How can I tell if my car has a cabin air filter? If it doesn't have one, can it be retrofitted?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

It has one - the question is whether it is the Activated Charcoal Filter or the regular one.

As far as I know, if you have the Activated Charcoal Filter, there will be a switch on the dash to turn it on/off. If not, you have the regular filter.

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Dave

1995 S320

there are at least two... and maybe three... (I'm assuming you're asking about your S420 W140)

There is a main cabin filter located under the hood, directly above the heater/AC blower motor. This is a pollen/particulate filter. Its a little over 100 dollars.

There is a small filter inside the cabin, directly above the passenger footwell... it filters the air when the heater/AC is in recirculation mode. Its a flat, porous material... about 20 bucks.

Don't know if they had them in '95, but my '96 W140 has a third ...activated charcoal filter (expensive dude (several hundred dollars) and hard to replace) under the hood/beneath the wiper assembly. If you have one of these, the first filter (over the blower) will have activated charcoal in its construction as well.

Hope this helps. KenP

Thanks for the info. Now to go filter hunting.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

any of you guys familiar with W124 filters? I have a 1993, and am curious to know if it has multiple filters, i would not mind replacing them.

Thanks
fq

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FAQ

W124
Sportline Swaybars
Bilstein HD Struts
16" E420 wheels

Even though 1993 300E's share the same chassis #'s (124.032) and engine code (104.992) as 1994-1995 E320's, they do not have the cabin filters. Only 1994-1995's have them.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thanks Suginami.

You are wealth of knowledge on these cars, I have read many a post from you. We have identical cars, I have 141,000 currently. Next time i have a question i can hit you up directly.

Thanks again.

FQ

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FAQ

W124
Sportline Swaybars
Bilstein HD Struts
16" E420 wheels

Yes, we do have the same car. I have learned almost everything from this website on these cars, as well as experiencing about every weakness that our cars have.

I now have almost 146,000 miles, and the car is in tip top shape. It is routinely mistaken for a nearly new car. I have however, had to replace a lot of parts, including (but not limited to) the head gasket (did valve job, too), replace the engine wiring harness, replace the throttle actuator (ouch!), replace the mass air sensor, replace the upshift delay valve, replace the radiator, replaced two water pumps, and about every radiator hose and heater hose in the car.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The W140 Activated Charcoal Filter (Odor Filter) was supplied at most markets as option Code No. 306.

If your car has code 306 on its production run card and on its option list card data under the hood (a metal plate containing a list of three digit numbers besides the hood lock mechanism) it should be equiped so.

Also, the Actived Charcoal Filter adds a center console switch which has a couple of arrows simulating air passing through a screen. When the switch is actived it lights up a yellow light similar to the one used on the rear window defroster switch.

In 1997 the extra option costed D.M. 807.00 and it was supplied as a standard equipment only to the S600 (SWB/LWB). It was only available for the S-class.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

A few pieces of info on 140 charcoal filter systems.

On the versions WITH the charcoal filter, you will have the air intake slots on the rear of the hood up on top. The versions WITHOUT the charcoal system just had the flat hood, no air intake grille.
Later on, I believe they decided to standardize the hood, and ALL hoods had the air intake (either that or the charcoal system became standard, but I believe I have seen 140's with the slots on the hood, but no charcoal switch), and I also believe that the hood with the air intake hole is the only one MB will sell now, (replacement part hood).

One point to clarify is that if you do have the charcoal filter, the charcoal filter itself is quite expensive (they were at one time around $750, now I believe $500 or so) and a bit of a chore to replace, you need to remove the windshield wiper assembly to get remotely close to it.
The filter above the blower motor on the charcoal filter equipped 140 is referred to as the activated charcoal pre-filter, I believe the cost is over $150. If you do NOT have the charcoal system, the filter that exists over the blower motor assembly is simply referred to as the "dust filter", it is a simple paper element, probably under $30. I believe you could "hot rod" you non-charcoal equipped 140 climate control by inserting the charcoal pre-filter, they seem to be about the same dimension, but the charcoal pre-filter is quite a bit heavier, seems to be also loaded with activated charcoal material.
Both versions us the same recirculation filter inside the cabin, very cheap item, just a pre-formed sheet of filter material, like a thin furnace filter material.

Gilly

sixto, i detailed cabin filter replacement earlier after reading ALL the probs and complaints about ACC system performance.

search for "cheap ACC tuneup" for more info. mine was W202, but im sure yours is very similar.

soory, im too lazy to find thread to post an actual link. - ben

Anyway, FOLKS! Does anyone have a spare USED CHARCOAL FILTER to send me? I WANT TO GET SOME ANALYSIS DONE on it in our lab and AM LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE WILLING TO DONATE USED CHARCOAL FILTERS. I DON't MID WHAT MODEL car it is, JUST LET ME know what year and model it is. I Will pay for the SHIPPING AND HANDLING and appreciate your help!

Thanks

Logikman

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I am an enthusiast but you can't pry money outta my hands... Help me to get to full throttle on the Harmonic Balancer Crank Shaft Pulley RECALL!

Try your local dealerships, I'm sure they'll save some for you.


Gilly