A/C Odor

[G Man]

Today I noticed a very musty / solvent type odor coming from my AC. The air conditioner seems to be functioning properly, and cooling very well. I visually checked the engine compartment and everything seems to be in order. Any ideas on the cause?

 

[gsxr]

Can you provide more info? Specifically, do you notice the odor:

a) all the time, regardless of AC or temperature?
b) only when using AC?
c) only when first driving the car the day after using the AC?

I have experienced option "C" in a couple of my cars but not my E500. Still haven't found a cure though.

 

[G Man]

Can you provide more info? Specifically, do you notice the odor:

a) all the time, regardless of AC or temperature?
b) only when using AC?
c) only when first driving the car the day after using the AC?

I have experienced option "C" in a couple of my cars but not my E500. Still haven't found a cure though.

B

 

[gerryvz]

This is actually a pretty common occurrence with A/C systems, particularly in humid climates. Basically you have smelly microbes growing in the system, and when you first turn it on, the smell is blown into the cabin. Usually just running the system will quickly rid the smell. If it gets really bad, there are chemical remedies available that are sprayed into the air intake for the ACC system that will kill the bacteria making the smell.

My wife's 95 124 wagon has this condition slightly, but not bad enough to make me treat it yet. It seems rather intermittent, and when the system is used regularly / daily, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Only when the car sits for a few days and things have a chance to grow in the condensation, does the smell seem to pop up.

My two cents.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[T-500]

I have a similar problem, but I would describe it more as a "dirty socks" smell.

Is it the same thing, do you think?

Maybe we have different microbes.