mferioli

Hey guys!
New here, trying to deal with some issues on my 2010 ML 350 Bluetec. One is the apparently common smelly AC situation. I've got some evaporator cleaner that needs to be injected into the air box and am not sure exactly where the drain tube comes down under the car, anyone have any pictures? I've looked under the car and on the net but can't find it. I'm also not seeing and water drips which doesn't help.

Maj. Dundee

Everyone forgets that all vehicles now have Charcoal Cabin Air Filters that should be changed every two years. Purchase them first and then replace them. Make sure you vacuum out all debris.

flybd5

What the Maj. said. Change those filters! Takes just a minute, you can DIY.

mferioli

Maj. Dundee

I forgot to include the removal of the glove box. See previous post.

mferioli

Thanks for those diagrams, where did you get those? do you have any that show where the evap drain line comes through the firewall?

flybd5

The AC evaporator drain is #4.

mferioli

Thanks for that, but im still trying to figure out how to access that drain from under the car. Seems like its behind a heat shield or something.

Is it easy to access the side of the housing from inside the car? maybe i can drill a small port and then use a removable plug it for easy cleaning in the future.

flybd5

I believe it can be accessed from the driver's side, to the right of the accelerator pedal and under the center console, a hose that leads down. This pic of a different year model, but it's the closest I can find to give you a hint. Sorry.

ItalianJoe1

It is behind stuff under the car, but why do you need to access it? Replace the filters first, they are usually the cause of the odor on startup.

mferioli

I'm sure replacing the filters will help and I will do that. I also want to get the evaporator coil cleaned and be sure the drain tube is clear as well. I like to be thorough, to ensure I do all I can to to solve an issue. I see no good reason not to try and clean it if it is indeed possible to access.

Thanks

Maj. Dundee

Two and a half weeks into the problem and you still haven't looked at or changed the filters.

mferioli

Maj.

Not sure why you are continuing to comment on this thread if you have no useful info, the filters are not the point. I know the car has filters, I have looked at them, I know they need to be changed every so often, I know that it may help or even eliminate the current odor. I am trying to gather info about the drain tube from users that may already know where it is and the best way of accessing it so that I can do the same with less effort. I'm generally pretty busy, so the more relevant info I can find ahead of time the better.

The point is to check the drain tube for any obstructions, run a tube up inside the evap box and spray foaming cleaner in there if it all possible. The filters may very well be causing an odor but changing them won't clean the evaporator coil and that is what I would also like to accomplish.

Also, you may want to adjust your writing style, it is pretty condescending and may be portraying you as someone that you are not.

ItalianJoe1

The cleaning process is done from the interior, not from the drain tubes, according to MB. We remove the blower motor and use that opening to access the evaporator to spray cleaner onto it.

Maj. Dundee

I'll remember this for your future needs.