my W222 cabin smells like feet - help!
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W222
my W222 cabin smells like feet - help!
Hi
I have a pre-facelift S350.
For three years now when I do a hard turn, or any aggressive movement with the car, I get a sudden musty smell in the cabin - it smells like feet/old socks! The smell is gone quickly but it is very annoying.
I did spill some powder in the boot (building materials) about three years ago, and suspected that this powder had gotten into the cabin/vents somehow - however is this even possible if the boot has no vents or air connectivity to the cabin?
I noticed recently when I hoovered the boot again aggressively and had the auxiliary battery in there replaced, the smell became a bit worse in the cabin.
I did get a third party to use one of those air con cleaners and change the cabin filter about a year ago - but this didn't make any difference.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I have a pre-facelift S350.
For three years now when I do a hard turn, or any aggressive movement with the car, I get a sudden musty smell in the cabin - it smells like feet/old socks! The smell is gone quickly but it is very annoying.
I did spill some powder in the boot (building materials) about three years ago, and suspected that this powder had gotten into the cabin/vents somehow - however is this even possible if the boot has no vents or air connectivity to the cabin?
I noticed recently when I hoovered the boot again aggressively and had the auxiliary battery in there replaced, the smell became a bit worse in the cabin.
I did get a third party to use one of those air con cleaners and change the cabin filter about a year ago - but this didn't make any difference.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Last edited by ashorthaul; Apr 16, 2025 at 11:14 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,828
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
I had an W220 S600 years ago that smelled horrible. It took me a couple years to realize it was clogged suroof vents. See if your suroof drain tubes are clear or not. The easiest way is to find the outlet under the car and blow compressed air up. Also, clean air comes through the cowling under the hood and through the firewall to the cabin. Sometimes water can get trapped and form a murky pool of dirty water. Not sure of the terminology in your country, but it's the cowling in the US. The cabin filter would have been another guess, but you took care of that already.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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It is either the clogged drains or the HVAC mentioned, there was a lawsuit for a moldy smell: https://www.lieffcabraser.com/defect...-benz-ac-mold/
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 975
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From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
While not a common problem with modern MBs (they have an evap dry routine), have the evaporator drains cleaned and the the evap filled with neutralizing foam, change filter and odor should be resolved.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 603
Likes: 275
From: NYC
S63, GLE580, BV250
Blast the heat at its highest temp, highest velocity, windows down for a good 15min to get as much of the mildew out of the hoses as possible.
When running air-con, try to make it a habit to turn off the AC function 5-10 min before arriving and shutting the car off. This will bring the hoses up to ambient temp and reduce moisture buildup inside.
When running air-con, try to make it a habit to turn off the AC function 5-10 min before arriving and shutting the car off. This will bring the hoses up to ambient temp and reduce moisture buildup inside.
Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 79
Likes: 30
From: www.bosico.nl
W222 400D 4-matic
Same problem here. Cleaned the evaporator in compliance with MB rules and regulations twice now and..still that smell. Checked all drains miticiously and there's no intrusion or standing water. Might it be just plain mould in the airtubes?
Would a Ozon-cleaner-device doing its thing a whole weekend help?
Would a Ozon-cleaner-device doing its thing a whole weekend help?
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Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 975
Likes: 270
From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
Ozone would help (but do note that it's destructive like UV).
What sort of climate are you in?
What sort of climate are you in?
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Member
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From: www.bosico.nl
W222 400D 4-matic
Its streetparked in The Netherlands, not in a parked garage. Changed the filters, did the charge yearly, all maintenance as MB required (and more) checked and confirmed that the panoramaroof 2 frontdrains work and idem the 2 wiperdrains. No wet carpets. No smell when opening a door. But like OP states, when cornering especially in city-driving i can defenately smell that odor. When on the highway there's hardly a problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 792
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Its streetparked in The Netherlands, not in a parked garage. Changed the filters, did the charge yearly, all maintenance as MB required (and more) checked and confirmed that the panoramaroof 2 frontdrains work and idem the 2 wiperdrains. No wet carpets. No smell when opening a door. But like OP states, when cornering especially in city-driving i can defenately smell that odor. When on the highway there's hardly a problem.
