Best Way To Get Rid Of That Funky Smell
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 261
From: In The Woods
2019 W222 S560 4Matic/2025 Yukon Denali
Best Way To Get Rid Of That Funky Smell
What is the best way to get rid of the funky smell from the hvac system in the s430?
DO you know where it sucks air in from for the interior?
How does MB do it? Some crazy toxic spray?
DO you know where it sucks air in from for the interior?
How does MB do it? Some crazy toxic spray?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Under the hood, near the base of the right side of the windshield, find the large grille opening. This is the HVAC air inlet. Use a flashlight to look at the bottom of the funnel shape, and make certain that the small opening at the bottom end of the funnel is clean and clear, and that there are no rotting leaves or debris in the funnel.
Look under the car and find the drain where condensate (water) drips out while the air conditioning is going. Use something reasonably smooth and non-sharp (to avoid punching a hole in the AC evaporator or the heater matrix) to make certain that the drain is open and clean.
Pull the carpet up in the right front floor, and carefully check for any traces of dampness or mold in the carpet padding and insulation. If that little drain hole in the first paragraph gets plugged, rain and wash water will overflow thru the firewall into the car and run under the carpet and padding all the way to the rear seat area, causing serious water damage to the electrical circuits in the area. You will NOT be able to see any signs of water on the top of the carpet! If there are signs of dampness, rust, mold, etc., it MUST be fixed, or you will have serious and continuing electrical problems.
If you take care of all of these possibilities, and still have an odor problem, there are commercially-available aerosols to clean the evaporator and its housing to help reduce the odor.
Look under the car and find the drain where condensate (water) drips out while the air conditioning is going. Use something reasonably smooth and non-sharp (to avoid punching a hole in the AC evaporator or the heater matrix) to make certain that the drain is open and clean.
Pull the carpet up in the right front floor, and carefully check for any traces of dampness or mold in the carpet padding and insulation. If that little drain hole in the first paragraph gets plugged, rain and wash water will overflow thru the firewall into the car and run under the carpet and padding all the way to the rear seat area, causing serious water damage to the electrical circuits in the area. You will NOT be able to see any signs of water on the top of the carpet! If there are signs of dampness, rust, mold, etc., it MUST be fixed, or you will have serious and continuing electrical problems.
If you take care of all of these possibilities, and still have an odor problem, there are commercially-available aerosols to clean the evaporator and its housing to help reduce the odor.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 261
From: In The Woods
2019 W222 S560 4Matic/2025 Yukon Denali
Thank you as always.
I punched my reed valve out a while ago and drilled 3 holes in the front to avoid that issue. From what I read thats a killer of these cars and makes many gremlins.
Thankfully mine was clean and maintained well.
I did run the hvac and sprayed some 'stuff' in there and its fresh as a spring breeze.....
Again, thanks for the intel.
I punched my reed valve out a while ago and drilled 3 holes in the front to avoid that issue. From what I read thats a killer of these cars and makes many gremlins.
Thankfully mine was clean and maintained well.
I did run the hvac and sprayed some 'stuff' in there and its fresh as a spring breeze.....
Again, thanks for the intel.
