The other day, I noticed a piece of foam hanging out of my center dash vent. I looked closer and noticed that other, smaller pieces of decomposed foam had spewed out into the interior. What kind of problems and repairs am I in for? The AC seems to be working fine for now.

Thanks in advance,

Warren

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2011 C300

Gone but not forgotten:

1995 E420
1990 500SL

If it is working fine now...don't touch it!

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J.H.
'86 300E

Yep...My 92 400E did the exact same thing. I plucked as much as I could from the center vents then went on a mission to find the source. I pulled all the plastic molding and rubber from the bottom of the windshield, removed the wiper assembly, removed the top to the fan/blower and exposed the blower motor and fans. On the metal baffle that seems to control fresh and recirculating air for the cabin was a sticky combination of glue and decomposing foam. I took it off and cleaned the baffle.

Once I reinstalled all the parts I operated the fan on "High" for a moment which seemed to "process" the final pieces of foam out of the center vents. Since that surgical procedure...no more blowing foam.

I am not sure of that's the only source of decomposing foam in the system but I can tell you my problem went away.

Good luck.

JC

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Jeff
'87 300E
'92 400E
'06 ML350

MICE!!!!!!!!!
William Rogers......

FWIW, during the last time I changed my cabin filters I noticed a door under the filters with gray foam that was disintegrating horribly.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

The flapper doors in all the Mercedes are covered with foam. This foam deteriorates over time and pieces will come loose and blow out the vents. The door is metal or plastic and the foam problem will not interfere with the running of the system.
Below is the fresh air flap door from the 82 300TD AC system.
This is a metal door that is covered with the foam. The foam quiets the airflow noise and makes the shuting of the door against the heater box case, quiter.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car