Hey fellas,
Got a problem. I think I bought a bum car. Every time I make a little progress, something else happens. This time I had just left the car wash.(with the A/C on). I headed up the road, turned off the A/C, opened the windows and coolant dumped out onto my right leg. I currently have the dash half apart and I suspect the heater core. Does that sound logical? I can see both of the connections to the flexible heater hose in the engine compartment and the connections look fine. No Antifreeze. This sucks. Should I continue and order a core. What else could it be?
Thanks,

Kodiak

I'll pressure test coolant system if is heater core I'll order the core and all vacuum elements replace all.

You are on the right track.

Good luck.

Thanks for the responses. BTW, how do you remove a steering wheel with an airbag? This has got to be one of the most involved repairs in the entire car. I can't believe how much has to be removed. Any tricks or suggestions?

The airbag is fastened by two (torque?) screws from the rear of the steering wheel. Release these screws, disconnect the airbag and remove it.

The heater cores of (european) W201's are known for an occasionally leakage. I would start check pressurizing the system first!

Tips: remove steering wheel, center console, dash cluster, switches, radio, glove compartment box, side ventilation channels, mid ventilation grating, speaker gratings, gratings and panels under the windscreen to release the two nuts that hold the dash (if I remember correctly).

Changing the heater core can easily be done within a day and even within a half day if you know what you're doing and having a very good day. I always see repairs like that as a terrific challenge...

greetingz,

Thanks for the help guys. Just one thing. The airbag. No chance of it going off while I am disassembling it? I am nervous about messing with it. The rest of the dash is virtually out and apart. Just need to get the wheel off.

Just disconnect the battery first then remove air bag you'll be OK. always disconnect battery first when you work on SRS system. hope this help

Thanks for everyone's responses. With the help of a couple of my friends, the core is now replaced and I am in the process of putting the dash back together. What a mess this was though. Now I need to steam clean the carpets, then it's off to the engine work. Thanks again for all the help. If anyone is interested, there are a couple of pix of the car without the dash at the link below.

Kyle

http://www.users.fast.net/~effort/mb/