Mercedes: BAD ODOR, mold colonies, mold and mildew

Question
QUESTION: 2007 CLK 350 CABRIOLET LITERALLY 'STINKS'...CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR....IT BELONGED TO MY DAUGHTER WHO APPROX. 30 DAYS AGO OR SO GOT CAUGHT IN A VIOLENT RAINSTORM IN MIAMI WITH STREETS FLOODED, ETC. NO WATER PENETRATED THE CABIN SHE SAYS BUT I BELIEVE THE CABIN AIR INTAKES ABSORBED WATER/MOISTURE AND NOW THERE IS MOLD/MILDEW IN THE CABIN AIR SUPPLY DUCT WORK.

I PUT MY NOSE TO THE CARPETING AND LEATHER SEATS, ETC AND DETECTED NO SIGNIFICANT MALODORS...BUT WITH THE TOP DOWN OR UP AND THE CAR MOVING, THE STINK BECOMES ALMOST UNBEARABLE...I TURNED THE A/C OFF AND THE BLOWER OFF TRYING TO ELIMINATE ANY AIR INTAKE TAKE THRU THE DUCTWORK AND YET THE ODOR PERSISTS...ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING...PARKED IN THE GARAGE...TOP DOWN...THE SMELL IS STILL DETECTABLE AND UNPLEASANT BUT WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING THE STINK INTENSIFIES GREATLY.
HELP, PLEASE...THANKS...LEW

ANSWER: Lew,
Sorry for the lateness of the reply. I suspect that the flood water with all its cotaminents has gotten in to the carpet padding or in the trunk padding. And of sure got into some of the air ducts. It does not take very much contaminated water to set up bacterial and mold colonies.
Any where there are areas that will absorb the water will keep the particulates when the water evaporates.
Short of pulling the carpet and using disinfectant on the metal, it will be hard to stop the odor. However the more you run the AC the better It will be to help remove the humidity. Also make sure the the AC drain did not get clogged, as the AC evaporator must have a way to let the condensation drain away, or the collection pan will become a haven for the bacterial, mold and mildew and the ODOR.
Good Luck
Robert
Let me know what you determine.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH 'OZONE GENERATORS' IN CASES WHERE OTHER OPTIONS ARE NOT AS LABOR INTENSIVE, EXPENSIVE AND OTHERWISE VIABLE?

2. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE "REPAIR PAL" WEB SITE THAT ADVISES FOR THE 2007 M-B CLK THAT THE "HEATER BOX IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO MILDEW BUILDUP'?

ANSWER: Lou
Sorry I am not familiar with the operation of an Ozone Generator. I am aware that it is used to help breakdown odors an the units re used in some home situation to mitigate the odors of household cooking.
Also, I have not heard about the issue with heat box mildew.
I expect that it is certainly a possibility that if moisture collects there it would cause a problem.
Robert


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ROBERT:

PLS INSTRUCT ME HOW TO ADDRESS THE HEAT BOX MILDEW POSSIBILITY...
HOW DO I ACCESS THE 'HEAT BOX'...
IS THERE A CHEMICAL SPRAY OR SOMETHING TO KILL THE MOLD SPORES IN THE 'HEAT BOX'?
PLEASE ACCESS ALL YOUR RESOURCES AS THE SITUATION WILL SOON BECOME CRITICAL HERE IN HUMID FLORIDA.
THANKS.

Answer
Lew
Here is a URL that may help in your decision to tackle the heater box. It involves dash removal.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w201-190-class/1358724-mercedes-190-e-d-201-heat  Just copy and paste it into your browser search window.
Good Luck
Robert