2000 E430 model:

I am getting a moldy smell from my a/c system and the local shop here told me to first try a spray to kill the mold and bacteria. Tried that and the smell still remains.

The shop then says that probably the pollen air filter needs changing and that it is behind the glove box. I removed all visible screws inside the glove box, but am still unable to pull it out. Seems like it is still attached around the light fixture.

Anybody here knows how should I change this filter? Much thanks.

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-jerry-

Not only remove the 6 screws but the top of the glove box must be forced down away from the dash panel about 1/2" & then it will come out.

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I went an extra step to find the info for you. Below attached are instructions with pictures. Yours is a W210 I assume.

However I think you problem is beyond the filter. It seems the drainage is blocked and a pool of water stayed inside the system to breed germs etc. You ma want to make sure the drainage holes aren't block.

You can also run full heating with windows open, EC on and recirc on for about 15 minutes. I was told that this step will heat up the system to kill the germs.... I was also told that in future, the last 5 minutes before shutting down the engine, put EC on so the FAN will dry up the evaperator..

hoppe this help. Keep us posted!

Sorry cannot upload due to size. you got an email?

Thanks to the 2 kind souls for their replies to my predicament. I am still not able to remove the glove box even after removing the 6 screws and following the manual from Shek. The problem appears to be the top portion of the glove box that refuse to come down more than an eigth of an inch. I dare not pull it further down for fear of breaking the box and as a result am not able to pull the glove box out completely.

However, I took Shek's advise and turned off the a/c and let the fan run for the final 5 minutes of my trip. That seemed to help quite a bit as I no longer see a pool of water on the garage floor as before.

I bought a bottle of Clean-Air and sprayed it into the fresh air intake with the fan on high. That cleared up most of the musty smell. A week later I used another bottle of Lysol in the same intake, as Lysol is much cheaper than Clean-Air and it was also supposed to kill bacteria and mold. That worked! The smell is mostly gone now. I guess I will have to get Mercedes service to change the filter at my next B service, unless some kind soul here have a 'trick' he knows to remove the glove box that I am not aware of.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

-Jaycee-

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-jerry-

I don't have the 210 so I can't help. I only have the 220....

anyway for the A/C, the last trick is open all windows, turn on full heating for 15 minutes, than switch off heating and fan cool the system. This will basically kill every germs in the system... once the system has cool down a bit, you can have cold AC back on.

In my case, and as reported by others, it takes a disturbingly strong pull to remove the glove box. My technique is to use my forearm to pull on the full width of the glove box door. Even having removed the unit a couple of times I still cringe when doing it.

Good luck,

Peter