SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: My 2007 SL smells like cat piss!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
SL 550
My 2007 SL smells like cat ****!
I definitely have a problem!
When I drive my SL in the rain (like real rain, not just a sprinkle) for an hour or two, something is getting wet up inside the car. Because about 48 hours later, my interior smells just like a cat crawled in the car and took a big ol' pee in there! In fact, it's so bad and so much like cat ****, my current wife thought that maybe my ex-wife came over and dumped cat pee in the car in the middle of the night. (My ex is kind of bat sh*t crazy, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities!) But it's not her, I'm sure.
Worse part is it takes like 30 days to dry out and go away. I immediately changed the cabin air filters (not it) and have been desperately trying to figure this out. I am assuming that it's either the spray under the car that is coming in through a broken cover/seal of some kind or one of the air intakes is pulling moisture in and it is creating mold. Given how overwhelming it is, I don't think it's just a few drops!
Any body have this problem!? (not with the ex, with the car - I know lots have the ex problem).
Any advice is very much appreciated. Damn cats...
When I drive my SL in the rain (like real rain, not just a sprinkle) for an hour or two, something is getting wet up inside the car. Because about 48 hours later, my interior smells just like a cat crawled in the car and took a big ol' pee in there! In fact, it's so bad and so much like cat ****, my current wife thought that maybe my ex-wife came over and dumped cat pee in the car in the middle of the night. (My ex is kind of bat sh*t crazy, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities!) But it's not her, I'm sure.
Worse part is it takes like 30 days to dry out and go away. I immediately changed the cabin air filters (not it) and have been desperately trying to figure this out. I am assuming that it's either the spray under the car that is coming in through a broken cover/seal of some kind or one of the air intakes is pulling moisture in and it is creating mold. Given how overwhelming it is, I don't think it's just a few drops!
Any body have this problem!? (not with the ex, with the car - I know lots have the ex problem).
Any advice is very much appreciated. Damn cats...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 314
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From: Malibu, Ca
SL65, 427 COBRA (CSX-3127)73 911S, 246GTS (DINO SPYDER), CORNICHE,1962 PORSCHE TWIN GRILLE ROADSTER+
Google cat **** smell. Mercedes had a problem with glue smelling like CP
As I remember the Cat **** smell was when left in the sun...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
If it's wet rugs you should probably have it sterilized/detailed to kill the mold. If it's coming through the vents the dealer can spray the evaporator housing with a strong disinfectant called contracept. That is what I had done on my car. Stole this pics from another forum because I think we are not allowed to link from competitors. I would suggest getting the dealer to locate the leak as they may have more info on where it may be leaking from.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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SL 550
I have never been able to find any wet carpet anywhere! I have basically pulled the car apart (like a DEA agent searching for drugs) and I can't find any wet carpet (although I agree it sounds like a wet carpet kind of problem).
And to answer the other question, no I didn't buy it new. I bought it in '09 with 12,000 miles on it. However, this problem has only started in the last year or so.
And to answer the other question, no I didn't buy it new. I bought it in '09 with 12,000 miles on it. However, this problem has only started in the last year or so.
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Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 97
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From: Santa Rosa Cali
2006 sl55 030 option - sold
I think you should check heating and AC system like jonmbz suggested . See if you smell it coming out of the ducts After each rain.
Or try and duplicate it by spraying water on car with a hose.
Or try and duplicate it by spraying water on car with a hose.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 311
Likes: 3
2004.7 C180 Kompressor, BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro LT, Mercedes S, Cesna 152.
Q: What is it like after you have washed it? Do you get the same smell? You said you changed the cabin filters, have you changed the a/c filter under the hood?
Leaf's & debris caught in drain holes on various parts of the vehicle can partially block & become rotten causing weird smells also.
Try Liqui Moly Klima Fresh also, refer vid....
Leaf's & debris caught in drain holes on various parts of the vehicle can partially block & become rotten causing weird smells also.
Try Liqui Moly Klima Fresh also, refer vid....
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: Sweden
SL55AMG + SL600 + E320 + A180
Mercedes Benz New Car Odor
I will bet on the aircon too ….. but when talking about smells ….. my car is from 2003 and it smells still like a new car … it actually smells so good that home girl have some of her friends sticking their heads in for a quick smell 
….. …. makes me wonder if it’s possible to buy “Mercedes Benz New Car Odor” on a can …
….. …. makes me wonder if it’s possible to buy “Mercedes Benz New Car Odor” on a can …
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
2003 SL55 Klemman
I had this problem for a while before i figured it out. In my case water was leaking into the trunk and the grey foam stuff under the carpet was getting wet. You couldn't really open the trunk and smell it but with the car closed up overnight the smell would permeate the cabin.
Until i got the trunk leak fixed i would leave the rear trunk open and pull out whatever foam pieces that could be removed and let it all air out overnight. after drying out the foam could be put back in and there would be no smell.
Until i got the trunk leak fixed i would leave the rear trunk open and pull out whatever foam pieces that could be removed and let it all air out overnight. after drying out the foam could be put back in and there would be no smell.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 19
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e350
My 2007 SL smells like cat ****
Car smells like cat ****? mine too, it's an e350. Its a leak in the trunk. Check the gasket on the trunk lid itself. Mine smelled like ****, couldn't figure out why. After every rain storm I would have water in my spare tire well. Got tired of looking 'til the other day after it rained. Opened the trunk, where the latch mechanism is, water came out. Didn't ever think much of it really. Took off the plastic cover on the base of the trunk lid, six or eight torx screws, and followed the leak up the side of the trunk. Come to find out, where the upper trunk panel connects to the lower trunk panel(on the underside of trunk) there is a 1" X 3" rubber gasket that prevents the water from running between the two panels, subsequently allowing water to penetrate into the trunk. I couldn't order the gasket, MB parts man tells me "it's made into the trunk", BS, because I can see where it tore off, or the adhesive let go. Going to use foam rubber gasket but would like to replace with original equipment. if I could figure out how to upload the photo, I could show you better. Good Luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
Q: What is it like after you have washed it? Do you get the same smell? You said you changed the cabin filters, have you changed the a/c filter under the hood?
Leaf's & debris caught in drain holes on various parts of the vehicle can partially block & become rotten causing weird smells also.
Try Liqui Moly Klima Fresh also, refer vid....
http://youtu.be/f9dw5mNi7vs
Leaf's & debris caught in drain holes on various parts of the vehicle can partially block & become rotten causing weird smells also.
Try Liqui Moly Klima Fresh also, refer vid....
http://youtu.be/f9dw5mNi7vs
Does this work for SMELLY air when I have regular vent AFTER turning off the AC? The air appears fine when AC is one, and only when I turn it off does it smell funky. Thx in advance from anyone who's used this product.
PL
