Need to remove the dash board on 91 420SEL

I need to work on the A/C system of my 91 420SEL. I need to check or remove the expansion valve and may be the evaporater unit. How do I remove the dash board.

Thanks for your help,

Davoud

[Aaron]

The expansion valve is located under the dash directly above the accelerator pedal. The kick panel under the instrument panel must be removed to expose the valve for R&R. There are four phillips head screws holding the panel in place as well as a plastic clip that fastens into the center console. The expansion valve is high up between the steering column and center console and is covered with foam insulation. You will find four tube fittings leading to the valve, two on the top side and two on the bottom. It will make the job much easier of replacing the valve if you have flare nut wrenches. The two largest fittings require a 15/16" wrench. Remove the smaller fittings first then tackle the large ones. Try replacing the expansion valve first, if no help, then please e-mail me and I'll send you instructions on removing the dash for the rest of your work. Hope this helps!

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

[Benzmac]

Follow Aaron's advise. The expansion valve in this vehicle is almost impossible to take out. It is really buried, but you don't have to take out the dashboard.

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Benzmac:
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks for the reply. I removed the kick panel and located the expansion valve. It does look impossible to remove, but I will if I have too. Is there any way too check the expansion valve with out removing it? By the way the expansion valve seems to have a sensor which extends into the evaporater's unit housing, doesn't this mean that I have to revome that-+ unit as well?
Thanks, Davoud

If the expansion valve is leaking there should be oil around it. My 85 500SEL had a foam surrounding it and was soaked with oil. I would also suggest getting openend wrenches with two different angles. It can be done but it is really tight in there. My AC guy was good enough to lend me the tools I needed and new O rings. Have Fun