Our recently acquired 1995 E420 has been checked by the local Mercedes dealer for poorly performing air conditioning. The system charge and output temps are supposedly fine. They need to replace the dust filters which they don't seem to have on hand. The air flow makes a lot of noise from the vents (the vent wheel dials are adjusted correctly) but the air volume seems way too low. The air noise and lack of airflow indicates that there is a restriction somewhere. I had a 1992 E300 for three years and don't remember the A/C air flow being this way. Could the dust filters cause this problem if they were plugged, or does it sound like some internal flap or damper problem?

I have picked pieces of looks like little pieces of sponge type insulating material out of my vents. Anyone know what it is and where it would be coming from? I do not have a problem with air flow though.
Thanks,
engatwork
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV

I have yet to see a 124 chassis with a dust filter but they must exist. On cars like BMW which regularly have filters, I have seen many cars with severe flow problems that were fixed by new filters. In a number of cases the filters were only just past the service interval.

I have replaced 140 chassis filters that HAD to be restricting air flow.

As to the foam, much of the surfaces of the doors are covered with this foam (which deteriates)to keep noise and sweating down. I had a lady with a Volvo pay us big bucks to scour the inside of the evap housing so that the stuff wouldn't blow on her clothes.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Steve:

For the 1995 W124 model and I believe 1994, Mercedes added the dust filters. I think they are plain filters and not the same as the charcoal dust filters on the 1996 and later E320 & E420/E430 model.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bob I:
Steve:

For the 1995 W124 model and I believe 1994, Mercedes added the dust filters. I think they are plain filters and not the same as the charcoal dust filters on the 1996 and later E320 & E420/E430 model.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Would you know where they are located and how
to change one?
Thanks

I am aware that the dust filters were installed on some 124's, I am still looking for the first one. If the filter is there it sure will need replacement regularly from my experience with other cars.

Arthur:

On the 1995 W124 I think the black rubber covers at the bottom of the windshield come off and the filters are down inside somewhere. These are the ones on both sides of the wiper arm. I have never changed them, but when I had the car in to the dealer last time, these covers were not snapped back in place and I think that is how they got at them. Maybe someone else with manuals for the later 124 model could confirm this?

Here's a picture of 2 very dirty 124 830 01 18 cabin filters in my wife's '95 E420. Benzmac helped me replace them. From the looks of the filters, they had never been changed!

http://www.peachparts.com/images/e420_cabinfilter.jpg

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

Bill,
I think YOU should do a CD !!!

Pointing finger and all. I'll buy it..
Arthur

We plan to do a DIY article on changing the cabin filters in a W124. I've got all of the step by step pictures. Now I just need to get off my butt and Photoshop the pics and write the article.

One of these days we will compile all of our Shop Forum archives and our DIY articles into a CD. Do you think anyone would buy it?

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

Absolutely !!!!

There are so many request from owners to get DIY info on basic simple maint. that I
am surprised someone hasn't looked deeper into that market. The customers are definately there.
Arthur

I would be interested in the picture CD.
A question to follow up on with the dust filters - I looked under there and removed the rubber hood seal and found a few screws holding the plastic grill thing down. It does look like there is a seam there but I did not want to get into it without getting some guidance on here. Which screws need to be removed to take the plastic grill piece out.
'95 E320 (W124)
thanks
engatwork

A CD would be great! I had the dust filters replaced on the E420 and there was a definite increase in the air flow through the A/C vents. I still don't think the system is working properly even though the dealer claims it is. With the temp dial set at 70 to 75 degrees, the blower never gets off of the high speed if the outside temp is about 80 or above and the cabin temperature is just barely comfortable. It still sounds like there could be some restriction in the vent air flow system. Although it had been 5 years since I had the 1992 300E I don't recall the A/C in that car acting the same way. The 1992 probably had R12 in it while the 1995 has R134. Could that make such a difference or is there a problem with the air flow vent function on these models? Any ideas as to what if any the problem could be?

Is it possible to adapt the filters to a 1990 w124. I would like this on my 300CE.

Thanks.

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1990 300CE-24
1995 Jeep Wrangler
1995 Ford Thunderbird

Ditto a retrofit to an 87 300E!

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JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver