Where is the air intake for the AC/heat/vent etc on a 98 E320 wagon? I occasionally get some musty odors when the fan is turned on. Does anyone have any experience with BG Frigi Clean or other spray in duct deodorizers?

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David
Tucson, AZ

98 E320 Wagon 66K
00 BMW 323i Sedan 38K
93 Volvo 945T 100K DECEASED 4/18/03 R.I.P.

Under the wipers at the cowling.

Is the car sitting for periods of time?

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Thanks, I thought it was there, but wanted to make sure. The car is a daily driver. I did some surfing and got the idea for the Frigi Clean. Some say Lysol or Ozium work well also.

According to the comments I read this is caused by moisture remaining in the AC condenser? The best way to beat this is shut off your AC a mile or so before you shut the engine off so it can dry out? It is 100 plus here throughout the summer. Shutting it off for a while is not always an option. But it seems to help also. The situation can be worsened by a clogged or kinked condensation drain?

I'm just regurgitating what I read, not claiming it's gospel. I am not an expert. Whatever the case my car stinks from time to time. I've noticed the same smell in many cars, but it seems to go away after the ventilation system is on for a few minutes. My car will stink upon starting the fan, AC or not, the smell will go away and return from time to time while driving. The charcoal filter helps. I just replaced the pollen filters too.

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David
Tucson, AZ

98 E320 Wagon 66K
00 BMW 323i Sedan 38K
93 Volvo 945T 100K DECEASED 4/18/03 R.I.P.

Moisture remains on the evaporator not the condenser.

there are a number of manufacturers that have added circuitry to the car making the inside blower stay on for various time intervals after the compressor (or car) is shut off.

There are various ways to get disinfectant to the source of your problem. THe very best I have used is sold by Toyota. It is an aerosol that is sprayed into the drain hoses under the car. It goes in and foams all inside the evaporator housing. It lasts for about 20 minutes and then the foam condenses back to a liquid and drains back out. I did it to my wifes ML when it was two years old and the problem has never reappeared (Florida is the worst for such problems). I was a little worried as the car smelled of Ammonia when I drove it home. I asked her about the smell a week later and she had never smelled the Ammonia. I never did again and the new car smell has endured (original owner 1998 ML320 32k miles).

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks Steve,
I sprayed some Lysol citrus stuff into the intake with the fan going, no AC, and it cleared things up for now. I'll guess this is a short term fix. Car smells great now. I will try to find some of the Toyota cleaner tomorrow if I can escape my desk. I spray it into the evaporator drain under the car correct? Can you give me some help on where exactly to look? I want to get the correct drain the first time.

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David
Tucson, AZ

98 E320 Wagon 66K
00 BMW 323i Sedan 38K
93 Volvo 945T 100K DECEASED 4/18/03 R.I.P.