Climate control to manual conversion - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bruce Kennedy · #1 05-05-2007, 11:28 AM

I'm getting ready to swap the climate control system on my 85 300td for a manual system out of an 80 240d. The evaporator/heater box on both cars has some kind of foam on the flaps ( I suppose to help them seal better ) that has detiorated and crumbles to the touch. Anyone no of a source or replacement for this stuff?

Rashakor · #2 05-05-2007, 07:26 PM

when overhauling the flaps in the w116 i used seam foam from Home Depot.

BTW you need to make a tutorial out of this one...

Bruce Kennedy · #3 05-06-2007, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashakor

when overhauling the flaps in the w116 i used seam foam from Home Depot.

BTW you need to make a tutorial out of this one...

What is seam foam? I will make a tutorial if all goes well. I'm planning on having the donor parts ready to install, so I can do the whole thing in a day.

dmorrison · #4 05-06-2007, 01:12 AM

Any kind of foam will do. Its just for noise. I removed mine and it's fine.

Detailed pictures and info are required. Lots of people want to do this conversion.

Dave

R Leo · #5 05-06-2007, 10:18 AM

Bruce,
I too will be following your conversion closely because once I get a couple of issues out with the 300D (new half shaft) and 300SDL (PM on tranny and a new serpentine tensioner assy) , I plan to take my wagon off the road to rehab the a/c. I have to pull the dash to r&r the evaporator for the retrofit back to R-12 so doing the conversion to manual controls (I have two full sets of controls and assd. parts plus a parts car with a complete manual dash) at the same time seems logical.

A question:
The manual system has a siamesed heater core (L & R) with a double valve controlling water flow to the two halves of the core. What is your plan for dealing with the control of water to the single core in the ACC heater? I'm thinking that there's probably an off-the-shelf, cable operated Toyota, Nissan or Ford valve that will to the trick.

dmorrison · #6 05-06-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

Bruce,
I too will be following your conversion closely because once I get a couple of issues out with the 300D (new half shaft) and 300SDL (PM on tranny and a new serpentine tensioner assy) , I plan to take my wagon off the road to rehab the a/c. I have to pull the dash to r&r the evaporator for the retrofit back to R-12 so doing the conversion to manual controls (I have two full sets of controls and assd. parts plus a parts car with a complete manual dash) at the same time seems logical.

A question:
The manual system has a siamesed heater core (L & R) with a double valve controlling water flow to the two halves of the core. What is your plan for dealing with the control of water to the single core in the ACC heater? I'm thinking that there's probably an off-the-shelf, cable operated Toyota, Nissan or Ford valve that will to the trick.

RLeo
The auto ACC system is also the siamesed heater core. It just does not control either half separately like you can in the 240D.
If transplanting the manual evaporator box then Use the controls that come with the manual system. Control of the water to the 2 halves is via the cables that go to the "manual mono" valve location. The manual system uses a small control valve. Doing the replacement will include replacing the mono valve as well as the cables that go from the "manual mono" valve to the round control knobs at the center consol. The donor car will give you everything you need. The only problem will be the wiring harness and how you will handle that.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123Evaporator

Look at picture # 88 shows the 240D valve control. Notice the picture before it of the red 300TD, they use the same holes in the firewall. The only difference is the manual control valve in the 240D and the 2 cables going to the valve. The W123 firewall has the holes for this already there.

If you want I can mail both of you all the pictures I took, on a CD, when both the 300TD and the 240D had there evap replaced. Most are on the WIKI in the DIY section but I have some I did not use. And I took them at 2M resolution which helps when looking for detail.

Dave

Bruce Kennedy · #7 05-06-2007, 12:57 PM

Randy, I removed the entire heater/ evaporator box and all of the controls from the 240 to put in my wagon. I also removed the neccesary portion of the wiring harness from the 240. I had to cut a couples of wires and I recorded where they went to on the 240.
Dave, what about the foam on the flaps? Are you saying its not neccesary?

I'm really looking foward to doing this because I HATE THE CLIMATE CONTROL!

R Leo · #8 05-06-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

RLeo
The auto ACC system is also the siamesed heater core. It just does not control either half separately like you can in the 240D.
If transplanting the manual evaporator box then Use the controls that come with the manual system. Control of the water to the 2 halves is via the cables that go to the "manual mono" valve location. The manual system uses a small control valve. Doing the replacement will include replacing the mono valve as well as the cables that go from the "manual mono" valve to the round control knobs at the center consol. The donor car will give you everything you need. The only problem will be the wiring harness and how you will handle that.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123Evaporator

Look at picture # 88 shows the 240D valve control. Notice the picture before it of the red 300TD, they use the same holes in the firewall. The only difference is the manual control valve in the 240D and the 2 cables going to the valve. The W123 firewall has the holes for this already there.

If you want I can mail both of you all the pictures I took, on a CD, when both the 300TD and the 240D had there evap replaced. Most are on the WIKI in the DIY section but I have some I did not use. And I took them at 2M resolution which helps when looking for detail.

Dave

Dave,
Thanks for the generous offer of the pics; I already have them. You sent me a CD about a year ago.

I was going to try and keep the existing heater core and, AFIK, it only has one inlet...this is only from memory which, is getting worse all the time. If I do have to go with a manual core, I probably wouldn't go through the trouble to pull the manual core from my parts car but instead, purchase a new one.

R Leo · #9 05-06-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Kennedy

Randy, I removed the entire heater/ evaporator box and all of the controls from the 240 to put in my wagon.
I'm really looking foward to doing this because I HATE THE CLIMATE CONTROL!

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

Bruce Kennedy · #10 05-06-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

Dave,
Thanks for the generous offer of the pics; I already have them. You sent me a CD about a year ago.

I was going to try and keep the existing heater core and, AFIK, it only has one inlet...this is only from memory which, is getting worse all the time. If I do have to go with a manual core, I probably wouldn't go through the trouble to pull the manual core from my parts car but instead, purchase a new one.

The heater cores appear to be the same, both have three aluminum pipes going to the core. The boxes however are very different. You really need a donor car to do this conversion and once you have the dash off, its not difficult to remove the heater/evaporator box on the 123. The 126 however is a different story. It is a nightmare by comparison.

#11 05-06-2007, 03:01 PM

I converted my climate control to manual by changing cars.

#12 05-06-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I converted my climate control to manual by changing cars.

That's the best way to do it.

Actually, I'm sorta spoiled by the auto climate control, it is pretty nice when you get it working correctly. Whenever, I drive my wife's 240D I get tired of playing with the manual controls all the time. Yesterday I drove it about 5 miles wondering why the heat wasn't getting warn until I remembered what I was driving.

Both systems are fine, the only advantage of the manual system is that it really has nothing to break. The auto system can be a hassle to troubleshoot, but you still can't spend more than about $500 fixing it. Compared to new cars, either system is very cheap and easy to fix. Given a choice, I would still take the auto system because the cost difference is negligible, and I like to be able to "set it and forget it."

Rashakor · #13 05-06-2007, 09:05 PM

well,

Let me get my opipion in here. I have a 300TD euro version with factory manual cmlimate control... And i think it is the best thing since sliced bread! Now if this baby was turbo i would be in heaven. But either you get a euro version or make the conversion. Same comment for the the SD. I love the car but auto climate is not an option i want or can have on that car unless i install it myself.

Craig:
I dont think it is a question of cost. I think the change is more a question of maintenance. The manual system has nothing to break, hence once you repaired it no more maintenance or repair... Set and forget!!!!

BTW RLEo, give me a shout when you are planning in doing the conversion. I really would like to be present, either as a photographer or just for curiosity...

Bruce Kennedy · #14 05-06-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

That's the best way to do it.

Actually, I'm sorta spoiled by the auto climate control, it is pretty nice when you get it working correctly. Whenever, I drive my wife's 240D I get tired of playing with the manual controls all the time. Yesterday I drove it about 5 miles wondering why the heat wasn't getting warn until I remembered what I was driving.

Both systems are fine, the only advantage of the manual system is that it really has nothing to break. The auto system can be a hassle to troubleshoot, but you still can't spend more than about $500 fixing it. Compared to new cars, either system is very cheap and easy to fix. Given a choice, I would still take the auto system because the cost difference is negligible, and I like to be able to "set it and forget it."

I disagree with you on this one. There are several advantages to the manual system. The main one is seperate controls for the driver and passenger. My favorite advantage is to be able to have heat to my feet and cool fresh air on my face. This is great for keeping you awake on long winter trips. The manual system is a no-brainer that anyone can figure out. Every time I have loaned a mb with climate control to a freind ,family member, or employee, I get a call asking how to get the heat or AC to work.
The climate contol works as it should on my td, the problem is that it does'nt know if I'm hot of cold.

#15 05-07-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Kennedy

I disagree with you on this one. There are several advantages to the manual system. The main one is seperate controls for the driver and passenger. My favorite advantage is to be able to have heat to my feet and cool fresh air on my face. This is great for keeping you awake on long winter trips. The manual system is a no-brainer that anyone can figure out. Every time I have loaned a mb with climate control to a freind ,family member, or employee, I get a call asking how to get the heat or AC to work.
The climate contol works as it should on my td, the problem is that it does'nt know if I'm hot of cold.

Yup, it's just a matter of preference, I do like the fresh air feature on the manual system. I'm usually alone in my car, so I'm not too concerned about the duel controls. I have found that the auto system is better suited for long trips where it has a chance to "find" the correct setting and stay put. I pretty much leave mine alone and let it do it's thing, it does seem to get "confused" if you keep tweaking it. The manual system may be better for "around town" use where you can crank up the heat or AC for a short trip.