Car interior stinks of mildew during startup/vents in use

[cycosis]

This only started a few weeks ago in the Benz. Each time I start the car and turn on the heat or AC, the car reeks fo mildew/mold :(

I have a new cabin filter on order. What else should I be looking at? I dont even want to drive the car right now....

[Disoblige]

Try AC vent cleaner if running the blower without AC on for 10-15 minutes doesn't work?

https://removeandreplace.com/2013/05/25/how-to-get-the-bad-smell-out-of-car-ac-vent-system-diy/

[vtec4life]

Could be the evaporator ? Common issue in newer BMW's.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Had this issue with my truck, have been spraying AC deodorizer I’m the cowl vent about once per week to try and clear out the evap core and drains.

[cycosis]

Is there a drain I can check to see if its blocked? It seems to only be really awful when running the heater, not the AC

[revelations]

Yea the W209 had this as a common issue. You need to run the heater on FULL BLAST for 5 minutes when the car is warmed up after driving - replace the cabin charcoal filter if you have one - also there is a mod to drill a hole in a specific place to allow some small amounts of fluid to come out.

Dont use recirc mode also,

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class-w209/442023-c-smells-like-musty-old-water-when-turned.html

[BavarianBeast]

Piss anyone off lately?

A little buck piss in the air vents does wonders to your enemies.

[cycosis]

Nope. We dont even use the car much anymore. My years of "spirited" driving and far behind me

[Mitsu3000gt]

Try to get in the habit of turning off the A/C ~5min from home and running the fan at a higher level until you park. I've been doing that in all my cars for years and have so far avoided any A/C related smells.