C&C: Foul smell during acceleration is normal

[Guest manmerlion]

Yes, that was what the SA at Eunos Service Centre told me, after consulting his workshop manager.

Quite some time ago, I posted about sulphuric smell in my car whenever I accelerated. I finally got around to sending the car to C&C for diagnosis. Went for a test-drive with the SA. He revved the car until the smell came out. He said it was the first time he encountered such a problem, said he had to check with his workshop manager.

A few hours later, he called to inform me that there is nothing wrong with my ride. According to his workshop manager, it is normal for the foul smell during acceleration (3000-4000 rpm). He advised me to turn off the air circulation mode to mitigate the smell.

This morning, I did as advised. No foul smell! But I have a new smell now. It's exhaust smell from the vehicles in front. Sigh....

Bros, please advise. Is it normal to have foul smell during acceleration? Should I seek second opinion from another service centre? Thanks

[Guest markcwq]

Have been driving my car for more than 6 months now, always with the air circulation on. Never smelt anything out of the ordinary before. Doesn't turning on the air circulation mean that no foreign smell is suppose to enter the system?

[Guest Cklasse]

What car are you driving? It is true that it's normal to get the smell for A and B class when accelerated hard.

[Guest manmerlion]

My ride is same as yours, C180K. Mine is coming to six months.

The advice about turning off the air circulation mode got me stumped. Like you, I thought it was supposed to keep outside smell from entering the cabin.

Hmm... maybe the workshop did fix my car's problem but refused to tell me what they did, to avoid liability. Maybe the air filter was missing in the first place. Ha...ha...

[Guest markcwq]

Probably, might want to try driving with the air circulation turned on, if not it just defeats having such a system fitted to the car, especially a Merc.

[Guest Odessus]

My car's air circulation automatically disables after about 20 minutes of use. Anyone else's system is similar? I find it quite irritating.

[Guest nightfly]

Probably' date=' might want to try driving with the air circulation turned on, if not it just defeats having such a system fitted to the car, especially a Merc.[/quote']

I think markcwq has a good suggestion.

Throughout my 3 years with my pre FL C180K and 2 months with my C180 coupe I've never experienced such a smell and I start off every journey with the air re-circulation turned on. Nowhere in the user manual says that such a smell is to be expected if you drive with the vents closed so to me it is an unacceptable answer.

[Guest nightfly]

My car's air circulation automatically disables after about 20 minutes of use. Anyone else's system is similar? I find it quite irritating.

This is the normal factory default "safety" setting. It was irritating initially but somehow I got used to it and just press the re-circulate button whenever my nose detects that it has gone off.

[Guest Odessus]

My car's air circulation automatically disables after about 20 minutes of use. Anyone else's system is similar? I find it quite irritating.

This is the normal factory default "safety" setting. It was irritating initially but somehow I got used to it and just press the re-circulate button whenever my nose detects that it has gone off.

MB must be really afraid we love our cars too much and spend too much time in the car until we die of carbon monoxide overdose. Hahaha...

[Guest io5885]

Pre FL C200K

My air circulation goes off after 30mins exactly. Temp set at 22 deg C.

I used to get the foul smell after revving to 4-4500rpm for 2-3 secs when i enter into expressway.

The SA at pandan loop got the mechanics to twist and turn the exhaust, after commenting its design flaw.

The smell got a bit lesser and finally gone one day... after i saw a TP on the bridge of the expressway.

[Guest Odessus]

Pre FL C200K

My air circulation goes off after 30mins exactly. Temp set at 22 deg C.

I used to get the foul smell after revving to 4-4500rpm for 2-3 secs when i enter into expressway.

The SA at pandan loop got the mechanics to twist and turn the exhaust, after commenting its design flaw.

The smell got a bit lesser and finally gone one day... after i saw a TP on the bridge of the expressway.

Haha... So the simple solution to the foul smell problem is to see a TP on the bridge of the expressway?

[Guest angchug]

Yes the air circulation only last for 20 mins for B and C class. I am not sure about E class. My neighbour E class only lasted for 10 mins.

[Guest io5885]

Yes the air circulation only last for 20 mins for B and C class. I am not sure about E class. My neighbour E class only lasted for 10 mins.

I tink the timing may be determined by the temp set and whether a/c is on auto mode or manual mode.

I tink..

[Guest markcwq]

Read somewhere that the system actually calculates the oxygen level before switching the air circulation system off. Don't know how true it is.

[Guest angchug]

I am driving a B170 and I am getting the smell, however it's intermittent. No choice but to live with it.

[Guest blackmercs]

This air con smelly thingy previously bugging B & C class owner for many years. As for the auto air circulation mostly are E class 5 speed CGI model. Let me starts of with air con smelly thingy. To get rid of it before shutting down the engine turn the air con & fan at max for 5 mins. Do this couple of times its shld solve it. But some couldn't get rid of it including changing of filter etc. Most of them sell off their car eventually .

E class auto circulation last only 10 mins or so. Is irritating for some due to city driving where lorry infront of you giving out black smoke etc. Why 10mins is due to safety reason. Some went back to See&See manage to get them to set slightly longer like 20 mins or so. Till today none of them complaining on this issue in the forum.

As of today, my C class has no smelly air con & auto circulation can last 30 mins. 30 mins is good enough for me to reach from point A to B. My previous CLC has smelly air con issue & my E is the auto circulation issue which really piss me off.

[manmerlion]

Last week, I went to C&C Alexandra and requested to test drive a C180K. With the SE beside me, I drove the car hard with air circulation mode switched on. Guess what! The foul smell came out! My colleague in the rear seat was the first to complain about the smell. So, the C&C workshop manager was right. The smell is stronger from the rear.

Anyway, it seems to me that this foul smell is an inherent problem of FL C180K.

Sigh...

[mercbumpkin]

Last week, I went to C&C Alexandra and requested to test drive a C180K. With the SE beside me, I drove the car hard with air circulation mode switched on. Guess what! The foul smell came out! My colleague in the rear seat was the first to complain about the smell. So, the C&C workshop manager was right. The smell is stronger from the rear.

Anyway, it seems to me that this foul smell is an inherent problem of FL C180K.

Sigh...

Pre-FL also same problem, can only say live with it.

[vogel]

Yup my FL180K smells too initially but after 6 months, dont really find the foul smell anymore or probably got used to it HaHa!

[manmerlion]

Yup my FL180K smells too initially but after 6 months, dont really find the foul smell anymore or probably got used to it HaHa!

I read somewhere that sulphuric smell is an indication the catalytic converter is working fine. As the converter ages, the smell becomes less pronounced. I hope that's the case for my ride, which is 9 month-old.

[cwk1000]

Hi.. I have the same problem, but maybe a little different...for my c180 BE while I'm driving around 100km/h a kind of burning smell on and off.. When the cnc SA told me they can't smell anything and can't go such speed to test..

Can anyone help..THANKs

[vogel]

I read somewhere that sulphuric smell is an indication the catalytic converter is working fine. As the converter ages, the smell becomes less pronounced. I hope that's the case for my ride, which is 9 month-old.

Oh thats why maybe my smell disappear cause half of my catalytic converter (did a minor mod on my exhaust) is taken out last month.

[mercbumpkin]

Oh thats why maybe my smell disappear cause half of my catalytic converter (did a minor mod on my exhaust) is taken out last month.

Wow operated cat on top =p

[manmerlion]

Hi.. I have the same problem, but maybe a little different...for my c180 BE while I'm driving around 100km/h a kind of burning smell on and off.. When the cnc SA told me they can't smell anything and can't go such speed to test..

Can anyone help..THANKs

When I sent my car to C&C Eunos workshop, the SA drove my car fast and furious. Within a few seconds, the foul smell came out. You might want to try another service centre.

[cwk1000]

When I sent my car to C&C Eunos workshop, the SA drove my car fast and furious. Within a few seconds, the foul smell came out. You might want to try another service centre.

Hi bro, after you send to cnc eunos workshop and tested with his fast and furious skill...what is the finding and did they slove the problem..many thanks