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Old car smell

Started by raueda1, 14 March 2019, 05:23 PM

raueda1

You know, that kind of vaguely mildewy smell that seems to be a feature in old German cars (and maybe others too, I dunno).  It's not strong or exactly unpleasant but quite distinct.  Interior is absolutely dry, it's not mildew from any recent leakage.  Is there a cure? 
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

irvine

DONT get rid of the old car smell....

Best smell in the world apart from e85 and going through a big power engine. Most car enthusiasts I know work hard to keep that old car smell.

Neil.

TJ 450

They always smell like that no matter what you do, it's a combination of all the materials used including the leather and seat materials.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

Diesel 617

Here is what I was planning to try in the 280SE, first stop water getting in, otherwise a deep clean will have been good practice. The other important part to replace is the horsehair. It gets brittle and makes a dusty mess and carries its own distinct scent.

Seal front and rear windshield corners on outside with silicone under gasket, across entire bottom.
Remove floor carpets and deep clean/ steam clean
Deep clean glued carpets, re-glue if needed
scrape off old flaking paint, then soap and water wash, hand dry
Reseal with por-15
Reinstall cleaned floor carpet.

The trunk will need the same procedure, in addition to replacing the trunk seal and tail light seals (still available)
X3 1980 300SD Blown Heads, trans -Retired
1980 450SEL Parted out/Scrap
1980 450SEL to Diesel Parted Out/Scrap
1979 280SE Euro Spec Cloth Seats Sold
1979 300CD Daily Driver - Sold


Inventory of w116 Parts
[url="https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff"]https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff[/url]

Peter

The smell reminds me of my Grandmother  :D

nathan

unless your carpets are filthy, id be careful with the steam clean. I had my excellent condition carpets steam cleaned as I had the interior out to replace a console. they went crunchy and completely lost their soft feel.  in the end I replaced the whole carpet interior as it was so unpleasant to me!
1979 116 6.9 #6436
2018 213 e63
2011 212 e63
2011 463 g55
2007 211 e500 wagen
1995 124 e320 cabriolet
1983 460 300gd
1981 123 280te

ptashek

Quote from: TJ 450 on 14 March 2019, 11:31 PM
They always smell like that no matter what you do

No, they don't. It's all the felt insulation that soaked up moisture over the years that causes these smells. Best way is to either get rid of it, like I did in my W116, or use an ozone generator to "fumigate" the car like I did with my W124.

Ozone generators are commonly used to sterilise AC systems. After 10 mins with an ozone generator in the cabin, my 280TE no longer smells like an old, wet dog.

Do it once a year, and life's good.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

raueda1

Quote from: ptashek on 16 March 2019, 11:11 AM
Quote from: TJ 450 on 14 March 2019, 11:31 PM
They always smell like that no matter what you do

No, they don't. It's all the felt insulation that soaked up moisture over the years that causes these smells. Best way is to either get rid of it, like I did in my W116, or use an ozone generator to "fumigate" the car like I did with my W124.

Ozone generators are commonly used to sterilise AC systems. After 10 mins with an ozone generator in the cabin, my 280TE no longer smells like an old, wet dog.

Do it once a year, and life's good.
Hmmmm...    Can you elaborate on which felt insulation exactly?  The pads under the floormats are dry as a bone and floor mats have been fully steamed cleaned.  Thx,
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

daantjie

This stuff, Damprid works pretty good, you can leave one in the trunk and one on the floor in the cabin  Just  make sure to keep it secure and upright:

https://www.amazon.com/DampRid-Moisture-Absorber-Activated-Charcoal/dp/B01B6N3SP8/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=damprid&qid=1552762885&s=gateway&sr=8-9

Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

ptashek

QuoteHmmmm...    Can you elaborate on which felt insulation exactly?  The pads under the floormats are dry as a bone and floor mats have been fully steamed cleaned.  Thx,

The large felt pad under the rear seat, and the pads under the centre console, along the driveshaft tunnel. The horsehair pads in the seats are also major moisture and mildew trap.

Daniel' suggestion of an activated charcoal dehumidifier/purifier might work long-term as well, as the mildew/mold spores will get trapped as the air circulates around it. The fungus itself won't be killed, only the spores.

I think ozone can also kill the live fungus, as it's just a highly reactive form of oxygen and will penetrate deeply. Probably a question for a microbiologist though :)
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Diesel 617

In addition to everyone else input, another great tool I use is called Ozium. https://www.amazon.com/Ozium-Air-Sanitizer-Original-3-5/dp/B000CSWCAG

Just don't breath it in, spray one burst into the car before you park it for the night or however long.
X3 1980 300SD Blown Heads, trans -Retired
1980 450SEL Parted out/Scrap
1980 450SEL to Diesel Parted Out/Scrap
1979 280SE Euro Spec Cloth Seats Sold
1979 300CD Daily Driver - Sold


Inventory of w116 Parts
[url="https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff"]https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff[/url]