terp97

Anybody had a awful smell come from the AC vents when the AC is on?

Ntuck

Funny you ask. Why yes, I have! I have had it about 3-4 times in the last month or so. It smells like dirty feet. I didn't know what the deal was...is that what you are smelling?

LeicaMan

Yes!

terp97

It smells like dirty feet or fresh mulch. But then it goes away and all day yesterday didn't smell anything. Will continue to monitor as it gets warmer. We are dropping temps again this week.

Ntuck

Yes, same smell. Mine goes away after a minute or so. I don't remember this smell when I first bought the car back last August and I certainly used the A/C a lot. It's freezing here in VA again, so won't be using the A/C either until probably next week. It's hit or miss with the smell. Interesting to know that 3 people now have the issue...wonder if we'll hear from more.

Steve Maislin

Maybe your condensation drain is clogged. Does your GL leave a puddle of water underneath it when you are running the AC on a warm and humid day?

wamochi

this is a common mercedes thing, i had it in my X164 and it's starting to show up in my X166. i'm pretty sure we had it in the E63 too.

there are a ton of threads all over this forum across various models and basically people give all sorts of suggestions that are really unrealistic in my opinion. like turn on your hot air fan blower a few minutes before you reach your destination to clear the condensation out of the ducts. well if it's 90 degrees out, i am sure you don't want to do that!

every other suggestion ever posted i have always followed (don't recirculate air, etc, etc.). but the bottom line is that it will eventually stink. it seems to be way worse in the summers when the condensation gets heavier.

i've brought it up with the dealer before, and if your car is pretty new, they might comp you a cleaning. if it's not a courtesy job, i believe they charge about $120. i am not sure how much time that covers - like does a cleaning put you back at Day zero and then you can expect the odor to come back after 6-9 months?

the smell dissipates after a few minutes but when the odor gets really bad, a few minutes is like an eternity . and if you take a lot of short trips (like running errands, etc), it starts up with the odor each time .

my X166 seems to have lasted longer than the X164 before developing an odor, but i don't drive as much as i used to so i am bracing myself for a potentially stinky summer

FWIW, my lexus is almost 3 years old and driven twice as much and no odor.

Kenn1926

I have it in my 13' ML550, it's terrible when it happens. About as embarrassing as the start up rattle from the oil draining from the top of the engine, that came back even after they repaired it as per the TSB... "The best or nothing..."

wamochi

LOL!


i agree it's very embarrassing. thankfully i don't haul many people around other than the family, so it's ok. but those few times i have other people, i make sure to open the windows when i start the car

blittle

Have not yet had it in my 13 GL450….but….have had it in many a car before it…. it's mold/mildew that builds up in the evaporator box of the HVAC system….not much that can be done EXCEPT go to the dealer and have the system cleaned….and, yes….it will come back! Matters a lot as to the climate in the area where you live, how much you drive the vehicle, etc.

I have an expensive Bosch clothes washing machine….. after you run a load of wash in the summer…. you better remember to leave the door open or you will get the infamous "mold smell" Not so, if you live in Arizona or such!

fabbrisd1

For old/oler/way-old - the Einszett Clima is a affordable treatment ... yes, no "Rest" on W166/X166 as on some earlier climate controls:

terp97

Update. Took in for service b and told them about the odor and they replaced a filter and deodorizer and all is good for now.

dtk92657

I own 2014 GL350. I had the same exact problem of awful smell from the AC. There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from Mercedes on the problem. My tech advisor recognized the problem immediately and as a matter of fact one ofther is in the shop for the same problem. It is problem due to faulty AC evaporator cap design, which is collecting moisture that allows developing mold. My advisor told me MB came up with a new design of of the evaporator cap. The dealer replaced the cap and air filter and mediate the whole car for mold removal. Now the awful odor from the mold is gone. The dealer kept the car for 2 days for whole repair and mediation process. My advisor said it is a quite involved process.

dasrajib

Hi,

Can you please upload the repair details...I also have the same problem.

Thanks,

Rajib

piper

I live in AZ and still this has happened to me on the 2 E-class. It is just condensation building up in the system and then molding. It comes on at around 9-12 months. Was told by my service adviser to turn AC system off before turning car off. This opens some kind of vent door allowing it dry and air out. I find this ridiculous, but have tried to make it a habit and smell still came on. Maybe not as bad, but still got it. I had both E classes cleaned out and filter changed at no charge. They know this is a problem and just surprised it has not been addressed. I have a GL450 on order and was hoping this was just an E class thing, but obviously not!