Warm air below steering column - W107

[tubbee]

Hi,

Currently driving a 1981 280SLC, when I shut off the A/C I can feel warm air coming from below the steering column. Is this normal?

Could it be a leak from the from the firewall allowing air to come into the cabin or maybe a a stuck heater switch or something.

Living in a tropical country, I do not need any heat at all... I believe my heater switches have been deactivated.

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers
Eric

[GermanMarque]

Originally Posted by tubbee

Hi,

Currently driving a 1981 280SLC, when I shut off the A/C I can feel warm air coming from below the steering column. Is this normal?

Could it be a leak from the from the firewall allowing air to come into the cabin or maybe a a stuck heater switch or something.

Living in a tropical country, I do not need any heat at all... I believe my heater switches have been deactivated.

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers
Eric

Eric, Wait until is dark and put a light on the drivers floor, a torch facing the pedals will do, or a normal stand lamp, open the bonnet and look for any light coming through the firewall, no light, no problems. Next check the Blower fan cover, the big black plastic lid like a lunchbox in the centre of the firewall, check the lid for cracks and the state of the seal, these lids sometimes crack and or the gasket goes brittle and leaks, allowing hot engine compartment air to get sucked in.

If all's well there, it would seem the air is coming from the footwell vent in the centre console, it requires removal of the dash panel below the steering colum, four screws from memory and careful with the courtesy light that lives in the panel. You can then check it's operation as there is a open close flap there. That flap is mechanically operated from memory, not vacume, maybe another member could clarify that point. But open or closed, it still has to have somewhere to get the warm air, passenger with a bowel problem?
Hope that helps!
280SL

[GermanMarque]

Quote: "it requires removal of the dash panel below the steering colum, four screws from memory and careful with the courtesy light that lives in the panel." Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

Eric, just crawled under the dash, they not screws but 10mm bolts that hold that panel on, sorry, just didn't want you on your back with a screw driver cursing the crazy aussie for telling you they were screws! So take some small sockets on your journey, just in case your not going "Where no man has gone before" and someones changed the size on their visit to the soft underbelly.

Brian
280SL

[tubbee]

Thanks for all the help.....!!

cheers
eric

[aTOMic]

There's a boot like a CV joint boot that seals the steering shaft as it passes through the firewall on my W210 that has failed. I have the warm breeze especially if the windows are up and sunroof open. I have the new part but haven't had time to fix it. HTH