a cat in that amount of time.

Oh yes, i can assure you the car gets its fair share of spirited driving since i took ownership. The last owner bought it 8yrs ago w/ 82k on the clock and it had 86k when i acquired the car, so yes i am pretty sure there have been quite a few short trips during his ownership. I personally drove the car 600-700 miles after signing the papers. Not a ton after that, i finally had the time to title it last week. It passed the stringent safety and emissions test where i reside. I just find it odd the my last '01 CLK55 w/ 60k miles emitted the exact same smell. I feel like my buddies '92 500e gives off a similar smell, but it has been a while since i took a trip in it. More like the smell of burnt fuel. I did find a few posts of people needing cats on this car, it appeared that most had a CEL present at the time.

When i get a spare min after the holidays i plan to take it by a local indy like the other fellow member recommended.

Best,

-Rob