It doesn't smell too bad, but it is noticable. (A/C blows cold, seems okay.) I'm thinking it may be the dryer area needs to be cleaned out. I'm not sure what/where the rcve-dryer is, so cleaning it is not yet possible/likely. Please help me w/ a brief and elemantary walk-thru on this.

Hi,
When was the last time you changed the cabin air filter?
Joe

Now THAT'S making some sense! (far more than my juvenile summation) To be honest, I don't know that such a filter has EVER been replaced. It's my spouse's car, and she's had it since before we got back together. Please clue me in, as to this user-doable(I hope) filter change. What other simple(?) servicing can be easily done? She says the 1-owner, 55,000-mile SUV is a bit OVERDUE for service, so I plan to take it in for oil/filter srvice. Beyond that I'm at a loss and want to avoid being gouged at an overpriced dealership. THANK YOU.

You remove the cover under the passenger footwell by removing 2 screws and bringing the cover down gently. The 12v acc socket is in the cover too so be careful. Next, there is a filter cover to remove under the cover you just removed. The filter cover comes down after pushing a tab (towards the rear of the car?) that releases the cover. Then, you pull the filter down and out.

There are better instructions on the board here that you can search for but it is a 5 minute job that will cost about $20 for the filter. Airflow is from the door to the center console.
Joe

THX! Joe. So to do this job, should I be ready to get myself upside-down in the psgr seat (i.e.: head on the floor)? I can still manage such contortions, but want to have all my ducks in a row prior to tackling it. Where to buy such a replacement filter? I TRULY appreciate your support in this.

I was able to remove and sniff this filter, and it was NOT the stinky one!! I cleaned it- it was dusty and a bit gritty- but NOT the smelly one.

Ive put that underdash area back together and have run the car w/ AC on full-blast, for 10 minutes. Its only like 65 and low-humidity out, and theres no dripping from undercarriage, AT ALL. Also, I have not noticed ANY FUNK, since I half-assed cleaned that underdash filter, though the filter element did NOT smell at all, nor did it show ANY signs of having been damp.

I'll start a new thread "ML430 AC drain", as it seems that COULD be the problem, though I see no signs of moisture collecting anywhere. .

The cabin filter contains charcoal, it's purpose is to remove odors. The charcoal depletes with time and cleaning the old filter is not the solution. Replacement filters are available at good after market sources, such as this forum provider, and even Napa sells them. About $25 bucks, once a year, should do it.

If the filter gets really dirty and blows out, dirt and pollen will collect on the evaporator and give you that moldy smell You may be able spray some AC cleaner in through the filter hole and knock most of that out.

Regards,

Jim in Phoenix