I have a CLK 320 Cab (2000 model), recently I have been getting a strong smell inthe car similar to rotting vegetation when it has been left overnight. (Yes, I checked and it is not the wife). I have cleaned all the dirt out from the inner front wings, but the smell persists. Somewhere in my memory I heard that when catalytic converters start to go they smell...any thoughts or advise welcome. Also, could it be caused by short journeys?
Stratman
MB Enthusiast
Catalytic convertors smell of rotten eggs. The gas is hydrogen sulphide and is more poisonous that cyanide 
Luckily the concentration we experience is not enough to kill us.
The smell you describe sounds more like a blocked air conditioning drain tube.
Buried behind the fascia is the A/C evaporator matrix where incoming air is cooled on its way into the cabin. Moisture in the air condenses on the evaporator for the same reason that water collects on windows on cold days. This water should drain away via a drain tube. On humid days a puddle can sometimes be seen under the car. If the drain is blocked then the water stagnates in the drip tray and squillions of smelly bacteria grow in it.
Find the tube outlet under the car and see if the end is blocked by mud or suchlike.
Luckily the concentration we experience is not enough to kill us.
The smell you describe sounds more like a blocked air conditioning drain tube.
Buried behind the fascia is the A/C evaporator matrix where incoming air is cooled on its way into the cabin. Moisture in the air condenses on the evaporator for the same reason that water collects on windows on cold days. This water should drain away via a drain tube. On humid days a puddle can sometimes be seen under the car. If the drain is blocked then the water stagnates in the drip tray and squillions of smelly bacteria grow in it.
Find the tube outlet under the car and see if the end is blocked by mud or suchlike.
grober
MB Master
charcoal cannister?
Other possibility is that your charcoal canister which is part of the evaporative system to mop up fumes from the petrol tank needs renewing.
Its normally behind the nearside front wing plastic arch liner. A pipe leads from the petrol tank at the rear to the cannister. Another pipe leads to the inlet manifold via some form of control valve to evacuate the cannister when the engine is running. They should be changed every 70k miles?? but this seldom happens. 
From the smell tho it sounds as if the aircon drain is a better bet 
Other possibility is that your charcoal canister which is part of the evaporative system to mop up fumes from the petrol tank needs renewing.
Its normally behind the nearside front wing plastic arch liner. A pipe leads from the petrol tank at the rear to the cannister. Another pipe leads to the inlet manifold via some form of control valve to evacuate the cannister when the engine is running. They should be changed every 70k miles?? but this seldom happens. From the smell tho it sounds as if the aircon drain is a better bet 
PJH
MB Enthusiast
Probably is the air-con bacteria.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15873&highlight=smell+aerosol
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=19590&highlight=carpet
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15873&highlight=smell+aerosol
Remove the footwell heater vent outlets and check that the rubber hoses are connected into the transmission tunnel.Stratman said:
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=19590&highlight=carpet
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Is it only since the snow? Or have you washed the car/intererior recently?
If so, it could be some water trapped in the interior. After we had the ML valetted there was an awful smell a few days later. We left windows slightly open whenever we could, and it eventually faded away.
Worth a thought if the other things highlighted in this thread are not the cause.
If so, it could be some water trapped in the interior. After we had the ML valetted there was an awful smell a few days later. We left windows slightly open whenever we could, and it eventually faded away.
Worth a thought if the other things highlighted in this thread are not the cause.
guydewdney
MB Enthusiast
often a similar smell is due to rotting vegitation at the bottom of the windscreen / top of wings (where the water runs from the windscreen down eitehr side of the engine bay)
clear out leaves under the bonnet hinges...
check air con drain tubes are clear..
run some of that air con cleaner stuff through the system (there a can of spray you get to kill off bacteria)
clear out leaves under the bonnet hinges...
check air con drain tubes are clear..
run some of that air con cleaner stuff through the system (there a can of spray you get to kill off bacteria)
guydewdney
MB Enthusiast
cats smell different - and its from the exhaust....
lift mats and check for damp under them (and even under that if you can lift it a bit..)
leave car running for ages with heaters on max / leave a heater blowing into the car (if you have a garage) to dry it out?
replace cabin filter(s) (in fact thats one of the first things...) if you cant get a new one - just remove it for a day or two...
lift mats and check for damp under them (and even under that if you can lift it a bit..)
leave car running for ages with heaters on max / leave a heater blowing into the car (if you have a garage) to dry it out?
replace cabin filter(s) (in fact thats one of the first things...) if you cant get a new one - just remove it for a day or two...
