CLK55 AMG, CLK63 AMG (W208, W209) 2000 - 2010 (Two Generations)

2002 CLK AMG BAD OLD INTERIOR SMELL - HOW TO GET RID OF IT?

Old Jan 12, 2022 | 01:15 PM
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2002 CLK AMG
Angry 2002 CLK AMG BAD OLD INTERIOR SMELL - HOW TO GET RID OF IT?

My 2002 CLK AMG has a bad old interior smell. Someone mentioned it could be how the seats were made and what's under the leather.
How can we get rid of this bad old smell? Tried masking it and that doesn't work.
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Old Jan 12, 2022 | 04:36 PM
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moved to W208 AMG forum...
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Old Jan 13, 2022 | 03:08 AM
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Ozone machine should solve your issue.
Use it generously for at least 30 minutes. The O3 gasses will reach everywhere and kill the bacteria that cause the smell.
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Old Jan 13, 2022 | 12:13 PM
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Problem with ozone machine is it can damage interior, rubbers, plastics and leather will look like sh*t!
Would be very careful using a ozone machine.
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Old May 26, 2022 | 01:46 PM
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You gotta get to the source, Something under a seat. Also, the headliner is a major source of smell.
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Old May 27, 2022 | 11:06 AM
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You can use onions to remove musty smell.
Buy 3 fresh onions, they should be hard when you squeeze them not soft old and saggy as they start to rot.
Rotted onions are really stinky!

Before treatment, remove all loose stuff from the car.

Do not peel the onions!
Only slice them in half and put the two halves on drivers and passengers floor.
Put the other two halves on the floor in the back.

3rd. onion sliced in half you can put in the trunk, placed where you like.

With closed doors, let the onions sit on the floor for approx 15 to 20HRS.
Onions will absorb the nasty smell from cabin and trunk.
The next day, after removal of onions you can open the doors for several hours and air out the smell.

It will smell a little oniony for approx two - three days after the treatment then the smell is gone.
You can live with the aftermath for less than a week, if it bothers you, you can open the windows and sunroof if you drive your car.

If you have really strong and musty smell, you might have to repeat the same onion treatment for 24HRS with new fresh hard onions do not use the old onions!

Make sure you buy hard fresh onions and not old stock from the vegetable and fruit stand!

Never mask odors with fragrance deodorizer's, it will eventually smell like cr*p in your car!
Good luck.

Last edited by MattCordell; May 27, 2022 at 11:10 AM.
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Old Jun 16, 2022 | 01:16 PM
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Interesting my 02 Clk55 vert with 79k miles definitely has a "unique" fragrance compared to my 01 clk55 coupe with 192k miles.

it had been in storage for years, my friend said it just smelled exactly like his grandmas car an old Mercedes' 😂

I put a moisture canister and baking soda box for the fridge in there after doing the leather with VLR and let it sit through winter. Definitely better it's not a musty smell I think it's just old benz haha

the onion though, I literally may have to try that
😂😂😂
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Old Jun 16, 2022 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by quik55
Interesting my 02 Clk55 vert with 79k miles definitely has a "unique" fragrance compared to my 01 clk55 coupe with 192k miles.

it had been in storage for years, my friend said it just smelled exactly like his grandmas car an old Mercedes' 😂

I put a moisture canister and baking soda box for the fridge in there after doing the leather with VLR and let it sit through winter. Definitely better it's not a musty smell I think it's just old benz haha

the onion though, I literally may have to try that
😂😂😂

Try it.

How to get rid of musty smells in the basement?

Whether it’s a musty basement, a newly painted room, or just a smelly pair of shoes, you can use fresh onion to banish the odors. Just cut an onion in half and place it cut end up in a shallow bowl or use both halves for a larger room. The cut onion will absorb the odors and best of all, it won’t leave your space smelling like onion.

Last edited by MattCordell; Jun 16, 2022 at 02:09 PM.
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Old Jun 17, 2022 | 02:25 AM
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How do you get rid of the onion smell? I can't wait 3 days
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Old Jun 17, 2022 | 01:51 PM
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For you that ain't a big issue!
You let the car with the doors or windows/sun roof stay open all day long and air out the onion smell!
You're in Bahrain let the car stay under the shade and absorb fresh air.
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Old Jun 18, 2022 | 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by MattCordell
For you that ain't a big issue!
You let the car with the doors or windows/sun roof stay open all day long and air out the onion smell!
You're in Bahrain let the car stay under the shade and absorb fresh air.
The last time I did that a cat got in and pissed all over the interior. I still can't get the stench out.
Hence why I used an Ozone generator and so far so good.
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Old Jun 18, 2022 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Ahmed
The last time I did that a cat got in and pissed all over the interior. I still can't get the stench out.
Hence why I used an Ozone generator and so far so good.
Cat pee must smell very nice like a new car fragrance for the interior?

Seriously, do you notice any pee smell after the ozone trick or did you manage to eliminate complete pee smell?
After the ozone treatment I hope you also treated your leather seats and door cards with leather conditioner?
And all the rubber-plastic parts with interior UV protected formula?

Ozone machine dries everything, your location reveals that's also an extra heat torture for the interior.


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Old Jun 19, 2022 | 02:49 AM
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It depends on the Ozone machine you use and how much you use it.
I use a UVO1000 device from a company called CleanAir and it has a 10 minute timer for shock treatment.
All my leather and plastic parts are fine. I've used it only twice and the stench was gone permanently as O3 kills the bacteria that causes the smell.
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