GlS Humidity and Mold smell
04-30-2018, 10:41 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gls450
GlS Humidity and Mold smell
Our 2017 GLS450 has neen to the dealer 3 times already due to the mols issue Mercedes has been having with their Air Conditioning units in various models. We are returning the car today and claiming the Florida Lemon Law. Here is a link to a class action lawsuit MB owners have filed because of this problem. 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
05-02-2018, 02:00 PM
#4
Member
Got this on the 2017 GLS550 - they did the cleaning service once, helped, but not solved. Here in the Carolinas, Charlotte, this is a frequent need as well. When it gets bad, it is nasty. From the linked document:
Anyone seen a copy of this? VW had the same thing for years (still does) but had a TSB 'Technical Service Bulletin' with cleanup instructions. I'd love to see the document from MB.
The plaintiffs reference bulletins sent to dealers in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2016, with all the bulletins describing moldy smells in numerous models.
05-02-2018, 02:06 PM
#5
Member
Ah yep, need to find these gems, from: https://workshop-manuals.com/mercede...tioning_vents/
The 'laws of physics' comment is gold, Jerry, gold. And they (the dealers and MBUSA) wonder why we consumers have the occasional antagonistic relationship with them . . . sheesh.
Haven't found those docs - yet - it's behind an obvious paywall for MB Techs only it seems: https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/
Georgia lawsuit itself, worth a quick read for the history, might help your lemon effort: https://www.lieffcabraser.com/pdf/Me...nt-Georgia.pdf
Musty/moldy odor, refer to Star TekInfo document P-B-83.30/74j (or latest version) and T-B-83.30/91c (or latest version)
Haven't found those docs - yet - it's behind an obvious paywall for MB Techs only it seems: https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/
Georgia lawsuit itself, worth a quick read for the history, might help your lemon effort: https://www.lieffcabraser.com/pdf/Me...nt-Georgia.pdf
Last edited by cemeek; 05-02-2018 at 02:18 PM. Reason: didn't complete thought
05-02-2018, 02:23 PM
#7
Member
Do you run this while driving? Or parked/running? I'd expect you'd want to be on Max A/C with recirc going for it to be fully effective, no?
Trending Topics
05-02-2018, 02:26 PM
#8
The following users liked this post:
cemeek (05-02-2018)
06-20-2018, 12:28 AM
#9
Any updates on this? 40k miles on our 17' and summer is in full affect in Nor Cal so the AC is putting in work. I have noticed a not so pleasant aroma when turning the AC on.
07-06-2018, 02:43 PM
#10
Every car I've ever had periodically when turning the car/AC on will give a bad smell for 30 seconds or so every now and then. That just kind of happens with cars sometimes. I have noticed however that the AC on the GLS is a bit of a mystery. I also notice humidity sometimes. I think it has to do with how big the car is. This is Mercedes' largest standard passenger vehicle (not including the buses and vans, etc.). I also have the 3 zone climate package which gives more vents and rear controls. Do you guys notice if it makes a difference whether or not you have that package?
07-07-2018, 12:17 AM
#11
Every car I've ever had periodically when turning the car/AC on will give a bad smell for 30 seconds or so every now and then. That just kind of happens with cars sometimes. I have noticed however that the AC on the GLS is a bit of a mystery. I also notice humidity sometimes. I think it has to do with how big the car is. This is Mercedes' largest standard passenger vehicle (not including the buses and vans, etc.). I also have the 3 zone climate package which gives more vents and rear controls. Do you guys notice if it makes a difference whether or not you have that package?
As an aside, we also have a BMW X5 that has very poor A/C. According to the Bimmer forums, that is well known flaw.
07-11-2018, 03:40 AM
#12
Every car I've ever had periodically when turning the car/AC on will give a bad smell for 30 seconds or so every now and then. That just kind of happens with cars sometimes. I have noticed however that the AC on the GLS is a bit of a mystery. I also notice humidity sometimes. I think it has to do with how big the car is. This is Mercedes' largest standard passenger vehicle (not including the buses and vans, etc.). I also have the 3 zone climate package which gives more vents and rear controls. Do you guys notice if it makes a difference whether or not you have that package?
07-12-2018, 02:35 AM
#13
Member
It may sound counter intuitive, but every once in a while you should run your car ac on full heat manual, fan max, all vents open. Tt dries out the evaporator and ducts and keeps mold out. If you haven't done this in a few years you may have to resort to chemically cleaning the ducts. Which is a real barsteward to do.
09-16-2018, 03:54 AM
#14
Junior Member
My Tahoe in the Philippines has this problem when it sits for a few months.
solution is to close all the windows and run max heat for 15 minutes.
Dries out all the mold.
solution is to close all the windows and run max heat for 15 minutes.
Dries out all the mold.
05-10-2019, 12:35 PM
#16
Member
The odor is un-evaporated moisture and if you have re cycle vents on it makes it worse when you shut the car off..
Here is how you eliminate the problem from the beginning as a tech told me decades ago. If you use the AC, a little before you shut your car down, shut the AC off and open the vents (do not keep re cycle air) on.. This will let the fresh air vents open. Even better if your car is garage kept, open the windows, which will allow the vents to fully dry of moisture. There really is no way to avoid this in any vehicle if moisture is trapped.
Hope this helps.
Here is how you eliminate the problem from the beginning as a tech told me decades ago. If you use the AC, a little before you shut your car down, shut the AC off and open the vents (do not keep re cycle air) on.. This will let the fresh air vents open. Even better if your car is garage kept, open the windows, which will allow the vents to fully dry of moisture. There really is no way to avoid this in any vehicle if moisture is trapped.
Hope this helps.
05-10-2019, 01:00 PM
#17
Newbie
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2017GLS
The odor is un-evaporated moisture and if you have re cycle vents on it makes it worse when you shut the car off..
Here is how you eliminate the problem from the beginning as a tech told me decades ago. If you use the AC, a little before you shut your car down, shut the AC off and open the vents (do not keep re cycle air) on.. This will let the fresh air vents open. Even better if your car is garage kept, open the windows, which will allow the vents to fully dry of moisture. There really is no way to avoid this in any vehicle if moisture is trapped.
Hope this helps.
Here is how you eliminate the problem from the beginning as a tech told me decades ago. If you use the AC, a little before you shut your car down, shut the AC off and open the vents (do not keep re cycle air) on.. This will let the fresh air vents open. Even better if your car is garage kept, open the windows, which will allow the vents to fully dry of moisture. There really is no way to avoid this in any vehicle if moisture is trapped.
Hope this helps.
05-11-2019, 09:41 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Turn on the rest feature so that the ac blows air when the car turns off.
This dries out the ac system.
If really bad, run the heating on high for a while to kill all mold.
Also change the cabin filter to the frecious plus mann filter. This is a much better allergy and mold specific combating filter
This dries out the ac system.
If really bad, run the heating on high for a while to kill all mold.
Also change the cabin filter to the frecious plus mann filter. This is a much better allergy and mold specific combating filter
