stinky A/C???
#27
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Like K-A, I had two W211s before my W212 and MB acknowledged the "stinky A/C" problem of the past generation E-Class. The reason for this was that the discharge hose, the hose where the condensation from the A/C unit exits, was designed to not drain fully but to capture a small amount of discharged water. If this trapped discharge did not evaporate on its own it allowed bacteria to grow and produce mildew at the end of the discharge tube which spread all the way up to the filter. If mildew was present and the A/C unit was turned on it would permeate through the cabin producing a pungent stench but would eventually stop after a few minutes after enough air passed through the system to blow most of the mildew out of the air vents into the cabin (I know; yuck !). This was more prominent in the spring where people's A/Cs were not used all winter and the mildew had enough time to grow. If you only had mild mildew buildup it was enough to run the A/C a few times (for maybe 2-3 days) and have all the mildew out but in some more severe cases a trip to the dealer would be necessary if you were not handy with a can of fungicide. On the W211 E-Class under the glove box (or maybe through the glove box ?) would be the access point to get into the A/C system and the dealer would replace the old filter for the A/C unit there and also spray some anti-fungal foam into the tubes to kill all mildew spores leaving you with a fresh smelling A/C unit.
After receiving enough complaints MB redesigned the A/C discharge hose on the W212 and currently extracted water does not get trapped inside the hose but drains out of the car almost immediately. While I'm not saying it is impossible to get mildew in the W212's air vents it certainly is much harder then it was to get it on the W211. Search around on YouTube and you will see that every manufacturer is affected by this at some point or another. YouTube will also have videos to show you how to spray the fungicide on your particular model of car. The easiest way to prevent mildew buildup in your A/C unit is to run some warm, dry air about once a week through it to keep those air pipes dry.
After receiving enough complaints MB redesigned the A/C discharge hose on the W212 and currently extracted water does not get trapped inside the hose but drains out of the car almost immediately. While I'm not saying it is impossible to get mildew in the W212's air vents it certainly is much harder then it was to get it on the W211. Search around on YouTube and you will see that every manufacturer is affected by this at some point or another. YouTube will also have videos to show you how to spray the fungicide on your particular model of car. The easiest way to prevent mildew buildup in your A/C unit is to run some warm, dry air about once a week through it to keep those air pipes dry.
#28
Super Member
Thread Starter
I considered the 2012 A6, and have drove one pleny of times. The residuals on the new A6 Prestige are not very good. The E Class would save me a lot of money, even with my employee discount. I'm also looking at a S4, and the 2013 A4/S4s are getting a facelift, so I'd be stuck with the old look. Which I don't want. Greenway Mercedes and Sugarland Mercedes are both giving me employee pricing, even though I work for a competitor. One of the perks of being in the car industry..
#29
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2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
I considered the 2012 A6, and have drove one pleny of times. The residuals on the new A6 Prestige are not very good. The E Class would save me a lot of money, even with my employee discount. I'm also looking at a S4, and the 2013 A4/S4s are getting a facelift, so I'd be stuck with the old look. Which I don't want. Greenway Mercedes and Sugarland Mercedes are both giving me employee pricing, even though I work for a competitor. One of the perks of being in the car industry..
Wayne
#30
Super Member
Thread Starter
I'm still in the early phase of my shopping. I test drove with them last weekend, and they seemed very eager to earn my business. They said any offer I get from greenway they will match or beat? But greenway has the exact car I'm looking for in transit and will be there in 2 weeks. I'm still going to give sugarland a chance once I get my final lease quote from greenway for the in transit E350.
#31
Super Member
My 2010 w212 had/has the stink. Per the sa, the drain is fine otherwise there would be water in the pass. footwell. They replaced the cabin air filter, early, and the stink went away, for now. The sa told me that in humid climates, the ac coils are almost always wet and because of that, mold grows and that's what stinks. It's a shame they can't figure out a way to design that problem out. No other car I have owned has demonstrated this. In any event, and as some have suggested, running the blower w/o the ac on may help dry things out and keep the stink away.
#32
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2012 Mercedes E350 RWD, 1999 Olds Alero
When first engaging the AC it smells like toe jam. Not overpowering but I noticed it. Maybe it will go away after awhile. I had forgotten about this issue because I haven't used the AC. The only bad thing about the car.
#33
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2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
Clean you evaporator...here's how...from a local Hawaii car guru...
http://www.georgenitta.com/Evaporator.htm
I did this on my Lexus years ago...it worked...smell gone...Good luck.
Pete
http://www.georgenitta.com/Evaporator.htm
I did this on my Lexus years ago...it worked...smell gone...Good luck.
Pete
#35
For those of you in Houston, go to Star Motors. They will blow away Sugarland or Greenway. Small dealership that pays cash for all their cars from MB - no financing. They have a little more wiggle room on sale price...at least that is what I have been told. They treat me right.
#36
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2011 E550W - White/Almond, P2 Pkg, Pano Roof, Driver Dynamic Seat, Sport Pkg, Rear Spoiler
Hi from Katy, TX (West Houston),
My 2011 E550 has the same nasty AC smell too. Wife cant stand it, I thought an animal had died in there. SugarLand dealer says change cabin filter, reading here, seems temp fix. Not sure what I can do to fix this.
As for dealers, I bought this car from Ken at SurgarLand and recommend him. Stay as far away from Greenway, and I have not known Star to negotiate much. ARod Benz in South Houston has taken great care of me in the past too.
My 2011 E550 has the same nasty AC smell too. Wife cant stand it, I thought an animal had died in there. SugarLand dealer says change cabin filter, reading here, seems temp fix. Not sure what I can do to fix this.
As for dealers, I bought this car from Ken at SurgarLand and recommend him. Stay as far away from Greenway, and I have not known Star to negotiate much. ARod Benz in South Houston has taken great care of me in the past too.
#38
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2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
Lmk how it works out...you should check your cabin filter as well...either replace the filter or clean it with that spray.
Good luck.
Pete
#39
Senior Member
I recently had a dealer claim this isn't a warranty covered issue. This is pretty disturbing to hear as it appears to be a pretty common problem. I had hoped they'd do the right thing and fix my issue.
Has anyone had this issue and complained of it within warranty? If so, please PM me. We need to look into our alternatives here. Thanks
Has anyone had this issue and complained of it within warranty? If so, please PM me. We need to look into our alternatives here. Thanks