W123 240D: Windows foggy on inside = heater core leak? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

anghrist · #1 10-19-2010, 12:51 PM

Hey guys. This is a situation that has vexed me and my girlfriend for some time now. The windows have a substantial oily fog on the inside, even after cleaning, in the middle of our desert 110 degree summers. After an hour or so of driving, I will get out of the car and after going inside and cooling down I notice that my clothes smell strongly of coolant.

This leads me to believe that the heater core has a vapor leak, since there is no pooling of coolant on the floorboard of the vehicle. I know that very few attempt replacement of the heater core due to the difficulties involved, but for those who have...

Do the water pipes that go into the heater core have simple o-ring seals or is there any seal at all?

I have a replacement heater core that I plan to have cleaned and pressure tested, but if the seals need to be replaced, which should be done anyway, I would like to know what I will need before I get in there.

Thanks for the help.

Josh

vstech · #2 10-19-2010, 01:30 PM

whatever you choose, don't drive the car until you do decide. it's a serious health risk.
brain damage etc.

pj67coll · #3 10-19-2010, 03:36 PM

Why not simply bypass the heater with a return hose in the engine bay? No need for a heater in the desert.

- Peter.

scottmcphee · #4 10-19-2010, 03:38 PM

Do your clothes smell like green coolant, or MBenz yellow-orange coolant?

anghrist · #5 10-20-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

whatever you choose, don't drive the car until you do decide. it's a serious health risk.
brain damage etc.

Not an option right now. The other car is having the suspension rebuilt.

anghrist · #6 10-20-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Why not simply bypass the heater with a return hose in the engine bay? No need for a heater in the desert.

- Peter.

Well, that's a good quick fix for the summer here in the high desert whe it gets close to 120 degrees. But the winters can get down to the low 30 degree range. I might need heat then.

anghrist · #7 10-20-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

Do your clothes smell like green coolant, or MBenz yellow-orange coolant?

More like coolant that I dont want my clothes to smell like. Have the MB spec "gold" coolant in the car.

pj67coll · #8 10-20-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anghrist

Well, that's a good quick fix for the summer here in the high desert whe it gets close to 120 degrees. But the winters can get down to the low 30 degree range. I might need heat then.

Nah, wear a sweater or jacket or something. I've come to the conclusion that heaters are pointless and not worth the bother in a car unless you are in an arctic type environment. When I acquire another 123 I shall attempt to see about removing the heater completely and using the reclaimed space to a larger evap to improve the efficacy of the ac.

- Peter.

moon161 · #9 10-20-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anghrist

Well, that's a good quick fix for the summer here in the high desert whe it gets close to 120 degrees. But the winters can get down to the low 30 degree range. I might need heat then.

Up north, we call them sweaters. Just get a nylon T from Mcmaster or autozoo, and T together the hose from the block and the 2 returns. Plug the pipes to the core so hornets don't move in.