W124 Fresh Air Vents

[CRJ343]

I have an E220 Cabriolet - one of the last W124s.(1996)
I'm having a bit of problem with the passenger fresh air vent - very low volume.
As far as I can see the trunking is properly connected to the Air vent outlet so I'll need to check the flap control.
Unfortunately being one of later 124s it has passenger airbag so the "removal of the glove box" scenario isn't going to work.
What I'd like to know is :-

1/ Whether this vehicle has vacuum controlled vents - it doesn't have aircon
2/ Do I need to remove the airbag to get to the vent control and if so how or is there another route

 

[jasohal]

If the car has pollen filters they may be clogged and require changing - many people don't get this done and this leads to all sorts of issues with the air supply.

To check yours shine a torch through the two grills in the centre of the bulkhead when you open the bonnet to high position. ( where the wiper motor assembly is .

If the filters are there you should be able to see the colour ( new are white ) and tell if they need changing

 

[karlefr]

Hi,
I did have the same problem it was a small leak in the vacuum system in my W124. One of the headlamps was not propperly connected. Check if the lights go up and down quickly! I fixed it and all the vents worked fine after that. I had a climatic control system, might be different to the ordinary air-conditioning.

 

[CRJ343]

Pollen Filters

If the car has pollen filters they may be clogged and require changing - many people don't get this done and this leads to all sorts of issues with the air supply.

To check yours shine a torch through the two grills in the centre of the bulkhead when you open the bonnet to high position. ( where the wiper motor assembly is .

If the filters are there you should be able to see the colour ( new are white ) and tell if they need changing

Is there a common fresh air vent or is it divided.
I get an excellent flow through the centre vent and an accepatble flow through the RHS (driver's) but a puny flow on the LHS (passenger's)
When I set the distribution control to vent only I seem to get some air still bleeding through the screen demist vents - is that normal

 

[Dee-124CAB]

I know this slightly off topic, but how hard is to change the light bulbs that are in the adjusters for the fresh air vents?..... two of mine are fused!

 

[bolide]

I know this slightly off topic, but how hard is to change the light bulbs that are in the adjusters for the fresh air vents?..... two of mine are fused!

It's a piece of cake - the bulbs just push in

Unfortunately removing the vents requires you to have six hands, each small and strong. There are four catches to release then the vent pulls out - but not easily. Shine a torch in there and have a look

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk