190 Interior Dashboard Remove & Refit

[Cossie 2.5]

Hi,
Can someone please advies me.... It would appear that i have a leak from my heater matrix (coolant under passenger footwell) and I have been informed by a specialist dealer that the entire dashboard needs to be taken out to replace the part... It is a Mercedes 190 2.5-16 with Aircon, now I can imagine that this is no small feat, however I have been advised that this will probably take around 14 hours! That's 14 chargeable hours (ouch)... can anyone tell me if this is a gross exageration or a realistic guess?? I am quite proficient myself so if anyone can also give me any tips on the removal and replacement then I would be happy to hear them.....
Thanks......

Also if anyone has any parts for a 2.5-16 then please let me know as I'm after the odd thing.... ASD sensors, Suspension parts, heater matrix!, 16" wheels or evolution 17" alloys, Full leather door cards, diff.... etc....

 

[design guru]

Quite Easy with Manual

I once had to change my heater matrix on my 1991 190E and belive me unless you have a haynes manual its very stressful, the manual will make it easier. I would say 14 hours is reasonable for this job, but it will save you in the region of £1000 in labour cost so it is worth the effort and parts would set you back maybe £20- manual, about £50 - Heater Matrix.

I have sold my 190E 4 years ago but it saved me alot of money doing this job myself. Just be carefull as Heater control switches very fragile.

 

[bazza]

LHD but it is scary. Check the seals where the pipes enter the matix. These leak and look easier to change.



Bazza

 

[Cossie 2.5]

Thanks for that.... As soon as I can take the car off the road for a week I'll give it a go! Any other tips more than welcome....

 

[stwat]

I had a leak with mine just like yours(coolant under pasanger footwell) and as a short term fix, i put some rad weld in the system thinking it wouldnt do much. The leak stoped and has been fine ever since(two months now).

Its worth a try and a hell of a lot less hastle/cost.

Stu

 

[Cossie 2.5]

stwat, thank you so much! As with yours, it does appear to have fixed the problem, for the moment at least!
Great tip! :bannana:

 

[stwat]

No problem, glad i could help. Mines been fine for months now but i do intend to fix it properly sometime this summer. Its just the thought of taking the dash off that scares me to death. I did have it booked in at a garage to do the job but he rang me at the last min to cancel the job saying it was too big a job for him to do (and this plonker has a sign outside his workshop claiming to specialise in mercedes!!!) That was why i ended up using the rad weld just to buy some time(and to stop my carpets turning antifreez blue!!!!!)

btw, mine was even leaking into the rear footwell from the heater pipe under the seat .

Stu