Fresh Air filters for W108

[Larry Delor]

Does anybody know if the fresh air filters are still available, and if so, are they an arm and a leg, or just an arm. (these filters would be the ones by the windshield...two or three seperate pieces, I think)
Thanks, -Larry

[MikeTangas]

Larry,

I have been unable to locate any info on these filters, nothing in the my MB manual or owners manual. My 108 has nothing at all in the cowling, just open holes (I can see daylight in the interior air vent). They must have been available at sometime, because I saw some sort of filter material stuffed down in the recesses under the cowling of a 108 parts car at the local Tech's shop. He was at lunch and I couldn't ask him about the filters. I should be able to get by there next week and will try to remember to ask if he knows of any sources.

[MikeTangas]

Larry,

Sorry it took so long but I have found the answer.

According to the dealer, the filters are still available, but have to be ordered. I don't find the parts number in the PartsShop DB, but I imagine they could get them.

The dealer gave me the following parts numbers and prices:

left - 108 830 02 18 $19.00
right - 108 830 01 18 $32.00

Franz was able to provide me the "framework from an old filter he pulled from a junked 108. There is no filter material, but the framework could help ID the correct filters.

Hopefully there are enough 108's/109's in need of these that the PartsShop can lay in a supply.

[Larry Delor]

Mike,
Thanks for the research!
The frame(s),I only have one surviving, on mine are made of plastic, are the ones that you have seen also made of plastic? The one that I do have, looks to be a little warped, otherwise I would think about just replacing the filter media...it doesn't look like anything fancy, of course, it is 30 years old too.
From what I was told, it's not too difficult to replace them, just a time consuming PITA, but it would be nice to have them.
I am going to see about visiting a garage that has a few old 108's sitting around this weekend, maybe he'll let me open one of them up and dig in...need any parts?
Also a friend of mine in Germany has contacted me, and has expressed willingness to search for hard to find parts over there, so if we run into a real obstactle with something, we may have a last resort.
-Larry

[MikeTangas]

I was there as Franz pulled the filters out of the junker. The media was just falling apart. It is/was affixed to the plastic framework, probably glued on. Don't know how hard it would be to reattach new media.

The framework I have is not warped, but the right side (larger) has a broken section. From what I could tell, to replace the filters it is a matter of removing the chrome grille from the cowling (5-6 small screws, accessable with hood open), then removing/replacing the filters under two spring clamps located at each end of the filter opening. I will have to take a good look in the day light to see if I still have the spring clamps, all I know is I have big open chasms under the cowling right now.

[73MB280SEL]

Jeeesh....

Until this thread, I wasn't even aware there were filters in there. I took mine out (whats left of them: some broken pieces of plastic and a few bare pieces of fiber cloth) last weekend.

My plan is to attempt to make aluminum sheet replacement frames from what's left of the plastic ones. Then attach either plastic window screen or other filter material.

The dissassembly also gave me the opportunity to polish up the vent grille. The alloy polishes up OK, but it would be better if it was stainless.

Sholin

[MikeTangas]

Sholin,

The PartsShop now has these filters in stock, it's easier to search for them by part number rather than name, because they have different names for each side. The ones I received were genuine Mercedes filters and a perfect fit. I'm not sure how well your aluminum frames would work, as the filter needs to flex to slip under the clips at each end.

I did notice that after installing filters, where previously there had been nothing, reduced the air flow when the vent is wide open. Now wide open doesn't blow you out of the car .