GLE Condenser cleaning
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3,127
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GLE 580
Follow some of the links here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ow-access.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ow-access.html
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 787
Likes: 407
From: SWFL
2024 GLE 450, 2009 SLK 300
What causes the condenser to need cleaning? Is it caused by water leaks? Operating in recirculate all of the time? I've never had this issue in any car I've owned. (knock on wood)
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 765
Likes: 289
From: Los Angeles
2024 GLE63s, 2021 E63s, 2018 GLC43
https://www.lieffcabraser.com/defect...-benz-ac-mold/
Perhaps because of the cabin being relatively sealed and in humid climates, moisture on the condenser after turning the car off would cause mold to grow, and subsequently cause a mold/locker room/dirty socks smell in the cabin.
Mercedes had tried to remedy the problem by updating the software on the car to run the fan for a bit to dry the condenser after the car was turned off.
I bought my dad a used W212 E class from TX and had it shipped to CA. It did have a slight musty smell, but one can of condenser cleaner and in a dry CA climate, the smell never returned. We all just leave the climate control on AUTO and adjust the temp as desired, and don't have any problems.
On the E class, I don't remember spraying into the condenser, maybe it wasn't accessible. So I sprayed it up the drain tube.
Perhaps because of the cabin being relatively sealed and in humid climates, moisture on the condenser after turning the car off would cause mold to grow, and subsequently cause a mold/locker room/dirty socks smell in the cabin.
Mercedes had tried to remedy the problem by updating the software on the car to run the fan for a bit to dry the condenser after the car was turned off.
I bought my dad a used W212 E class from TX and had it shipped to CA. It did have a slight musty smell, but one can of condenser cleaner and in a dry CA climate, the smell never returned. We all just leave the climate control on AUTO and adjust the temp as desired, and don't have any problems.
On the E class, I don't remember spraying into the condenser, maybe it wasn't accessible. So I sprayed it up the drain tube.
Last edited by taphil; Jun 23, 2025 at 02:48 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 1,204
GLE 580
https://www.lieffcabraser.com/defect...-benz-ac-mold/
Perhaps because of the cabin being relatively sealed and in humid climates, moisture on the condenser after turning the car off would cause mold to grow, and subsequently cause a mold/locker room/dirty socks smell in the cabin.
Mercedes had tried to remedy the problem by updating the software on the car to run the fan for a bit to dry the condenser after the car was turned off.
I bought my dad a used W212 E class from TX and had it shipped to CA. It did have a slight musty smell, but one can of condenser cleaner and in a dry CA climate, the smell never returned. We all just leave the climate control on AUTO and adjust the temp as desired, and don't have any problems.
On the E class, I don't remember spraying into the condenser, maybe it wasn't accessible. So I sprayed it up the drain tube.
Perhaps because of the cabin being relatively sealed and in humid climates, moisture on the condenser after turning the car off would cause mold to grow, and subsequently cause a mold/locker room/dirty socks smell in the cabin.
Mercedes had tried to remedy the problem by updating the software on the car to run the fan for a bit to dry the condenser after the car was turned off.
I bought my dad a used W212 E class from TX and had it shipped to CA. It did have a slight musty smell, but one can of condenser cleaner and in a dry CA climate, the smell never returned. We all just leave the climate control on AUTO and adjust the temp as desired, and don't have any problems.
On the E class, I don't remember spraying into the condenser, maybe it wasn't accessible. So I sprayed it up the drain tube.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Of course you're correct. Thread morphed to the evaporator. I live in Texas and have never used recirculate. If the outside temp is 95 and the inside of a parked car is 130, it's the 130 air that is continually passing over the evaporator on recirculate so it takes much longer to cool. With fresh air coming in at 95, it pushes out the 130 and then the evap deals with less initial heat. I had a 1st gen Durango with struggling a/c. When the car was parked and the inside got to 130, I would lower all 4 windows immediately to blow out the 130 when I started moving. Did this for maybe 3 minutes and then the a/c could catch up. Poor design. I have never needed an evap cleaning in 30 years over 20 cars including the wife's. But you know all this. It was for others......
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 22
From: Long Island NY
2022 Ram 2500 Diesel Limited
There is a low pressure power washer that we use to clean our mini splits in the house and pool heat pump. That will also work on the condenser. No bending of the aluminum and cleans perfectly.
