2005 E320 Activated Charcoal Filter Change

[Randy]

Hi, has anyone changed this filter? I found the air intake filter in the AC-heat system: easy. I see in the parts list an activated charcoal filter which I suspect may not be ...easy.

[RichardM98]

Not sure if they changed the location of the act. charcoal filter on the W211, but if not, it's just as easy. Or maybe a little easier since you don't have to remove the glove box which can be tight. Just remove the panel on the underside of the dash to reveal the heater box. Two sliding plastic clips hold the filter covers on.

[Randy]

Ok great news! I'll pick up the filters and get this done over the holidays!
Thanks for the help!

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by RichardM98

Not sure if they changed the location of the act. charcoal filter on the W211, but if not, it's just as easy. Or maybe a little easier since you don't have to remove the glove box which can be tight. Just remove the panel on the underside of the dash to reveal the heater box. Two sliding plastic clips hold the filter covers on.

So, I take it from your post that all 05/06 CDIs must have the charcoal filters running fulltime?

As the new owner of an 06 CDI, I see no dashboard selector for charcoal filtration of outside air, so, I thought that this model MB didn't have the charcoal filters - unlike my '99 E300, that had the charcoal filtering selector switch on the dashboard assembly.


I did see the HVAC air filter on this 06 CDI, located in the front right engine cavity area, when accessing and changing out my 7-year old auxiliary battery several months ago. I saw NO charcoal filtering in this area of my CDI - strictly the white colored air filter.

[vexed]

Originally Posted by Randy

Hi, has anyone changed this filter? I found the air intake filter in the AC-heat system: easy. I see in the parts list an activated charcoal filter which I suspect may not be ...easy.

If it's the same as the 2007 it's in the engine compartment. Passenger side toward the rear hidden under a cover.

[RichardM98]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

So, I take it from your post that all 05/06 CDIs must have the charcoal filters running fulltime?

As the new owner of an 06 CDI, I see no dashboard selector for charcoal filtration of outside air, so, I thought that this model MB didn't have the charcoal filters - unlike my '99 E300, that had the charcoal filtering selector switch on the dashboard assembly.


I did see the HVAC air filter on this 06 CDI, located in the front right engine cavity area, when accessing and changing out my 7-year old auxiliary battery several months ago. I saw NO charcoal filtering in this area of my CDI - strictly the white colored air filter.

I was responding to the OP's mention of the filter in a parts list. I can't confirm for certain that the W211 has a act. carbon filter and based on how they are made now they wouldn't last very long on continuous duty. However, there are actually two ways the filter is used. One is the switch you mentioned and the other is via a sensor in the engine bay which detects noxious fumes such as sulfur dioxide, etc. and passes the air thru the filter automatically. Perhaps, if it has the filter, only that function is used on the W211.

Sorry for any confusion.

Update - I did a little research and the filter is indeed accessed from the engine bay and is available as either paper (dust only) or activated carbon style.

[Randy]

Thanks, everyone who posted. I did indeed find the larger filter under the hood, on the passenger side. The one in my car was OEM marked, and seemed to be nothing more than pleated paper.
The parts list I accessed on-line showed a smaller filter, which appeared to be located downstream of the HVAC fan, and identified it as Activated Carbon.
That is the one I am wondering about .
My Car was almost always serviced at a M-B dealer until I got it close to three years ago; it's approaching 9 years old, so I am paying attention to some things like this that might be getting old.