source for or replacement for foam tube on ACC w123 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lutzTD · #1 01-18-2008, 07:48 PM

is there a source for this? I removed my sensor trouble shotting the acc and when i tried to put it back the tube turned to dust in my hands. I have a new acc but it still does not regulate temp very well. I suspect the missing tube is the bulk of the issue.

NDP 2.6 190E · #2 01-18-2008, 08:05 PM

Had the exact same problem. Used a length of half-inch pipe insulation and some cable ties. Opted for the more expensive closed-cell rubber tubing rather than the cheaper foam tubing. It's widely available at most harware stores.

Cheers!

lutzTD · #3 01-18-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDP 2.6 190E

Had the exact same problem. Used a length of half-inch pipe insulation and some cable ties. Opted for the more expensive closed-cell rubber tubing rather than the cheaper foam tubing. It's widely available at most harware stores.

Cheers!

awesome thanx. I will go get some tonight and change it tomorrow. :cheers

dmorrison · #4 01-18-2008, 08:24 PM

I used a plastic tube from Home Depot. Go to this wiki and scroll down to picture #64.

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

Any tube will work. The tube just allows air to be pulled through to the blower motor so the temp sensor has cabin air flowing over it.

Dave

mobetta · #5 01-18-2008, 09:44 PM

Menards.

nhdoc · #6 01-18-2008, 10:08 PM

I just used a piece of heater hose and it works fine too. Anything with the right ID will work. I think they used the foam because it had so little mass that it would not influence the temperature of the air going through it but I never had any trouble with the heater hose so I don't think it is too critical.

dmorrison · #7 01-18-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

I just used a piece of heater hose and it works fine too. Anything with the right ID will work. I think they used the foam because it had so little mass that it would not influence the temperature of the air going through it but I never had any trouble with the heater hose so I don't think it is too critical.

I have only 1 theory why the tube is foam. This has been discussed and no one posted a reasonable answer. We don't really know why its foam except for maybe this reason.
When I replaced the evaporator elements in my sons 85 300D I did it without removing the dash. To get the center vent element out. I slid it along the dash between the two hoses that make up the interior temp sensor hose. Right were the foam tube is located is where I was able to slide the element out after dismounting it. That may be the reason for the foam tube.

Now as posted any tube that will fit either over, or inside, of the 2 tubes to complete the tube will work.

Dave

lutzTD · #8 01-19-2008, 09:29 PM

replaced the foam tube with 1/2 inch pipe inxulation from HD, $.89. while I was in there I decided to remove the sensor to see if blowing out the dust would help. turns out I had pulled the wires out of the connector when I was replacing ACC relays a few months ago. ACC works awesome now woohooo

im not sure if the foam design is related to any temp issues since it lays right on top of the rubber duct supplying air to the center vents. The tube laying on the duct is still hard plastic so if it was a temp isolation issue its completely fouled up. i would tend to agree it is for assembly

lietuviai · #9 01-19-2008, 10:58 PM

I used a piece of old garden hose on the '85 I had and it worked fine. Perfect fit too.
Cost = $0!

whunter · #10 08-30-2012, 06:02 PM

for new members

JHZR2 · #11 08-30-2012, 10:06 PM

It seems funny to me that one would replace it with a foam tube that would most likely dry up in time and do the same thing. Wouldnt some kind of a rubber hose do better?

JHZR2 · #12 07-08-2019, 11:25 PM

I’ll answer my own question. I used what I had in stock.