Getting ready for a heater core replacement!
 

I've been aquiring parts all summer for this job.

My 1984 190E has a leaky heater core. I'm fortunate that it has not blown open on me, and soaked the interior.

Now that it's cooling down some in the daytime here in western NC, I'm almost ready to undertake this big job.

What I'd like to know is: Besides stuff like anti-freeze and molded hoses, is there anything oddball or special that I should have on hand before I start this project?

I have the core, molded hoses, new clamps, O-rings, and a selection of screws and hardware to strengthen up the console area, as someone in the past has been in this area, and the entire assembly is loose. I'll be prepared to blow clean water thru the old core, then blow it out with compressed air, so I dont soak the interior with antifreeze. I plan to clean out the entire heater box, as when it comes on, I get the aroma of something old and wet, and this is not antifreeze odor.

I thank you gentlemen for advise.

Bruce

Depending on your long term plans for the car, you may want to consider refreshing the pink colored vacuum acutators that control the "doors" for the heater and ventilation, since the dash and center console will be out for the heater core job.

Thank you for that hint. I'd not thought about the actuators, as mine all work.

If you are pulling the dash I'd strongly recommend that you do all of the vacuum actuators.

I'll look into the cost on these actuators tomorrow... Wednesday.

Bruce

I wanted to question if you wouldn't mind doing a step by step with pic's as you progress? Also, if you could note all the parts in the job at the close?

The moldy smell cold also be from the evaporator - may want to check and clean it.

I used to do HVAC systems service. I've got coil cleaner for the A/C evaporator. A/C does not work on this car, due to the previous owner pulling the compressor and tossing it. It's on my 'getaroundtuit' list.

As for documenting the event, I've tried that before. I did the same job with a 1985 Oldsmobile that required the entire dash be removed, too. I tended to forget about the camera, as I kept focusing on the work at hand. We'll see what I can come up with for this project.

I've called my MB guy this morning. He's getting a price for the actuators, and he said they are pricey. No doubt there. It must be a Bosch thing.

One of the pink actuators has a 2003 date stamped on it. The other one is OEM 1984. Im buying one.

When I pulled the center console out, I found bolts missing on the center stiffener support, and one side of the heater box. It's missing several clips, so I will pay a visit on Monday to my MB junkyard. The dashboard is sagging about 1/4 inch. I pushed the stiffener back up onto its bolt, and installed a nut on it for now.

It's not going to be as horrible as I thought.

I'd like to kick the behind of the person that got in here and messed everything up. The wiring harness is all tangled up, too. It's going to be right when I get done.

The parts yard provided me a wealth of clips, and bolts and nuts. I can proceed now. Also, located the problems this weekend with my computer that kept me from using the W201 manual disc that I bought from this website. Printed off the procedure for removing the dashboard. It's so much more straight-forward than the way the Chilton manual says to do it.

Stay tuned.