CHARCOAL Cannister

I run with the "air cleaner element" in the On position 100% of the time due to living in and around a large Industrial Area, not to mention that it is just nice to breath cleaner air all the time!, and am wondering the procedure for cleaning this element, and or replacing it.

At what time does it need replacing?

At 67,000K, I can now smell certain things outside, when before it filtered out everything.

Could you let me know what you know about this?

Thanks



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Chris Ecklund
98 300 DT

[mbdoc]

The charcoal filters are designed to last 75-100k miles but constant use will deplete filter capacity, just like air filter(microfilter). Unlike the W140 chassis replacement is a breeze.

So what other filter is there to replace?

Can you tell me where they are located?

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Chris Ecklund
98 300 DT

[mbdoc]

The "microfilter" should be replaced every 15k miles & is behind the glove box. The charcoal filter is easy to remove when the passenger underdashpanel is removed.

Sorry about the blank response. Hit the enger key too soon. :-)

I have a 90 300SEL and no owner's manual or documents. I find the discussion about charcoal filter *VERY* interesting. I live in Saudi Arabia and sometimes have to queue behind some "honey wagons". On a warm day they are truly awful! Does my car have a charcoal filter and is it located behind the glove box?

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[mbdoc]

The W140 chassis was the first "S" class to have microfilters. The R129 was the 1st MB w/filter.