w123 Cabin Air Filtration - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dennislarock · #1 03-10-2020, 11:16 AM

I'm installing a new Evaporator in the wagon and the amount of debris build up in the old Evap is astounding... you cannot see light through it anywhere. I'll try and get some pics/vids up when I get home.

I'm considering *slotting* the housing just *before* the blower *intake* to add a quick changeable/cleanable air filter. I'm considering a very thin mesh type of filter. While I expect *some* reduction in air flow... the difference between a clean evaporator air flow out the vents compared to a debris laden evaporator is nothing short of stunning.

I know that a few years back forum member DV (DeliveryValve) installed a fresh air (paper?) filter via the fire wall. However, I think that the *mesh* might work a tad better for mew as I primarily use the re-circulation (very seldom, if ever, do I use the fresh air function).

Opinions encouraged and welcomed... and, THANKS!@!

dennis

vwnate1 · #2 03-10-2020, 11:28 AM

Maybe use a cut filter bag from a vacuum cleaner ? .

It all depends on how difficult it is to change the filter .

One of my W123's had serious dust buildup, in the end I removed the blower and right side carpets and used a garden hose in there to clean it all out .

The Evaporator box drain tube worked a treat, didn't leak one drop out to the foot wells .

Please post up as many photos as you can .

I bought a cheapo endoscope from Harbor Freight, it gave me an excellent view of the inside of the box but is carefully and specifically designed to be junked the first or second time you change the batteries....

I'm told those with average computer skills can save the images it takes to your computer .

Usaguy · #3 03-10-2020, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislarock

amount of debris build up in the old Evap is astounding...

35 YEARS of debris.

did your car come from a dry dusty climate? New orleans is in a humid climate so you should have less debris buildup.

I doubt I would be driving the same car in 35 years. Heck I doubt I will be around in 35 years

dennislarock · #4 03-10-2020, 02:54 PM

I have a decent eight (8) second video... and, It's to big to upload @ 18MB and its Still too big when compressed... anyone out there any good @ digital editing?
If yes, I can email it to you... pm me.

dennis

ngarover · #5 03-12-2020, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislarock

I have a decent eight (8) second video... and, It's to big to upload @ 18MB and its Still too big when compressed... anyone out there any good @ digital editing?
If yes, I can email it to you... pm me.

dennis

create a youtube account. upload it there and share link here. simple.

dennislarock · #6 03-12-2020, 10:40 PM

Yup... just did that ...thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ozCQr84sI

I'll put more up as the process continues.

So, what I tried to show is that the evaporator is completely plugged @ the bottom where the air flow from the blower comes into the housing. Even where you can still see the evaporator tubes... if you hold the evaporator up to light you cannot see light through the fins anywhere. I guess the air flow is forced *around* the sides of the evaporator and into the cabin vents. The AC has always blown ~cold~ 34F-36F on 80F-90F days but, the volume of air from the cabin vents was very weak and I had always noticed that there was considerably more air flow when calling for heat. While I do not show it in the video... the heater core is very, very clean.

The new evaporator arrived today... hopefully I can get to it this weekend or early next week.

dennis

dennislarock · #7 03-12-2020, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christuna

35 YEARS of debris.

did your car come from a dry dusty climate? New orleans is in a humid climate so you should have less debris buildup.

I doubt I would be driving the same car in 35 years. Heck I doubt I will be around in 35 years

It came from Florida... in 2007 ...should update my sig. One very small rust spot under the passenger seat that I'll fix soon as I have the seat out for the evap job.

Evaporators tend to get wet in any climate (there is a drain plug in the housing for the evaporator)... the plugging debris (inside the fins) seems like fine dust muck buildup over a long period of time.

vwnate1 · #8 03-13-2020, 07:10 PM

Thanx for the video, that's very informative .

? Was it leaking ? .

If not why not clean it ? .

JHZR2 · #9 03-15-2020, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Maybe use a cut filter bag from a vacuum cleaner ? .

It all depends on how difficult it is to change the filter .

One of my W123's had serious dust buildup, in the end I removed the blower and right side carpets and used a garden hose in there to clean it all out .

The Evaporator box drain tube worked a treat, didn't leak one drop out to the foot wells .

That's a great idea - Im tempted to try it even though my systems work fine. Anything else anyone should know about trying this?

I love the idea of filtration, and as I recall someone made filters in the cowl area...

But cleaning the evap is a key thing on these old cars all the same...

dennislarock · #10 03-16-2020, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Thanx for the video, that's very informative .

? Was it leaking ? .

If not why not clean it ? .

No it does *not* leak... however, my luck is such that it would probably start to leak in 1-3 years ...then, I would be kicking myself <--which I do frequently.

I attempted to clean the evaporator when it was in the car a while back... I used an immense amount of *air* then *warm clean water* then *air* then several *evaporator fin solvents* then *warm clean water* to rinse. I did this twice (2 times) on consecutive days with each treatment taking about 3 hours. This was two (2) years ago... and you can see the cleanliness of the evaporator as it is today.

I'm not saying don't bother... but, if it hasn't been cleaned on a regular basis (once a year or so) since new (either new car or new evaporator) I don't see anyway to get it clean after 10/20 years of use.

dennis

dennislarock · #11 03-20-2020, 10:57 PM

OK... it's in. Dash and center console are not reinstalled but the air flow is much, much better. So, before I continue the reinstall I have to come up with a plan for the second critical part which is setting up the ACC the way that I want it to function.
The ACC (automatic climate control) it is supposed to recirculate the cabin air 80% of the time with 20% outside fresh air. If, you have ever noticed that your ac seems to warm up and then cool down again... that is what is happening (I'm not talking de-icing here). Anyway... I live in New Orleans not Germany and I don't want 20% 100F 96% humidity air mixing in with my nice cold great air flow ac.

So, option 1... as follows (thanks DV)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/366902-w123-hvac-recirculation-modification.html

There is a second option which is at the shop I'll try to remember to post it tomorrow.

thanks

dennis