Got a 1985 300D turbo - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

123boy · #1 04-10-2022, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Sadly, the W123 is not the only automobile that requires the entire dashboard to come out for evap. or heater matrix replacement .

I was asking about MB cars, mainly. Not being too familiar with the marque, was wondering if they all had their evaps buried deep in the center of the dash? As I mentioned earlier, on my '97 E300D, not only does the ENTIRE dash have to be removed but also the steering column, complete center console, and on and on....

I recall earlier GM vehicles had the evaporator on the engine side of the firewall. Easy to access and r/r. Don't really remember a lot of them failing, either. I believe they used that config into the early 2000's. These were the systems with the HUGE cylindrical Frigidaire compressors before they moved to the R4 design. They were about 16" long with the pulley and clutch, weighed about 50 lbs and had 6 pistons with the swash plate configuration. R12, of course and ice cubes spittin out of the vents at all times......lol Can't recall what Ford and Chrysler did with their evaps, though.

My son had an 04 GMC Safari and the evap was still on the engine side. I had a Ford Aerostar (cant remember the year) and the heater core was about the easiest thing to change out I've ever seen. The Safari was basically the same. Disconnect the hoses on the engine side, open the passenger door, take a plastic cover off in the footwell, and there was the heater core. Literally a "piece of cake"!

However, there really is no comparison of American cars and MB of similar vintage. My '83 240D is a little rough but "all there" and mostly original. Pretty sure I wouldn't feel the same about an '83 Buick Regal. Doubt it would be in as good condition, either. To be fair, the American cars were about a third of the price, though. Hard to beat that value at the time.

An HVAC service cart for 40 bucks, or so, would've been a great deal! As you mentioned, though, only so much room for "stuff". I've got the same problem.....

vwnate1 · #2 04-10-2022, 11:10 PM

yes, I remember Ford Escorts having that same trap door, the heater core was easy-peasy to swap out but better equipped Fords and their fleet trucks were miserable, to do anything in the dash you had to take it completely apart, even for a $12 vacuum element....

The way HVAC systems are designed changed greatly in the very late 70's or early 80's ~ no more hot water valves, the heater core was as close to the firewall as possible, this meant hot air faster in Winter and the heater core was a critical part of the cooling system so it couldn't be by passed like on older vehicles and still have good engine cooling in Summer / the desert .

When the heat was turned off or to vent, blender doors dumped all the unwanted hot air out under the car .

That HUGE Delco AC compressor was the R6 ~ yes it could cool a station wagon but it also sucked up an amazing amount of engine power doing so, why they also had the cheap and effective "pancake" R4 that isn't bad, it just doesn't like to be rebuilt and had input shaft seal problems from day one .

If I'd had anyplace to store them I'da bought every one of those near new high end HVAC carts ~ they recycled the Freon and stored it .

I knew a gold mine when I saw it but I also know that to sell a thing has to be like new and look it, not dusty or rained on...

I'm getting rid of my auto trade parts and vehicles, no one seems to want my 300CD that I took for a drive today, I hope I don't have to junk it .

ROLLGUY · #3 04-10-2022, 11:20 PM

"That HUGE Delco AC compressor was the R6"
Nate- I think you mean A6 (Axial 6 piston=3 double acting), and the R4 ia a 4 piston Radial.......Rich

vwnate1 · #4 04-10-2022, 11:23 PM

Thanx Rich ! .

I didn't often touch Buicks, Pontiacs and Cadillacs that used them so I don't remember the correct nomenclature .

vwnate1 · #5 07-01-2022, 09:20 PM

Sorry I missed this, I seem to keep missing the meet & greets, I used to love going to them .

This morning I threw out and N.O.S. AC condenser, I like the larger ones Rich hipped me to and no one seems to actually want any arts unless they're free .

Please let us know if Matt is able to sort you out .