Disappointed: 4K miles, funky smell already
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 744
Likes: 28
From: Houston, TX
2014 E550 Coupe and 2010 E350 Sedan
Disappointed: 4K miles, funky smell already
I owned the 2010 E350 sedan, and the funky A/C smell would show up after a while. Once the scheduled maintenance came around and the filter was changed, it went away. After another while, the smell would return. My guess is it would go anywhere from 10-15K miles before starting to smell bad.
Well, less than 4K into my 2014 E550 Coupe, the smell is already present. Color me disappointed. Of all the cars I've had, only the Mercedes cars have had this problem.
Well, less than 4K into my 2014 E550 Coupe, the smell is already present. Color me disappointed. Of all the cars I've had, only the Mercedes cars have had this problem.
Last edited by SnakeDoctor; Aug 20, 2014 at 10:49 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte
2012 C63; 2011 E350 Coupe
21,000 miles here. Never any smell.
Saw a segment on TV that mildew collects in the condenser under the dash area causing the odor.
There is a spray you can buy to kill the mildew. Forgot the name. Don't think it is the filter.
Saw a segment on TV that mildew collects in the condenser under the dash area causing the odor.
There is a spray you can buy to kill the mildew. Forgot the name. Don't think it is the filter.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 19
The smell usually is caused by moisture collecting in some damp areas (e.g. the evaporator) inside the A/C system. That causes mold and mildew, hence the smell.
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 744
Likes: 28
From: Houston, TX
2014 E550 Coupe and 2010 E350 Sedan
The smell usually is caused by moisture collecting in some damp areas (e.g. the evaporator) inside the A/C system. That causes mold and mildew, hence the smell.
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
Since your car is very new, does it happen that sometimes you keep the A/C Recirculation Mode 'ON', especially before shutting off the engine and let the car sit for a while when any moisture was trapped inside?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 19
Yes, I used to live by the ocean, and many of my cars had the smell in the A/C system over time. Some cars had the smell sooner, some later, all depends.
It is a moisture thing... Hence, I made a habit that before I shut-down the engine, I turned-off the A/C and leave the fan on high (circulation mode off) for a few tens of seconds. That helped.
Or, for the cars equipped with cabin air filter (like the Mercedes), I just change the cabin air filter often. I bought them online, and changed them myself accordingly.
It is a moisture thing... Hence, I made a habit that before I shut-down the engine, I turned-off the A/C and leave the fan on high (circulation mode off) for a few tens of seconds. That helped.
Or, for the cars equipped with cabin air filter (like the Mercedes), I just change the cabin air filter often. I bought them online, and changed them myself accordingly.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
E550 Coupe
Mildew Smell "NOT"
I live in the very humid mountains of Virginia and drive a 2011 E550 Coupe. I have never had any problem with bad odor in the A/C system though I do sometimes have minor fogging issues with the windshield on the lower passenger side and the passenger window where the air dust is directed toward. Not sure what could be causing your problem but it is possible that you have some kind of mold colonized in the duct work. Same thing happens to home A/C systems in the very humid Chesapeake Bay area.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
2014 E550 Coupe
It's been humid here too and at 4K no smell at all. Get some chemical guys new car smell or leather smell and put the AC in recirculate mode and do a couple of sprays near the footwells. Mine smells new all over again.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 744
Likes: 28
From: Houston, TX
2014 E550 Coupe and 2010 E350 Sedan
Thanks Kirk, I've tried that and it helps some. I'll keep trying. It's not as bad as it was, but I assume it's because I no longer run the system on auto. So it's never really going full blast.
