tootallll

I owned a 2017 GLE for 5 years it had 75k miles on it when I traded in, never had a problem with cabin stink. My 2022 GLE smells bad and it only has 10,000 miles. Going in for it's first service, anything I should ask the dealer to do while is in the shop?
thanks!

chassis

To the top to see if any solutions have been found.

Zeusmotorworks

How I finally beat the oder:

tommyr

I've used a similar foaming product (2008 BMW that had odor that I couldn't get rid of) that you spray into the system through the duct and it worked perfectly. Only issue was that eventually the audio head died (several years later), and I assumed that some foam might have escape the vent system and eventually caused corrosion. I was never really sure, but that was my guess.

BlueYonder

Reading the reviews, this is obviously not a Mercedes unique problem. I wonder if some sort of behavior such as driving in recirculate all the time, or never driving with the windows open and the system off contributes to the problem. Maybe the manufacturers should put a UV light at the evaporator to help kill mold.

mikapen

UV is a good idea.🤔

Mold in AC is not a Brand thing. It's regional and owner's practice related.

Once it takes residence in your system it's hard to permanently kill it.

Zeusmotorworks

I would expect that not to have been related with a quality vehicle.

Here in Central Texas with months on end over 100 degrees WITH humidity in the high 80s and 90s, and the ever increasing over population (traffic), recirc all the time is next to MANDATORY. I don't know how it could not be a factor. However, had a Toyota FJ on 35s for a offroad toy most often in the dust. Got tired of the recir turning off on its own and screwed that dam outside vent shut. Never had this problem in over 10 years of use here (also was not too stupid to crack a window for fogging).

UV light is a very good idea. Esp not too big and issue on a luxury vehicle that already has "disco" lighting as a gimmick.

Zeusmotorworks

...side note, had to treat my 2020 Raptor for the same problem. Don't remember it being a issue with other vehicles over the last 40 years.

The Raptor I introduced the product through the evap drain. The GLE I went through the center vent.

wildta

So how long does this treatment last for you in TX?

Zeusmotorworks

Will post back when I have to treat again. Has not been a month yet, but still good and both are daily's. Both driven 2 hrs a day M-F, some on weekends.

Vandi

did you go the ac drain hose route or spray it in from the cabin air filter location?

Zeusmotorworks

Drain has a bellowed drain tube from box to body and two 90 degree angles. That had me irritated for a while so removed cabin filter, then cracked door open pushing hose up to condenser (I have inspection camera). Used spray then quickly closed door and let foam work. However drain is recommended and would put you on other side of condenser I believe.

Vandi

Turns out the evaporator was clean. The detail guys just used a bunch of fragrance cleaners …. Time for baking soda, charcoal and a steam clean.

I broke out my inspection camera as well.

mikapen

Good investigation.

Unfortunately "clean" may not show the smelly mold or other suspects.

Other strategies are needed, and good luck with yours.

The usual MB haters say that "it's only a Mercedes problem," but they are just chewing cud. Ignore.

Think about it. Would several hundred brands make a line of AC mold busters, if their only market would be Mercedes cars?🤔

If so, why aren't they clearly labeled "for Mercedes?"🤔

Vandi

my S8 had the same issue

Zeusmotorworks

Yes, my wife's '22 GLE 450 "looked clean" too. However, smelled better afterwards. Also have to be careful of all the damn sensors in this system. With the camera found them in every vent and elsewhere too.

As I said before, I've had many vehicles from many different manufacturers over the last 40 years. This '22 GLE and my '20 Ford Raptor are the first I remember having these issues. Have spent the majority of that time living in South and Central Texas (lots o heat and **** tons of humidity). Recycle ALWAYS on, 24/7 365 days a year unless windows down weather (month or two here at best). These are the first two vehicles I've had with this issue and the forced recycle "off" after so long pisses me off. Got around it with the Ford. Have not found a way yet with the Benz. I'm sure some Dick Tracy is going to tell me how having the vehicle "buttoned up" most the time is my issue. I just don't get the explanation for the vehicles of the last four DECADES.

BlueYonder

There is no logical reason to run with recycle on all the time. The GLE is more than capable of adequate cooling without using recycle. I rarely run with recycle on (almost never). I drive with the windows down around town on nice days with the AC off. I live in Florida with a hot, humid environment and have yet to run into this problem. I don't know if constant use of recycled air contributes to the problem, but there does seem to be some correlation with the complaints seen on here.

Zeusmotorworks

Has nothing at all to do with cooling.There is no logical reason to run without recycle on 24/7 in the land of "bro" pickups "rolling coal", 1,000 skunks per mile, same for dead deer and other animals on the side of the road, dusty conditions, overpopulation and I could go on and on. You do you and I'll do me.

Vandi

Noted on the clean but still smelly. I’ll do the baking soda / charcoal thing and an ozone treatment and see where we are. I stuffed my face into the carpet in the back and darn near passed out from the perfume. Turns out they used a fragrance on the carpet and a different one on the all season mats. Uggg… used car detailing.

I’ll hit the evaporator with the foam if any smells persist. I have to rely on my daughter for the smell test as my sniffer isn’t 100%…

so far enjoying the GLE 580. Not as fast as the 605 hp S8 but far more practical.

Zeusmotorworks

At the time we bought, there was not much to be had, and less still at MSRP or better. So we "settled" for the 450 (She still loves it). Wish we'd held out for the 580/AMG63 but I'm the type who refuses to pay an ADM for anything. Wanted a Ford Raptor since they were released in 2009 but didn't get my 2020 until June of 2020 (at invoice) due to COVID paralyzing the market. It's not about the money for me, but the principle.

Enjoy your car. Just wish we didn't have this irritating issue to deal with.