I bought mine Jun 2016, 3 months down the road around Sept., it already has weird moldy smell, so I took it to dealer and complaint about it. They ended up "Offer" me a complimentary service by replacing the filter.
I had my first A service done Jun this year (2017), soon after that I noticed the smell comes back, and sometimes it gets REALLY strong during driving.
I have a one year old baby on board, I am worried about his health.

After reading tons of threads about having the same issue and the class action law suit, I decided to go back to dealer. However, this time they decide to offer me some bs $270 cleaning services.
So I went online and find this forum, and hope nice guys here can point me to the right direction.

I read the post about replacing the cabin filter under the passenger side, so I ordered one on ebay. Here is the link, in case you need one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/192305675716

Since I just did the service A, I don't think I need to replace the cabin filter under the engine hood. I don't know where it is, I saw someone posted something like that.
Can someone show me where it is?
Where can I find the location of that cabin filter? owner's manual?

I also watched this video,
and attempt to use the Kool-It cleaner to clean and disinfect the evaporator, but I am not sure if GLC 300's evaporator is at the same location as in the video.
Can someone confirm this for me?

I am also attempting to do service B by myself since I got a year to learn. However, I have NEVER done any car maintenance myself.
Is it worth it to do it myself ( time + material cost) comparing to throw it to dealer?

Does it have side effect when it comes to selling the car since I wouldn't printout showing all the services are done? Should I keep receipt for all the parts I purchased?

I am a fairly handy guy who assemble PCs, and work in IT industry. However, English is not my first language as you can probably tell by now.

 

Have you tried spraying Lysol into the intakes at exterior of windshield? I had a mold smell in my older g37, had a complete ac service and all filters changed but it didn't go away. I found videos online about spraying the Lysol for 60 seconds with the heat turned on to max. It worked. Even after the Lysol smell wasn't present anymore the mildew smell was gone. I use it also for smoke smell every couple months.

 

Suggest you do a search on 'Replacing cabin filter'.

Also, watch this:

​​​​​​

 

I just replaced the filter under passenger side and used the kool-it cleaner and also spary Lysol on the filter for 60 sec.
The smell was gone for a day, and comes back the next day for about 5 mins, and then it was gone again.

Great to know, can you post the link to that video? I don't know where the intakes is for GLC 300.

 

This is one of the videos I watched. Thank you. I have replaced the cabin filter.

 

In dry environment - cabin filter get's changed per spec every 20K miles - in environments every 10K miles.

I recommend ClimaCleaner for system cleanup - works great - aerosol tube up thru the system with filter pulled - and back down thru dash vents - let sit for 10 minutes for it to do its thing.

 

KlimaCleaner:

 

Here is the link to the lawsuit. If it does not show up just google "Mercedes Bens smell lawsuit."
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-benz-air-conditioning-odor-lawsuit.shtml&ved=2ahUKEwjJ4Y_HmuLaAhVH1oMKHbgWAOo QFjAAegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw2aj3WUjA4nO0COppIB9Z1R

 

Lysol disinfectant spray (lemon breeze) worked for my GLC43 and my wifes Macan (inside filter box). I sprayed it directly on the outside air intake (fine filter removed) with recirculate off, blower on med high. I also removed the inside cabin filter when I did this. I emptied about a 3rd of this 19oz Lysol can, ran blower on high recirculate for another 10min, afterwards I replaced the inside cabin filter with a new one. I then ran the blower on high heat (engine running) for 20min with the windows down.

 

I had this issue with my 2013 C250 after only ~5K miles until someone told me to keep the climate control on AUTO all the time (and adjust the temp as needed). That actually worked and no more funky smells after that. Apparently a fan continues to run after you shut the car off, which dries up residual moisture in the system - or something similar.

Whatever - but it certainly worked for me and I now do this for all my cars as it's been a problem for me in the past with BMW and Porsche as well.

 

If you own a GLC and are having this AC problem please please tell everybody. Your friend, neighbors, co workers, online users.

Specifically, you should share your input on this thread below. Their "new car" pride and skepticism makes them think there is NO hvac issue with the GLCs. HA.

https://mbworld.org/forums/glc-class...ml#post7610643

 

I think this post was most "on point" for a "solutions" - "someone told me to keep the climate control on AUTO all the time (and adjust the temp as needed). That actually worked and no more funky smells after that. Apparently a fan continues to run after you shut the car off, which dries up residual moisture in the system - or something similar."

Frankly - the problems I have seen have literally all been tied to continued "manual setting" for the operation of the AC - as a member of the "ACCC - Auto Climate Control Club" - frankly I have never had this issue...

That said - the easiest thing to re-mediate a existing problem - takes 30 minutes - car idling - heat full on - if you have re-circulation - set that to on. A 30-min "cook job" at least 80% of the time is a good knock out.

The MB "climate control" service - is filter replacement and a evap/system cleaner kindof-identical to Klima Cleaner

 

+1

 

Interesting topic and I would be upset if I had this issue (mold is bad), but have never smelled something funky or mold like in my GLC. I absolutely keep the HVAC on AUTO, mainly because of Remote Start to let the system decide what needs done. My temp is usually set to 70 degrees and I go up/down from there depending on the weather.

I'll review this info because this could be a serious topic/issue, but haven't noticed anything so far in a year of ownership.

 

I have a 2018 GLC---about eight months and no issues at all. Good tip on the Klima Cleaner which I've saved on my Amazon wish list just in case. For auto odors, I don't think anything is worse than dead rodent smell. I had a mouse work itself up into an old SUV of mine, nest in the cabin filter, and then wander somewhere to die---we coudn't located the carcass. It stunk. Nothing worked to clean or clear the smell---so I bought an ozone machine. After a few treatments, the smell was gone for good. Good for homes and rental properties---and hope to never have to use it in my Mercedes vehicles!

 

Hi Ken - do you leave the climate control on AUTO?

And any similar issues with your other Mercedes vehicles listed? Just curious.

 

Hi Brady,

I can't say that I leave the Climate Control on Auto all the time. I shut all the systems off when I turn the car off. But yes, I do use the "Auto" climate control very frequently----I like how easy it is to activate simply by hitting one switch. No other similar issues with my GLC 300 4matic. It's been a great daily driver. Gas mileage is getting better as the vehicle breaks-in, and finally got over 30 MPG (per the computer) on highway. It's no Prius hybrid, but when your other cars are AMG variants, anything over 30 mpg is cause for celebration. My only complaint is the poor placement of the window washer button on the end of the turn signal stalk. It is way too easy to hit the button accidentally when using the turn signal. A recessed button would fix that issue. My GLC is nearing 10K miles and its first service A. Fingers-crossed that this vehicle remains issue free---and hoping that those who do have the mold smell get that issue resolved quickly.

Ken

 

It's the A/C that fixes the issue, By leaving it on auto you get continuous dehumidification. Some people try economize by turning the A/C off, usually with very predictable results, as mold thrives on humidity. Mold smell.

 

Maybe a Class Action Lawsuit will help MB come with a solution to this very common problem.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2...-lawsuit.shtml

 

The great part about this thread - if you actually read it - is the Solution is Educated Use - and unfortunately Mercedes has not been clear with correct instruction for those owners who report "the problem"....frankly the "lawsuit" is spurious/nonsensical... Mercedes sells over 7K new vehicles every day/365....that's the factual data...

 

Same "problem" with BMWs I had since 2007. Put them on auto and never a "problem" since.

Not an issue at all. However, I live in.a dry area and garage my cars. YMMV.