W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Bizarre solution to "Rotten Egg Smell" in cabin

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2017 | 02:16 AM
  #1  
Island_Moose's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
2007 E63 AMG
Bizarre solution to "Rotten Egg Smell" in cabin

Recently started to notice rotten egg smell coming through vents, particularly after starting the engine.

"Crap, what is it?" I asked myself..."bad fuel"?...but that would mean an exhaust leak in the engine bay...somewhere near the cabin air filter....

"Bad catalytic converter?"...again...an exhaust leak...exhaust itself DOES NOT smell.

What about hydrogen sulphide? OMG my battery is exploding!!....nope...that's out back in the boot...and it's fine


So what's close to the cabin air filter?.....well.....there's the cap for the windscreen washer fluid....but that just water and soap and it can't be....


OH MY F-ING GOD!!!! I popped the cap off the windscreen fluid reservoir and took a whiff!!



It smelled like a thousand rotting eggs...

I don't know why, because I go through the stuff pretty regularly, but the no-name washer fluid I've been using and the water itself had gone septic.

I drained the fluid completely by using a long tube and the sprayer-trigger from a spray bottle...then I filled it with boiling water and a cup of bleach. I let that sit for a while, then used my hose to flush it for 30 minutes.

I filled it with clean water and a teaspoon of bleach.

Unreal...of all the things that I would not have expected.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2017 | 11:00 AM
  #2  
FunkTron's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 432
Likes: 34
From: Sandy Eggo
2006 CLS55
Interesting. I know some plastics decompose and have a terrible smell to them.
I wonder if the reservoir had a reaction with the windshield fluid?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2017 | 02:25 PM
  #3  
Blade Canyon's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 200
Likes: 27
2012 E63 AMG
I'll remember that one if it ever happens to me, thanks.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2017 | 04:19 PM
  #4  
hachiroku's Avatar
SPONSOR
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 818
From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
there might be a possibility something may have fallen into your vents. i would recommend changing your HVAC filter in your engine bay as well as the one under your glove box. also, Hydrogen Peroxide would probably be a better cleaner than bleach as it does not have a smell. It also is a disinfectant.

i'd follow up with pouring hydrogen peroxide wherever you feel could have odor, then follow up with some Klima Cleaner to clean out your interior vents.


__________________
-BARRY

​​​Follow us on instagram @eightysixtuned
https://www.eightysixtuned.com
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2017 | 10:05 PM
  #5  
rapidoxidation's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,761
Likes: 891
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Originally Posted by hachiroku
there might be a possibility something may have fallen into your vents. i would recommend changing your HVAC filter in your engine bay as well as the one under your glove box. also, Hydrogen Peroxide would probably be a better cleaner than bleach as it does not have a smell. It also is a disinfectant.

i'd follow up with pouring hydrogen peroxide wherever you feel could have odor, then follow up with some Klima Cleaner to clean out your interior vents.


so... Did you read his post? All the way through?
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2017 | 01:20 AM
  #6  
Island_Moose's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
2007 E63 AMG
Most definitely not the HVAC system, new filter, just cleaned ducting last month.

Trust me, it was the washer fluid reservoir, I gagged when I smelled it.

I think they they might be heated, which could have caused the cleaner fluid to react?
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2017 | 11:03 AM
  #7  
hachiroku's Avatar
SPONSOR
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 818
From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
oops...sorry just skimmed through. glad you resolved the issue.
__________________
-BARRY

​​​Follow us on instagram @eightysixtuned
https://www.eightysixtuned.com
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:41 PM.

story-0
10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

Slideshow: These estates prove you don't need extra ride height to have performance, style, and everyday usability.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-23 14:16:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-4
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE