Foul Odor from Vents
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
2007 E350 P1 Sport Pkg, 1993 BMW 325is, 2000 Tacoma PreRunner V6, 2008 Porsche Cayman S
Foul Odor from Vents
I took my car to Escondido MB last month and complained about the odor coming from the mid vents after starting. They replaced heating/ac system combo filter, and evaporator temp sensor, did system ultrasonic cleaning, blah..blah..blah, the bottom line is it's fixed 
and smell like a brand new car. The wife loves it, so when she is happy then everybody is happy.
and smell like a brand new car. The wife loves it, so when she is happy then everybody is happy.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 121
From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
Under warranty, or did you pay for it?
Either way, how much?
I get a "smell" from the vents as well, can't say it is foul, but rather musty or moldy.
It usually clears up after a few minuttes, but still annoying.
I have the charcoil filter system in the car, but not sure if that has anything to do with it..
Either way, how much?
I get a "smell" from the vents as well, can't say it is foul, but rather musty or moldy.
It usually clears up after a few minuttes, but still annoying.
I have the charcoil filter system in the car, but not sure if that has anything to do with it..
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
2007 E350 P1 Sport Pkg, 1993 BMW 325is, 2000 Tacoma PreRunner V6, 2008 Porsche Cayman S
Under warranty, or did you pay for it?
Either way, how much?
I get a "smell" from the vents as well, can't say it is foul, but rather musty or moldy.
It usually clears up after a few minuttes, but still annoying.
I have the charcoil filter system in the car, but not sure if that has anything to do with it..
Either way, how much?
I get a "smell" from the vents as well, can't say it is foul, but rather musty or moldy.
It usually clears up after a few minuttes, but still annoying.
I have the charcoil filter system in the car, but not sure if that has anything to do with it..
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 439
Likes: 17
From: DC
2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R
http://car-reviews.suite101.com/arti...ir_conditioner
Just get into a habit of turning off the a/c couple blocks prior to your destination.
http://www.autogeek.net/wuachesytr.html This works very well and I have been using it. My tech at the dealership recommended this.
Just get into a habit of turning off the a/c couple blocks prior to your destination.
http://www.autogeek.net/wuachesytr.html This works very well and I have been using it. My tech at the dealership recommended this.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
W211 Elegance Saloon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 439
Likes: 17
From: DC
2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
yup, at least on the E class and other lower models (CLK, C, SLK). I think even the CLS doesn't come with it. Probably only the S/CL/SL have it now, idk. Man, MB used to make one AC control system i really liked, it was used on pretty much all MBs at one point for a little while: seperate auto mode, seperate direction for passenger/driver, charcoal filter, REST, econ mode, etc
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Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Nice looking wheels
I had the smell thing, too. Dealer fogged with the Wynn's stuff and it went away.
- nopcbs
- nopcbs
I took my car to Escondido MB last month and complained about the odor coming from the mid vents after starting. They replaced heating/ac system combo filter, and evaporator temp sensor, did system ultrasonic cleaning, blah..blah..blah, the bottom line is it's fixed and smell like a brand new car. The wife loves it, so when she is happy then everybody is happy.
and smell like a brand new car. The wife loves it, so when she is happy then everybody is happy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Thanks for the info,, the wife said she has been smelling a musty smell in our E500. I haven't changed the under glove box filter, but I have changed the combo cabin filter.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
If you are going to do it yourself, I would recommend removing the cabin air filter from under the hood and spraying the fog agent directly into the opening while running the fan at max speed. This way the agent will be drawn into the system and blown throughout all the little crevices in the evaporator.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
i agree. i can't stand the HVAC system in this car. we have an 02 CL500 also and i love the system in that car, it's as it can read my mind, seriously vs the E class i always have to mess around with it.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
The weak link?
How about the gawdawful gps system and the terrible positioning of the LCD display and the horrible user interface to the HVAC and audio systems?
At least you can spritz once in a while to kill the ododr. The other stuff is with you until you sell the car.
- nopcbs
At least you can spritz once in a while to kill the ododr. The other stuff is with you until you sell the car.
- nopcbs
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 3
From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Agreed *BUT* .. remember, the w211 is a 2003 design. For 2003, it was state of the art. I bought a 2008 W211 knowing full well the interior is not state of the art, but then I don't want to the latest and greatest and the bugs that go with it.
So yes, its not great, BUT, for a 2003 model year design, it is excellent.
So yes, its not great, BUT, for a 2003 model year design, it is excellent.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yeah, the Nav does suck, but even the '10 M-B E's are behind in the Nav game. I'm not that concerned with state of the art Tech in my cars, so it doesn't really bug me, I think the 211's interior is state of the art and timeless in the area's where its relatively dated tech don't ail it.
My beefs with mostly lies in the HVAC unit, and the fact that their isn't a knob like the new ones, to control everything (gotta reach your arm to the screen). The Nav is horrible, but for how limited I use it, it's not a problem. In a looks case, I actually like the screen in its position, as it keeps the cockpit a little warmer (cars with screens on dash always have a plasticky ugly Radio unit), and I personally find that although the dash screens in theory are safer, and more convenient, they could also be distracting, I've heard people complain that certain dash-screen cars have gotten distracting with the light right in their face.
My beefs with mostly lies in the HVAC unit, and the fact that their isn't a knob like the new ones, to control everything (gotta reach your arm to the screen). The Nav is horrible, but for how limited I use it, it's not a problem. In a looks case, I actually like the screen in its position, as it keeps the cockpit a little warmer (cars with screens on dash always have a plasticky ugly Radio unit), and I personally find that although the dash screens in theory are safer, and more convenient, they could also be distracting, I've heard people complain that certain dash-screen cars have gotten distracting with the light right in their face.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Sorry, no can do
First of all, in 2003 you could purchase, for a couple of hundred bucks, a gps that was FAR better than the far more expensive unit MB chose to put in their $50,000+ sedan. It is absolutely not state of the art for even 2003. It may be state of the art for 1995, when Olds introduced the first gps in a car, but for 2003? No way. The gps in my wife's 2004 RX330 (a 2003 design, by the way) is FAR superior and makes the gps in the W211 look like a high-school electronics club project. Please do not make excuses for MB's incompetence in providing a pathetic excuse for a gps in a $50,000+ sedan. When you do that sort of thing you start sounding like one of those goofy BMW heads who have confused their car with their personality.
Second, if they were a responsible company and did make a mistake with the gps in their new 2003 model, that should have been fixed by the next model year. The beauty of electronics and software is that you only needed a competent programmer to fix the work of an incompetent one. The hardware can remain the same.
As for the other stuff I mentioned, there were many cars built long before 2003 that MB could have copied from to provide an easy to use HVAC interface and a display that is up high and not dangerously down low from the driver's field of vision when he is driving. My 1992 LS400 does the HVAC controls way better.
Again, please make no excuses for poor design and bad engineering choices. MB did many things right with the W211 (why I bought one), but they really screwed the pooch on a lot of others. Applaud them when they are right, condemn them when they do wrong...especially when the errors are so obvious.
- nopcbs
Second, if they were a responsible company and did make a mistake with the gps in their new 2003 model, that should have been fixed by the next model year. The beauty of electronics and software is that you only needed a competent programmer to fix the work of an incompetent one. The hardware can remain the same.
As for the other stuff I mentioned, there were many cars built long before 2003 that MB could have copied from to provide an easy to use HVAC interface and a display that is up high and not dangerously down low from the driver's field of vision when he is driving. My 1992 LS400 does the HVAC controls way better.
Again, please make no excuses for poor design and bad engineering choices. MB did many things right with the W211 (why I bought one), but they really screwed the pooch on a lot of others. Applaud them when they are right, condemn them when they do wrong...especially when the errors are so obvious.
- nopcbs
Agreed *BUT* .. remember, the w211 is a 2003 design. For 2003, it was state of the art. I bought a 2008 W211 knowing full well the interior is not state of the art, but then I don't want to the latest and greatest and the bugs that go with it.
So yes, its not great, BUT, for a 2003 model year design, it is excellent.
So yes, its not great, BUT, for a 2003 model year design, it is excellent.
Last edited by nopcbs; Mar 13, 2010 at 05:32 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Third option
There is a third option for placement of the display screen other than too low, like in the W211 where looking for it makes you move your focus very far from the winshield, and (the maybe bad) up above the dash where it could be a distraction (like Cadilac does now). That is in the dash, but high up in it, so you need not lower your eyes much to use it and it is easy to find.
Good compromise. Works well in my wife's Lexus.
- nopcbs
Good compromise. Works well in my wife's Lexus.
- nopcbs
Yeah, the Nav does suck, but even the '10 M-B E's are behind in the Nav game. I'm not that concerned with state of the art Tech in my cars, so it doesn't really bug me, I think the 211's interior is state of the art and timeless in the area's where its relatively dated tech don't ail it.
My beefs with mostly lies in the HVAC unit, and the fact that their isn't a knob like the new ones, to control everything (gotta reach your arm to the screen). The Nav is horrible, but for how limited I use it, it's not a problem. In a looks case, I actually like the screen in its position, as it keeps the cockpit a little warmer (cars with screens on dash always have a plasticky ugly Radio unit), and I personally find that although the dash screens in theory are safer, and more convenient, they could also be distracting, I've heard people complain that certain dash-screen cars have gotten distracting with the light right in their face.
My beefs with mostly lies in the HVAC unit, and the fact that their isn't a knob like the new ones, to control everything (gotta reach your arm to the screen). The Nav is horrible, but for how limited I use it, it's not a problem. In a looks case, I actually like the screen in its position, as it keeps the cockpit a little warmer (cars with screens on dash always have a plasticky ugly Radio unit), and I personally find that although the dash screens in theory are safer, and more convenient, they could also be distracting, I've heard people complain that certain dash-screen cars have gotten distracting with the light right in their face.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
my car didn't come with the navigation option, but came with the comand screen. i decided not to add the navigation just cause after reading all the stuff here and talking around, the thing sucks. the hvac controls on the v6 models SUCKS!!! i hate it. the v8 is a lot better from what i've seen. i mean u can't adjust the temp by 1 degree, only 2 (68, 70, 72, etc). wtf??? our 06 yukon (last year of previous design, many features updated in 2003) has a digital control that let's me adjust it from 50 to 90 degrees, 1 by 1. also with the E v6 version, you can't get it to blow different directions on each side separate (top, center, floor). let's not even talk about the rear. that's just horrible. even the w220 s430/500 didn't come with controls for the rear standard.
the nav in our yukon (made by delphi if i remember correctly), off the chart. i mean touch screen, almost eye level, easy to use, etc (only bad part of the unit is the volume processor for the speakers).
lol i remember when they had to replace the hvac control unit, i asked the dealer if they could get me the v8 version that was digital. they just laughed.
the nav in our yukon (made by delphi if i remember correctly), off the chart. i mean touch screen, almost eye level, easy to use, etc (only bad part of the unit is the volume processor for the speakers).
lol i remember when they had to replace the hvac control unit, i asked the dealer if they could get me the v8 version that was digital. they just laughed.
Last edited by gaazmon; Mar 13, 2010 at 07:10 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I haven't had much seat time in a car with a dash screen, aside from an E60, which seemed okay. I saw someone recently complaining that the dash screen on their W212 E-Class gets distracting and messes up their vision of the road, even at night with it's more subdued lighting.
I like the look of a lower dash for some reason, seems cleaner, but functionally, (and even looks wise), seems a high up, but not ON the dash is a near perfect compromise.
One thing I wish my car REALLY had is an "iDrive" knob the new Benzes do, as right now changing the stations, etc. I leave my hand perched on the nice aluminum shift-knob. Also, M-B has the dumb idea of not allowing you to search through your presets on the steering wheel, instead, scan through thousands of radio stations.
I like the look of a lower dash for some reason, seems cleaner, but functionally, (and even looks wise), seems a high up, but not ON the dash is a near perfect compromise.
One thing I wish my car REALLY had is an "iDrive" knob the new Benzes do, as right now changing the stations, etc. I leave my hand perched on the nice aluminum shift-knob. Also, M-B has the dumb idea of not allowing you to search through your presets on the steering wheel, instead, scan through thousands of radio stations.
