Ozone Generators any good?

[JC220]

My S320's elderly PO was a heavy smoker long story short. The interior was deep cleaned including headliner but there is an underlying smoke odour that bugs me.

I have heard of Ozone Generators for removing odours from car interiors. As far as I am aware this is a one time treatment? Or might it need done more than once to kill off an older odour like that?

They are a little spendy but I cant borrow or rent one so my only option would be to buy one on Ebay. Just wondering what you guys think of them generally since they appear to get used more across the pond and arent hardly heard of here at all.

 

[gsxr]

They do work, and yes, it may take multiple treatments (multiple hours of the machine running).

Even with the ozone machine, it will still take time for the odor to gradually dissipate. It's hard to get the HVAC ductwork cleaned out, assuming you have cleaned all interior surfaces+carpets. Additional measures may help, like using Febreze, or related odor-eliminating products like Odor Bomb.

 

[LWB250]

They do work, and yes, it may take multiple treatments (multiple hours of the machine running).

Even with the ozone machine, it will still take time for the odor to gradually dissipate. It's hard to get the HVAC ductwork cleaned out, assuming you have cleaned all interior surfaces+carpets. Additional measures may help, like using Febreze, or related odor-eliminating products like Odor Bomb.

What @gsxr said.

I had a W140 coupe that was owned by a chain smoking Egyptian guy. Three days of a commercial ozone machine running in that cabin got maybe 90% of the smell out. When you sat on a seat you could smell it, as the seat padding was no doubt soaked with it as was all the upholstery and ductwork. I cleaned the ducts with AC cleaner, too, which also helped but did not completely eliminate it.

An ozone machine is just a part of the process, but don't expect it to be a 100% cure.

Dan

 

[JC220]

They do work, and yes, it may take multiple treatments (multiple hours of the machine running).

Even with the ozone machine, it will still take time for the odor to gradually dissipate. It's hard to get the HVAC ductwork cleaned out, assuming you have cleaned all interior surfaces+carpets. Additional measures may help, like using Febreze, or related odor-eliminating products like Odor Bomb.

What @gsxr said.

I had a W140 coupe that was owned by a chain smoking Egyptian guy. Three days of a commercial ozone machine running in that cabin got maybe 90% of the smell out. When you sat on a seat you could smell it, as the seat padding was no doubt soaked with it as was all the upholstery and ductwork. I cleaned the ducts with AC cleaner, too, which also helped but did not completely eliminate it.

An ozone machine is just a part of the process, but don't expect it to be a 100% cure.

Dan

Thanks for the great advice I do understand it will help but may not 100% remove and I'm good with that too.

I have replaced the easy to access pollen filter in the engine bay. Would like to check if there Is another larger AC filter on the 140 chassis and if so renew that too. Dont know if a AC bomb type cleaner would help clean the ducts but may be worth a go

 

[JC220]

 

[LWB250]

Thanks for the great advice I do understand it will help but may not 100% remove and I'm good with that too.

I have replaced the easy to access pollen filter in the engine bay. Would like to check if there Is another larger AC filter on the 140 chassis and if so renew that too. Dont know if a AC bomb type cleaner would help clean the ducts but may be worth a go

There is the "foul odor filter" that is below the cowl on the W140. To remove this filter, which is not considered a maintenance item, is a considerable undertaking that involves removing the windshield wiper and related covers on the cowl. You have to have a vacuum source to deflate the seal before removal can be accomplished.

Dan

 

[JC220]

There is the "foul odor filter" that is below the cowl on the W140. To remove this filter, which is not considered a maintenance item, is a considerable undertaking that involves removing the windshield wiper and related covers on the cowl. You have to have a vacuum source to deflate the seal before removal can be accomplished.

Dan

Very interesting yes I'll look into that for sure and I dont mind a little work either. In fact getting in under those cowls and cleaning everything out would give me peace of mind too. And wash any surfaces I can reach into in the system.

 

[LWB250]

Very interesting yes I'll look into that for sure and I dont mind a little work either. In fact getting in under those cowls and cleaning everything out would give me peace of mind too. And wash any surfaces I can reach into in the system.

I just recall learning about this one in great detail when I got my first W140, only to discover it's not a maintenance item and had some outrageous flat rate time for replacement.

Dan