Air Con Smell .......

[crockers]

Maybe so... but once it does get to a point where it is smelly, you can't run in in Auto mode any more because it is impossible to stand the mouldy stench...

The bad smell comes-on after the aircon switches-off, and with the aircon cutting in and out the situation is just intolerable

I think you will find that in Auto mode the auto refers to air distribution (i.e. feet, screen, fan speed etc) not auto on or off. The A/C is on all the time.

 

[markjay]

Markjay that is the same problem I have. I went to Kwik Fit to have them cleanse the system for £20. It did improve things for a short wheile but the smell is back. Will be trying the Comma Cleaner today.

Not had the pollen filter changed yet, I think on thw W169 it involves removing the wiper arms, scuttle panel etc!



How much did MB charge to change the pollen filter?

I bought a Mahle cabin filter from Opie Oils online and installed it myself... on my w203 it is located on top of the battery in the engine compartment, and it is only a question of undoing two clips. Mine is the basic Termatic, I Understand however that on the more clever Thermotronic (I hope I got the spelling correctly...) there are two cabin filters so replacement is more complicated. I am happy I changed the filter as the car is now 4 years old and still had the original filter, though as said it did not actually resolve the problem.


Also, let me know how you get on with the Coma cleaner.

 

[travelininstyle]

I had my condenser replaced last year,under warranty,due to ac problems - there is sometimes a 'fishy' smell after you switched off the ac and just let normal air blow through the vents - still happens now,even after condenser replacement - and I use my ac regularly,so it not as if its stagnant.I was told by the MB service Manager that the condenser has a coating on it which can react with warm,moist air and that gave rise to the fishy smell - I have used de-bugging treatments,like the Comma,but it helps,but never really gets rid of the smell for good.

 

[npuk]

I bought a Mahle cabin filter from Opie Oils online and installed it myself... on my w203 it is located on top of the battery in the engine compartment, and it is only a question of undoing two clips. Mine is the basic Termatic, I Understand however that on the more clever Thermotronic (I hope I got the spelling correctly...) there are two cabin filters so replacement is more complicated. I am happy I changed the filter as the car is now 4 years old and still had the original filter, though as said it did not actually resolve the problem.

Also, let me know how you get on with the Coma cleaner.

Thanks, shame it is not so easy to change the pollen filter on the on the W169.

Used the Comma cleaner today. Air with the AC on smelt lemony fresh. I didnt try warmer air with the AC off as I thought I will let the cleaner that has gone in to the ducts and evaporator do its job overnight. Will see how it is through the next week.

For anyone else wanting the Comma cleaner it is cheaper on ebay than Halfords. Got mine from the seller below.
david.s.t items - Get great deals on Vehicle Parts Accessories items on eBay UK!

 

[reflexboy]

I have copy and pasted my post about this from September last year-Hope it helps:

Tell me-All you people with smelly AC-do you run it for long periods or all the time in recirculating mode? If you do there is your problem. The theory (and the book) says your AC will be cooler and more efficient in recirc mode as it is cooling already partially cooled air on recirculating mode, but all you are doing is recirculating stale air. AC also removes the mositure from the air. A lot of us turn on our AC when we are hot and sweaty. Sweat=mositure=removed by AC system. This 'sweat/moisture' then recirculates in the system and a build up of moisture within the AC system is an ideal breeding place for smelly bacteria. Shockingly, what you are really smelling is yourself. The AC specialist whom I dealt with yesterday said to use some of that spray then run your AC everytime you use your car for a month and do not use recirc unless vital (ie: manky old ford burning oil in front of you) Surprisingly, what a lot of people do not realise is that AC can be used in the winter even with the heaters on. In fact it is a good idea to do this to ensure the oil which is amalgamated with the gas keeps the compressor running well and all the rubber O ring seals supple to prevent leaks. He also said Mercs with the EC button rarely have smelly systems as when the EC button is pressed is is on a timer hence it goes off after a set period-1 to prevent you breathing stale air for too long and 2 to prevent smells due to moisture/bacteria. If you can afford the slight extra fuel consumption he said Mercs with the EC button can/should be running the AC all the time.

 

[npuk]

I use the AC all the time but never on recirculation mode.

 

[markjay]

This is great, but.... the question is, once we already have the smelly bacteria, how do we get rid of it?

 

[npuk]

So far so good smells not been back. I also topped up the system today using the below.

INTERDYNAMICS AUTO AIR CON R-134A REFRIGERANT 18OZ on eBay (end time 27-May-10 18:01:13 BST)

Interdynamics Europe - The AirCon Service in a Can!

 

[markjay]

Did the coma treatment today... car has strong smell of lemony detergent, not really pleasant but still better than the mouldy stench.

Not sure at this point if the washing-up-liquid smell just covers-up the previous stench, but hopefully the lemony smell will go away in a week or two and then I'll know for sure if it actually sorted the problem or just short-term hid it...

 

[npuk]

Thought I would post an update. The smell did start to come back a few weeks ago. The car went in for a service today and it was due a pollen filter change so had it done and no smell afterwards on the way home so it seems it was most likey to do with the filter, will see how it goes.

 

[markjay]

My update.... as said the Coma AirCon Refreshener helped reduce the mouldy smell, but did not eliminate it completely. The lemony smell persisted for a while, but it definitely did not give the car that 'New Car Fresh' smell as it says on the tin.... just a washing-up-liquid detergent smell.

I repeated this again a couple of weeks later, with same results - considerable reduction in stench, but some was still present.

I then decided to change tactics. I switched the aircon on normally (NOT in internal circulation mode), removed the cabin filter, and slowly sprayed half a can of domestic odour eliminator into the aitcon/heather cabin air intake.

That seems to have worked much better than the Comma AirCon Refreshener, as the bad odour has completely gone. Will let you know if it stays this way...

 

[npuk]

Mine has definately gone with the pollen filter change.