Smelly a/c

[JHS]

When starting my S205, there is a nasty smell from the air vents.
Anyone know the best way to fumigate the ventilation/heating system?
TIA.

 

[TC350]

I had my A/C "refreshed" by MB last year when the car was in for its service. The car was 10 years old then so I decided to spend £29 on its birthday present. I've no idea what the process was but it may be worth asking your dealership.

 

[zipdip]

Have a look at the cabin filters

 

[W1ghty]

I would fit a new pollen filter and use an aircon cleaner like these

2 x Granville Pro Air Con Cleaner Odour Bomb Purifier Air Conditioning Freshener | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2 x Granville Pro Air Con Cleaner Odour Bomb Purifier Air Conditioning Freshener at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[johnsco]

I had this problem a couple of years ago with the E280 Estate.
I used this stuff from Euro Car Parts to bomb it:
TRIPLE QX Aircon Sanitizer 150 542772970 £3.79
It smelled vile.
Problem is the smell lingered and still was a problem 12 months later.
It was worse than the original smell.
NOT RECOMMENDED !

Yes - Of course I changed the Cabin Filter.

 

[JHS]

Thanks guys. Filter already on order and will order the bombs!

 

[JHS]

Right, ordered a filter for under the bonnet. Straight forward to fit,rectangular filter.
how to on youtube shows a filter in the cabin,rectangular with a corner cut off.
My question is,is this on the UK passenger side or drivers side?
The how to vids are usually made by furriners whot do drive on the wrong side!

 

[noogieman]

Air con bombs like MOAB doesn't work, it's only a temporary fix.

Motip has an AC cleaning spray think it's called Air Co or something?
This is the good stuff!

 

[JHS]

Air con bombs like MOAB doesn't work, it's only a temporary fix.

Motip has an AC cleaning spray think it's called Air Co or something?
This is the good stuff!

Ordered the bombs and if they do not work I will go to -plan B and try it.

 

[noogieman]

Ordered the bombs and if they do not work I will go to -plan B and try it.

When you are inside your car, do you have a stale smell in the cabin with the doors closed and car not started?

MOAB's only work temporary, fragrance from bombs will vanish quite fast it won't help you very much.
You don't want chemicals masking lingering odor.

People try different stuff like white vinegar in a bowl put on cabin floor for 24 hours, it will stink up for some time then vanish.
Unfortunately it doesn't always work with vinegar either.

Ozone machine is another thing but could damage the interior.

You should visit an AC specialist

 

[W1ghty]

When you are inside your car, do you have a stale smell in the cabin with the doors closed and car not started?

MOAB's only work temporary, fragrance from bombs will vanish quite fast it won't help you very much.
You don't want chemicals masking lingering odor.

People try different stuff like white vinegar in a bowl put on cabin floor for 24 hours, it will stink up for some time then vanish.
Unfortunately it doesn't always work with vinegar either.

Ozone machine is another thing but could damage the interior.

You should visit an AC specialist

Anti bacteria bombs , deal with the bacteria and recirculate through the air con system killing bacteria .
But yes as you say , fragrance thingys just cover stuff up for a while

 

[noogieman]

Found this chemical searching on Goebbels
Has anyone tried this odor eliminator Spray 420
It seem to get good reviews??

Spray 420 The World's Strongest Odor Eliminator

Spray 420 is the world's strongest odor eliminator which fuses a dry aerosol spray with the scent of fresh linen to stop all odors fast.

spray420.com

 

[MrGreedy]

If you are getting a bad smell, as others had alluded to, this is essentially because the hvac system is wet and not hostile enough such that bacteria can thrive in the hvac.

This usually means either:
The car only gets used for short journeys; or,

The aircon/hvac isn't turned on all the time (some people drive around with it off/blower on zero); or,

As above due to aircon being broken; or,

The drain is blocked/partially blocked, and is retaining too much moisture.

Basically, all causes are too much moisture in the system, but no.3 & 4 have to be resolved by sorting out the faulty system/drain block.

It terms of treatment (assuming no blocked, or blockage resolved, or aircon fixed), then aircon bomb/using the aircon will over time sort the issue. I've also found it very effective (assuming you don't do short journeys) running the hvac on highest temp setting plus good fan speed for a couple of weeks ans driving round with the widows cracked a bit/open. Totally manageable when the temps are a bit lower outside, as they are not. The hot environment really dries out the hvac, thus eliminating the environment the bacteria love.

 

[JHS]

If you are getting a bad smell, as others had alluded to, this is essentially because the hvac system is wet and not hostile enough such that bacteria can thrive in the hvac.

This usually means either:
The car only gets used for short journeys; or,

The aircon/hvac isn't turned on all the time (some people drive around with it off/blower on zero); or,

As above due to aircon being broken; or,

The drain is blocked/partially blocked, and is retaining too much moisture.

Basically, all causes are too much moisture in the system, but no.3 & 4 have to be resolved by sorting out the faulty system/drain block.

It terms of treatment (assuming no blocked, or blockage resolved, or aircon fixed), then aircon bomb/using the aircon will over time sort the issue. I've also found it very effective (assuming you don't do short journeys) running the hvac on highest temp setting plus good fan speed for a couple of weeks ans driving round with the widows cracked a bit/open. Totally manageable when the temps are a bit lower outside, as they are not. The hot environment really dries out the hvac, thus eliminating the environment the bacteria love.

Thanks for that.
Only No.4 applies to me so will google a/c drain blocked.

 

[MrGreedy]

On the E class, the drain output is somewhere above/near the gearbox, accessible from under the car. A good poke around up the drain hole with some stiff wire might free it up. To accelerate the drying process, use the hvac on max with windows down on a long drive.

 

[JHS]

On the E class, the drain output is somewhere above/near the gearbox, accessible from under the car. A good poke around up the drain hole with some stiff wire might free it up. To accelerate the drying process, use the hvac on max with windows down on a long drive.

Many thanks. I was afraid of that as my days of crawling under cars have long passed. A job for the gsrsge next time I visit.

 

[W1ghty]

On the E class, the drain output is somewhere above/near the gearbox, accessible from under the car. A good poke around up the drain hole with some stiff wire might free it up. To accelerate the drying process, use the hvac on max with windows down on a long drive.

Damn it , I might have to try and find mine at some point…..I’ll add it to the list for warmer weather .

 

[slade1]

Once sorted use the AC all the time ,summer and winter and you won't have any more problems.

 

[JHS]

Once sorted use the AC all the time ,summer and winter and you won't have any more problems.

I do,which is why this smell is so annoying.
Still not sure where the interior filter is located.

 

[slade1]

I do,which is why this smell is so annoying.
Still not sure where the interior filter is located.

Try youtube, may find location