AC smell 2012 GL450
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2014 ML350
AC smell 2012 GL450
Hi, every summer my GL450 AC emits a kind of a chemical/plastic damp smell. It is hard to describe the smell exactly. But I've had the GL for 5 summers now and it does it every summer, winter there is no smell. I've tried others said about spraying lysol, frigifresh, and changing cabin air filter, but when AC is on, the smell is still there. I also noticed that when it gets really hot outside, the AC doesn't intake air from the front right hood intake, but couldn't figure out where? I've only tried to spray through the front right intake but when it gets hot, it seems to be closed as no air rushes through. Anyone else having similar issue or knows if there is another air intake I should be spraying? Thank you!
Last edited by evan8; May 20, 2019 at 01:09 PM.
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Have the mb dealership clean it on their dime. This is a known issue. Ask for a one time courtesy.
Then change the cabin filters to the mann frecious plus filter for our cars and change those yearly.
Then make sure you run the ac on auto and have the ac rest function turned on when you leave the car.
Otherwise if you think you'll forget this part, pay for the software updates for the climate control.
Then change the cabin filters to the mann frecious plus filter for our cars and change those yearly.
Then make sure you run the ac on auto and have the ac rest function turned on when you leave the car.
Otherwise if you think you'll forget this part, pay for the software updates for the climate control.
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2014 ML350
Hi Kombifan, Thank you for your response. I've tried what you described. The smell is still there. It smells like moisture chemical. After driving, my neck and nose would get irritated and itchy. I also noticed the back, behind 3rd row area is the strongest but couldn't located where. Please note this is not the bad socks smell. It smells like chemical. I've tried blowing with ac turned off before stops the car but didn't do anything to mitigate the smell. Also changed cabin filter every 6 month, didn't help either. Dealer tried using the refrigifresh but didn't help either. I am going to look to see if it is coming from the spare tire under the 3rd row. This happens only when it is hot outside.
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
A chemical smell? Do you have the rear ac?
Try tuning on full heat and letting it run for 30 minutes to burn it out. With you not in the car of course.
Try tuning on full heat and letting it run for 30 minutes to burn it out. With you not in the car of course.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Check your rear panels to make sure you don't have a water intrusion leak.
Check sam, where fuse panel is and hhe carpets for anything wet.
I also have a suspicion they didn't clean the rear ac system.
Check sam, where fuse panel is and hhe carpets for anything wet.
I also have a suspicion they didn't clean the rear ac system.
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2014 ML350
Hi Kombifan, I've checked. They are all dry. Also I noticed that when have the motor on 4 to 5(highest) speed, the smell is more. I've tried spraying frigifresh and lysol into the air intake on the front passenger side of the hood air intake. It goes through and let out through all air vents, including the 2nd row AC unit on the ceiling. Could you help to let me know how else should I clean the AC system(rear especially)?
Also, I noticed that when in circulating mode or when it is super hot, air doesn't come from the front passenger side vent on the hood. And I couldn't figure out where the air is coming from so maybe I need to spray that air intake as well?
Another suspicions is that air gets in passes through the cabin filter but the condensation foil is dirty. My understanding is that the foil is right before air gets out the vent and under the front dash somewhere. Do I need to have that replaced? Thank you so much!
Also, I noticed that when in circulating mode or when it is super hot, air doesn't come from the front passenger side vent on the hood. And I couldn't figure out where the air is coming from so maybe I need to spray that air intake as well?
Another suspicions is that air gets in passes through the cabin filter but the condensation foil is dirty. My understanding is that the foil is right before air gets out the vent and under the front dash somewhere. Do I need to have that replaced? Thank you so much!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
You have to use frigirrwsh or klima cleaner or cool it foam cleaner on the evap cooler coils.
This is what mb does.
Perform this. Then use the heat function to burn out the smell. When you've performed this enough. Replace the cabin filter again with the frecious plus mann filyer.
That is the best filter to stop themold from coming back.
This is what mb does.
Perform this. Then use the heat function to burn out the smell. When you've performed this enough. Replace the cabin filter again with the frecious plus mann filyer.
That is the best filter to stop themold from coming back.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2014 ML350
Thank you Kombifan! I will get the foam cleaner and try the heat you suggested.
I never used the foam cleaner, only frigifresh spray from the air intake. How should I use the foam cleaner to make sure foam gets onto the evap coils? Thank you!
I never used the foam cleaner, only frigifresh spray from the air intake. How should I use the foam cleaner to make sure foam gets onto the evap coils? Thank you!
