This was cathartic. Having replaced all six actuators on my 126-without pulling the dash-I can relate to this entire video. I figured if I'm doing one or two, I might as well do all six. It was, without exception, the most painstaking thing I've ever done on a car; however, since I'm but a novice mechanic, that's not really saying much. Two weekends in a hot, Southern Cal garage in July of 2018 were dedicated to the job, and my car was a mess that gave me anxiety to even look at. A headband with a light in it, keeping the sweat out of my eyes, and trial-and-error with threading those damned ferrules was almost more than my patience could muster, and getting the actuator out from near the gas pedal was a total PITA. I probably did some of these things the hard way, but that Eureka! moment when it was all put back together and my center vents worked again for the first time in a decade was better than sex.
Doing the evaporator/pod replacement on a W124 soured me on wanting to own another W124. Such an annoying job and some of the pods are completely NLA at this point with no direct replacements that I know of, I bought the last stock of one type when I did the job last year.
I replaced the pods on my 81 W126 2 years ago when I had it apart for repaint and on my 85 W123 this spring when I replaced the windshield and cracked dash, oh what fun.
Pierre, Best of Best. HVAC has never been Mercedes strong point now or in the past. On this one technology Nobody in the world does AC like American OEM. I remember reading Mercedes resisted putting AC in their cars but the American Mercedes dealers told them they would go out of business.
Thanks for yet another great video, Pierre. I'm getting my money's worth, lol! I've replaced those actuators before, but never heard about basically overhauling them with new diaphragms. Good info to know. Thanks again!
hello Pierre, im looking for some injector sleeves (part number: A1030700054) for my "w124 1990 300E" but i can't find any, my local mercedes dealer in norway said they have completely run out (NLA) do you know where i can buy a set, or if they ever will become available again?
@@thisisnightshop2037 no they are not broken, ive pulled two of them and they are just discolored. i want a set because i plan on keeping my w124 for a few years, just a piece of mind knowing i will have replacements, just in case these become a problem in the future
One temporary way to make the center vent to stay open , is to use a long thin screwdriver to pop open the flap [ it is spring loaded in the close position ] , then insert a piece of fuel hose in there , this will keep the flap open . Happy customer , cost nothing . Now a/c work .
Thanks for this useful video! Would love a specific video showing how to do it on w126, I get no air from my center vents, just defrost and side vents.
W126 300SD - Floor/Heater vent vac pod has become disconnected from the driver's side floor/heater flap. Is there a way to repair this without taking out the console? The pod works.
Hi Pierre, I'm hoping you can help me with my 99 Mercedes benz sl500. The center vent doesn't work. Only the side vents and the defrost vent blow air when I turn on the AC. I have seen your videos but not seen any videos on TH-cam addressing this issue. This one guy said he found out it was the Vacuum Distribution Block, but did not show a video. Can you please help?
Hello, Joe Pacheco and thank YOU so much for your question(s), we want to answer you as quickly as possible. By signing in our Patreon www.patreon.com/thomaspolk page and making a donation of $10 your are assured of a 24 hour email response from Pierre. If you are already a $10 member please mention along with your question.
Good Afternoon I have a 1985 300SD. There has been a front end alignment however the steering wheel is off center by 5 -10 degrees to the left. What is the problem?
If you have an older car wouldn't it be better simply to try and retrofit the entire damn system to manual? None of this stupidly over complicated badly engineered junk on my 240D. Or on early 116's or 107's for that matter. Obviously it would require the vehicle being off the road for a while but surely the end result would be worth it?
Nice. I am not aware of anyone else on TH-cam ever addressing this issue.
On my 107, 117, I ran a remote vacuum pod with a cable to center vents,
I find pulling the dash on my 107 relaxing, like going to the dentist to get my gums scraped.
This was cathartic. Having replaced all six actuators on my 126-without pulling the dash-I can relate to this entire video. I figured if I'm doing one or two, I might as well do all six. It was, without exception, the most painstaking thing I've ever done on a car; however, since I'm but a novice mechanic, that's not really saying much. Two weekends in a hot, Southern Cal garage in July of 2018 were dedicated to the job, and my car was a mess that gave me anxiety to even look at. A headband with a light in it, keeping the sweat out of my eyes, and trial-and-error with threading those damned ferrules was almost more than my patience could muster, and getting the actuator out from near the gas pedal was a total PITA. I probably did some of these things the hard way, but that Eureka! moment when it was all put back together and my center vents worked again for the first time in a decade was better than sex.
Doing the evaporator/pod replacement on a W124 soured me on wanting to own another W124. Such an annoying job and some of the pods are completely NLA at this point with no direct replacements that I know of, I bought the last stock of one type when I did the job last year.
Pierre always delivers.
Hello, thanks again. I will not be doing the work my self. I am tempted to bring both cars to you, lol... Thanks again.
Good video. I have that problem on my 1981 Mercedes 240d.
I replaced the pods on my 81 W126 2 years ago when I had it apart for repaint and on my 85 W123 this spring when I replaced the windshield and cracked dash, oh what fun.
Pierre, Best of Best. HVAC has never been Mercedes strong point now or in the past. On this one technology Nobody in the world does AC like American OEM. I remember reading Mercedes resisted putting AC in their cars but the American Mercedes dealers told them they would go out of business.
Thanks! Helpful!!
its so satisfying when it works like its supposed to. worth the effort to do it right.
Thanks for yet another great video, Pierre. I'm getting my money's worth, lol! I've replaced those actuators before, but never heard about basically overhauling them with new diaphragms. Good info to know. Thanks again!
hello Pierre, im looking for some injector sleeves (part number: A1030700054) for my "w124 1990 300E" but i can't find any, my local mercedes dealer in norway said they have completely run out (NLA)
do you know where i can buy a set, or if they ever will become available again?
i usually replace the o-rings on these and that's all. are yours broken?
@@thisisnightshop2037 no they are not broken, ive pulled two of them and they are just discolored.
i want a set because i plan on keeping my w124 for a few years, just a piece of mind knowing i will have replacements, just in case these become a problem in the future
Did my center vent actuator back in 2002 before there was a TH-cam. Not easy but doable.
One temporary way to make the center vent to stay open , is to use a long thin screwdriver to pop open the flap [ it is spring loaded in the close position ] , then insert a piece of fuel hose in there , this will keep the flap open . Happy customer , cost nothing . Now a/c work .
On the positive side, at least they can be rehabilitated to working order once again. That's very good indeed.
Thanks for this useful video!
Would love a specific video showing how to do it on w126, I get no air from my center vents, just defrost and side vents.
Thanks! (W124)
You're welcome!
Working on the sunroof is a lot of fun too. You have to do it yourself.
👍Good information.
If my bank account wasn't zero I would be a supporter, lol! This is great stuff.
W126 300SD - Floor/Heater vent vac pod has become disconnected from the driver's side floor/heater flap. Is there a way to repair this without taking out the console? The pod works.
Hi Pierre, I'm hoping you can help me with my 99 Mercedes benz sl500. The center vent doesn't work. Only the side vents and the defrost vent blow air when I turn on the AC. I have seen your videos but not seen any videos on TH-cam addressing this issue. This one guy said he found out it was the Vacuum Distribution Block, but did not show a video. Can you please help?
Hello, Joe Pacheco and thank YOU so much for your question(s), we want to answer you as quickly as possible.
By signing in our Patreon www.patreon.com/thomaspolk page and making a donation of $10 your are assured of a 24 hour email response from Pierre.
If you are already a $10 member please mention along with your question.
Joe, did u ever get the center vent to work. I have a 99 SL500 with the same problem. I love to hear how it get fixed
Good Afternoon I have a 1985 300SD. There has been a front end alignment however the steering wheel is off center by 5 -10 degrees to the left. What is the problem?
whoever did your alignment did not use a centering pin to lock the steering box in dead center.
How can I contact you about a W124 center vent problem? I am not on facebook. Thanks.
thank you
Good video. I have to do this on my 126's and I am not looking forward to it!
I'd love to see a video on r107 steering box play and adjustment.
Would like to see that also on the W123 since I have a similar need on my 1981 Mercedes 240d.
i literally broke the front floor actuators just so i would get heat on my hobbit feet in my 16v
If you have an older car wouldn't it be better simply to try and retrofit the entire damn system to manual? None of this stupidly over complicated badly engineered junk on my 240D. Or on early 116's or 107's for that matter. Obviously it would require the vehicle being off the road for a while but surely the end result would be worth it?
Respekt Das Auto !
🤗
no. it's much easier to change the pods. your logic is flawed.