I've discovered the source of the CRAYON smell!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
From: Dallas, TX
2010 Mercedes C350 Sport, 2006 Mercedes C280, 2001 BMW 530i
I've discovered the source of the CRAYON smell!
Yep...I found it! Anyone want to know what's causing it? I've parted out a W203 C class and tore my W204 C350 apart to find it's source 
)) 
The waxy "thermoplastic" material is underneath the HVAC, center dash and under front carpet. It wraps around the transmission tunnel, and feels waxy. Usually is light brown or black depending on model. To get to it, pull up the carpet pieces for the driver and passenger sides. Look in the space between the radio, hvac and it'll be there. You can just pull hard and rip the disgusting stuff out.
Lemme know if this helps get rid of the smell, cause now my car smells much better. Another location where the smell comes from is the rear speaker/trunk lid area, the insulation stinks there too.
Here's an example. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...on/1406820301/. Please leave a "thanks" if this helps!
)) The waxy "thermoplastic" material is underneath the HVAC, center dash and under front carpet. It wraps around the transmission tunnel, and feels waxy. Usually is light brown or black depending on model. To get to it, pull up the carpet pieces for the driver and passenger sides. Look in the space between the radio, hvac and it'll be there. You can just pull hard and rip the disgusting stuff out.
Lemme know if this helps get rid of the smell, cause now my car smells much better. Another location where the smell comes from is the rear speaker/trunk lid area, the insulation stinks there too.
Here's an example. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...on/1406820301/. Please leave a "thanks" if this helps!
Last edited by C350King; Feb 19, 2018 at 03:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
From: Dallas, TX
2010 Mercedes C350 Sport, 2006 Mercedes C280, 2001 BMW 530i
There's some waxy materal near rear struts, also some is permanently fused to underside of carpet.
Last edited by C350King; Feb 19, 2018 at 03:27 PM. Reason: forgot link
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
CLA250
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
CLA250
I was told by a fellow freind/mechanic that it could be the turbo going bad because he said when turbos go bad they burn fuel fast and have a weird smell to it. He wasn’t that sure either but seems like I am also getting bad gas mileage for a 4 cylinder. I am not driving fast and furious either, yet 😉 Don’t know if the crayon smell is related to the bad gas mileage but it’s driving me crazy.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
From: Dallas, TX
2010 Mercedes C350 Sport, 2006 Mercedes C280, 2001 BMW 530i
If the car smells like "burning crayon" it's probably cause the temperature around the shifter/exhaust tunnel area wax material is getting hot.
Concerning the wax smell in my case it also had seeped into the carpets and seats...so it was only greatly reduced...but not completely gone. Some cars are worse than others but this post was made to help people at least reduce the smell.
Concerning the wax smell in my case it also had seeped into the carpets and seats...so it was only greatly reduced...but not completely gone. Some cars are worse than others but this post was made to help people at least reduce the smell.
Last edited by C350King; Feb 19, 2018 at 03:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
From: Dallas, TX
2010 Mercedes C350 Sport, 2006 Mercedes C280, 2001 BMW 530i
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes c300
Crayon smell
Have the same issue with crayon smell. I am hoping you could explain or show a picture of how you removed the the carpet to find and remove the wax. Hoping as well mine is coming from the same issue! I hate the smell...
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
2009 C63 AMG
Act as if you were to change the cabin air filter, pull back the floor carpet then un tuck the carpet connected to the center console that goes under the dash.
Once pulled back you should see the trans tunnel a black hose and that dreaded tan looking waxy sound pad. Cut it out and/or pull it out.
Once pulled back you should see the trans tunnel a black hose and that dreaded tan looking waxy sound pad. Cut it out and/or pull it out.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Near Toronto, ON Canada
2005 CLK500 Cabriolet
The oil spill comment is a fair one. I have noticed an odd smell in my new to me 2005 since March. Initially I assumed it was just the smell of the car, but a month with an air sponge and it still smells odd especially if left closed up for a couple of days. Kind of oily.
I did clean out the trunk recently, and did have a strange "solution" covering parts of the tire and tools etc. I think I will go through it all again and see if that helps.
I did clean out the trunk recently, and did have a strange "solution" covering parts of the tire and tools etc. I think I will go through it all again and see if that helps.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
GL450
Are you still smelling the crayon smell? We just purchased a 2014 GL450 and the crayon smell permeates the entire car. We've had the cabin air filter changed and nothing changed. It's nauseating. Dealership says 'smells like a new car.' A 2014 shouldn't smell like a 'new car.' Ugh!!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
GL450
Thanks for your reply back. I'm going to bring it back to the dealership and see if they'll do what you suggested. I hate to go in myself and start pulling stuff out of a car I just paid $37k for 
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1
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SLK 200 R172
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 1
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GLK 250 Bluetec
Just got a pretty smelly '15 GLK 250 Bluetec
Have you noticed any issues after removing the insulation? Hate the smell, but just figure there has to be a reason for it being there. Thanks!
Have you noticed any issues after removing the insulation? Hate the smell, but just figure there has to be a reason for it being there. Thanks!
Yep...I found it! Anyone want to know what's causing it? I've parted out a W203 C class and tore my W204 C350 apart to find it's source ))
The waxy "thermoplastic" material is underneath the HVAC, center dash and under front carpet. It wraps around the transmission tunnel, and feels waxy. Usually is light brown or black depending on model. To get to it, pull up the carpet pieces for the driver and passenger sides. Look in the space between the radio, hvac and it'll be there. You can just pull hard and rip the disgusting stuff out.
Lemme know if this helps get rid of the smell, cause now my car smells much better. Another location where the smell comes from is the rear speaker/trunk lid area, the insulation stinks there too.
Here's an example. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...on/1406820301/. Please leave a "thanks" if this helps!
)) The waxy "thermoplastic" material is underneath the HVAC, center dash and under front carpet. It wraps around the transmission tunnel, and feels waxy. Usually is light brown or black depending on model. To get to it, pull up the carpet pieces for the driver and passenger sides. Look in the space between the radio, hvac and it'll be there. You can just pull hard and rip the disgusting stuff out.
Lemme know if this helps get rid of the smell, cause now my car smells much better. Another location where the smell comes from is the rear speaker/trunk lid area, the insulation stinks there too.
Here's an example. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...on/1406820301/. Please leave a "thanks" if this helps!
