I was driving today and got scalding hot coolant on my right foot in my 1991 190e 2.6.

In my Saab 900 era, I knew what this meant: the heater control valve was bad, and it was an easy fix.

I have been told previously the heater valve on this car is on the passenger side.

So what am I up against here? Is it the heater core?

Thanks for your help!

Both the valve and the heater core are known leakage issue at this age. There was even a class action suit brought against DC, BMW, VW and others regarding the design. The heater valve is on the engine bay side of the firewall on the passenger side. The heater core is in the cabin, right in the middle and the dash has to be removed to service the core.

Once I get the dash off, what am I going to have to replace? Is it the whole core or just a hose, or something else?

Once the dash is off, what else is back there that I should replace while it's off, just for good measure?

Thanks for your help.

Whole Core. Happened to me. Takes about an hour to get the dash off for a newb. Takes about an hour to hour and a half to get the heater box out and core replaced and back in the car, then about another half hour to hour to reassemble the dash. Not a bad job really, first time I did one it took me about 2.5 to 3 hours start to finish. I spent a lot of time looking things over and understanding what all is under the dash and how it works, especially the elaborate vacuum system that controls the heater box and vents.

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....