WhiteRabbit

Posts: 368

Country:

Thanks: 80

Thanked 35 Times in 23 Posts

I replaced the cabin ACC filter in my SLK today. Even though my USA 06 SLK 280 only has the base climate system (not the digitial one) it still had an activated charcoal filter installed. The new filter (Mann) actually came with instructions, just pictures, no text. The images are low resolution and fuzzy.
There are couple of things to watch for:
First - to release the wire-harness connector from the power outlet, you pull the connector sideways not straight back from the outlet.
Second - after you install the filter but before putting the under-dash panel back on, start the engine and put the AC fan on high. Now check around the filter housing. There should be no air leaking from the housing at all (thanks to Dan for the tip). Getting the filter housing cover seated just right took me 3 - 4 tries before there was no air blowing out of the housing.

__________________
2009 SLK 350, Arctic White, Gullwing Red, 7G Automatic, Premium PKG I, Lighting, Heating packages, Auto Climate Control, smartTop roof module v3.22, Clear side-marker lenses.

jbanks15

Posts: 684

Country:

Thanks: 8

Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts

great! how about some pictures? btw, per my manual, passenger compartment replace combination filter at 26000 miles or 2 years. how many miles do you have? it should have been taken care of as part of your scheduled maintenance unless you are not at 26000 miles/2 yrs yet or unless 280 model does not have this maintenance schedule.

__________________
Jeff
2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black
Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages
Clearshield Protective Film
OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen
Eurolight Clear Side Markers
Smarttop version 3.22
Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

mtiede

Posts: 1,645

Thanks: 101

Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts

I wonder if that filter is causing the stink I smell when the A/C is coming on now that the weather is warming up. Think changing it might help?

DansSlk

Posts: 6,752

Country:

Thanks: 96

Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts

What sort of smell is it mate?

The dealer has some spray gunk we set the car to a cleaning mode plug the unit in and seal up the car then this things fills the AC system with whats basically air freshener and after 30 minutes the car comes out smelling like a summer rose as it says on the tin.

Sometimes nasties get into the system and they start to smell the filters are normally OK but since the crap is downstream they do no good.

__________________

etyu

Posts: 5,280

Country:

Thanks: 377

Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts

I read somewhere that this may be caused by bacteria/mold that may have grown because of moisture in the channels that lead to the vents. The recommendation was to run heated (moderate heat near 100 degrees Fahrenheit) air for a while as this will kill the odor producing organisms.

I haven't noticed any smell from the AC but this may be a more common problem where there is more moisture in the ambient air based on location/geography.

__________________
Eddy

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package
Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, (
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

mtiede

Posts: 1,645

Thanks: 101

Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts

It smells like mold that has gotten wet (which is probably what it is). Would really like it if they actually had some way of removing whatever smells rather than "deodorizing" it.

I was hoping it was just something in a grungy filter that might be able to be replaced. Oh well...

412driver

Posts: 1,010

Country:

Thanks: 0

Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

I had a simular odor problem in a car. I removed the filter and sprayed a diluted bleach/water solution on it. Reinstalled for a week running system and then replaced the filter with new and the problem went away. As Dan says, there are probably other chemicals that smell better than bleach that will kill mold etc, but bleach works.

jbanks15

Posts: 684

Country:

Thanks: 8

Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts

you sure it is not New Jersey you are smelling?

__________________
Jeff
2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black
Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages
Clearshield Protective Film
OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen
Eurolight Clear Side Markers
Smarttop version 3.22
Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

412driver

Posts: 1,010

Country:

Thanks: 0

Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

depends on tha wind...

DansSlk

Posts: 6,752

Country:

Thanks: 96

Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts

I think this stuff does kill 'em but really they would strip the thing down and give the vents a good clean and all the rest of it but thats not very easy to do so we are told to spray it and that normally does the job fine but sometimes they do find it returns and then we clean it out.

Real PITA of a job to do.

__________________

mtiede

Posts: 1,645

Thanks: 101

Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts

I doubt I could smell even New Jersey from 500 to 600 miles away