BEHR vs NISSENS Heater Core? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

satyr · #1 06-15-2009, 06:44 PM

Hey everybody-
The 87 190 2.0D hasn't been driven now in almost 2 mos because there is such a serious coolant leak under the dash now. The floorboards are sopping wet, the windows fog, and its impossible to drive it this way. So we're budgeting for a new heater core.

I need to place the order asap- so which would be the better heater core?

The Behr doesn't come with o-rings or anything, where it appears the Nissens has o-rings and some sort of adhesive-backed padding.
I don't know if the Behr is significantly better than the Nissens anymore but I found the Behr for $100, the Nissens for $140 plus shipping.

What do you suggest? Thanks for the help- John

pawoSD · #2 06-15-2009, 07:43 PM

I think either would probably work fine. I have a Nissens radiator in my 300E and it seems to be of very high quality. (and is made in Denmark).....I also have a Behr in my 300SD.....also of high quality....

satyr · #3 06-16-2009, 12:47 AM

Thanks for the info! With the Behr being $40 cheaper (besides OEM) I bought it, and got 2 O-rings for $1.95. Now to get install quotes, AND look at the install process (again) and decide if this is really something I wanna get into on my own... Have a good nite everybody- John

ps2cho · #4 06-16-2009, 12:48 AM

From what I have read, its not a tough venture, just a time-consuming one.

jeff-abalone · #5 06-16-2009, 01:31 AM

Behr is OEM for Mercedes. I put that one in my 190E about 2 years ago. It works great.

It come with O rings inside the box.

JonL · #6 06-16-2009, 04:24 AM

I put in a Behr in my 190D as well. I bought the o-rings, only to find two in the box with the core. It also came with the foam strip to apply around the periphery to seal it up into the housing.

samiam44 · #7 06-16-2009, 09:32 AM

For all the effort... consider replaceing the evaporator and at a minimum the hard-to-get to reciculating diaphram. I'm assuming layout it is nearly identical to a W124.

M

JonL · #8 06-16-2009, 11:51 AM

I think (not certain) the W201 evaporator comes out on the engine side of the firewall. I concur with the recirc. pod... that's the one at the top of the airbox? Tight under the dash.... The others I believe can all be replaced by removing the console, considerably less work than the dash removal.

PS: I've read where some people claim to be able to remove the dash without taking off the steering wheel first. I could not. I tried, and in the process screwed up my cruise control stalk. I recommend removing the steering wheel and the cruise control stalk. It's a small amount of additional work and will make life a whole lot easier.

satyr · #9 07-29-2009, 06:49 PM

Hey guys-
Well I ordred the Behr (was actually cheaper)- and the O-rings. And I too opened the heater core box and found o-rings and the foam pad strip in there. (Sigh.) It appears to be of decent quality which was a relief.

The recirculate function hasn't worked since I got the car- so that really needs attention too. The problem is, since its a Euro model (I don't have pushbutton controls- I have knobs for temp and slide switches for fan speed, etc.) I don't know what I'll need to get the recirculation function operating again. I have 2 manuals (including a Chilton's from the UK) but nothing that gives diagrams of the heater box, recirc pod, etc.

SD300 · #10 10-08-2010, 06:01 PM

is there any info regarding to change the heater core, mines spewing lots of water from the driver side, I replaced the O ring but seems to have done nothing much , i guess is there is more things broken inside.
What do i need to remove? The centre console, all the climatic controls, everything think and the kitchen sink.

TIA

ps2cho · #11 10-09-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD300

is there any info regarding to change the heater core, mines spewing lots of water from the driver side, I replaced the O ring but seems to have done nothing much , i guess is there is more things broken inside.
What do i need to remove? The centre console, all the climatic controls, everything think and the kitchen sink.

TIA

This is a very big job. If you are doing it, replace the evaporator and all vacuum pods. You WILL regret it if you don't. Trust me.

Before undertaking this monster, disconnect each end of the heater core and connect the two. Run the car and if the leak stops then you know the heater core is the issue.