Ex-Bmw

I have a Gl450 with around 10,000 miles on it, and every time I start it I get a musty smell through the AC, almost like stagnant water. It usually goes away, but sometimes it comes back during regular driving. I'm aware that this can happen when recirculation is on, but I almost never have it on. Has anybody else experienced this problem? Any help would be nice!

Thanks

vraa

Something along the lines of sulphur...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=sulphur

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=sulphur

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=sulphur

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=sulphur

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=sulphur

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=sulphur

I hope those help, if not, try these.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ighlight=musky

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ighlight=musky

Other than that, I'm afraid I personally can't help you, but someone else might chime in.
Welcome to MBWorld.org btw, and update your profile!

lrrp

Take a shower once in awhile..

PA55AMG

Coming from a BMW I can't believe you're not used to this already. My 03 540 did this on a regular basis.

It's mold starting to grow in the condensor.

There are smelly things you can spray into the air con intake system, but I have found the best method is to turn off the a/c compressor several minutes before you turn off the car and run the fan on a higher speed to dry out the condensor.

This seems to be a German car thing, as I have never had this happen with Japanese cars.

Hope this helps.

s2kysk

Good one.

Like what others are saying, sounds like you need to clean the evaporator. Take it to service dept. and see what they say.

Steve_C7

Man you don't want to know how many toyota's and nissans that I have that do it allot worse than the mercs

PA55AMG

Wow, I guess I was lucky. 2 Izuzus and 5 Subarus almost never did this. My BMW 540 had this problem constantly. My 06 S55 hardly ever has this problem, but I follow my previous suggestion .

By the way, my 06 Range Rover which is designed by BMW does the same thing, but turning off the compressor a few minutes before turning off the engine, helps quite a bit.

Ex-Bmw

Thanks for the help. I'll turn the ac off a few minutes before I turn the car off and run the ac at a higher speed and hope it works. If not, off to the stealership!

Can Drive 55

You might also have them check to see if the evaporator is properly draining the water that collects from condensation.

fpenney

Mercedes is having a real problem with this and we are experiencing it also. Our 2013 GL450 started smelling real bad through the vents at about one or two thousand miles. We were told quietly from the service person that they are having other complaints. We have friends come in the new GL and that is the first thing they comment about. Man we have looked in and around that car for anything that might cause the smell and the car is clean as a whistle inside. Mercedes quite frankly does not know how to fix it. I think our only choice is California Lemon Law.

2010GL550

My wife and I had a similar problem in her 2010 GL550. Stale/moldy odor. She ALWAYS leaves the vent controls on recirculate which I think might contribute to the problem.

At any rate, I replaced the two cabin air filters AND sprayed Lysol in the filter opening (after taking the old ones out, but prior to putting the new ones in). That took care of the problem almost immediately.

Good luck!