W209 charcoal filter

[icbatbh]

Hi all,

I want to change the filter that is activated when the following button is pressed in my CLK350:



1. Is this known as the charcoal filter?
2. Is it the one located uunderneath the glove box?
3. Do I have to go to MB to get one, or can I get one from Euro Car parts or similar?

Many thanks,

 

[IanW]

This looks like the 'Thermotronic' control panel (as opposed to the 'Thermatic' controller), which I also have. In which case, the two charcoal filters are indeed accessed from below & behind the glove box.
It's a while since I replaced mine, IIRC they weren't cheap. Also a little care is required to insert the new units in the correct orientation.
There are some 'howto' videos available - the W203 charcoal filter installation is identical.

Ian.

 

[IanW]

I realise that I failed to answer all the OP's questions, so here goes.

The two charcoal filters are accessed from the passenger footwell, with the help of a Torx T20 bit. The OE part number looks to be A 203 830 2118, Meyle equivalent is 012 320 0012/S or Clean Filters NC2372CA. Prices (courtesy of Autodoc) look to be about £40-50, hopefully for a pair rather than each! Dimensions are roughly 195x195x40 mm.
These filters are for W203/W209 vehicles fitted with the Thermotronic 2 zone automatic climate control, and appear to be the same part for lh and rh drive vehicles.
While the filter looks to be rectangular in this photo, it is actually trapezoidal.

 

[whitenemesis]

Mann filters are good
Their online catalogue has all the details along with fitting instructions

MANN-FILTER Online Catalog Europe - Vehicles Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Cabin Filter CARS + TRANSPORTERS MERCEDES-BENZ CLK (A/C209) CLK 350

MANN-FILTER Online Catalog Europe - Vehicles Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Cabin Filter CARS + TRANSPORTERS MERCEDES-BENZ CLK (A/C209) CLK 350

catalog.mann-filter.com

 

[IanW]

The single pollen filter is accessed from the engine compartment, and is fitted immediately above the battery. No tools are required. The OE part number looks to be A 203 830 0218 for rh drive vehicles (this filter seems to be different for lh and rh drive vehicles). Meyle MCF0004 or Febi Bilstein 19794. Dimensions are approximately 335x195x25 mm. Cost is about £10.
This filter is fitted to both Thermatic (single zone) and Thermotronic 2-zone climate control.

Descriptions are complicated by the fact that some manufacturers of these filters add a charcoal layer and refer to them as 'charcoal filters'. I guess that vehicles with Thermotronic (and thus full size charcoal filters) won't benefit from a pollen filter with a thin charcoal layer.

 

[Gazwould]

Where possible MAHLE CareMetix®

 

[icbatbh]

Thanks a lot for your replies. Before I spend a small fortune on these filters can somone please confirm that I have got the following correct:

If my heater control module looks like the one in my first post, then it is 'Thermotronic'. The 'Thermatic' one is completely different in that it doesn't have the LCD screen it has extra control knobs instead?

The reason I ask is because I recall seeing something from the manual with two almost idential pictures of the control module, with the only difference appearing to be the text on the A/C button. If I remember rightly, one said 'A/C rest' and the other said 'A/C off'.

 

[IanW]

If my heater control module looks like the one in my first post, then it is 'Thermotronic'.

Correct.

The 'Thermatic' one is completely different in that it doesn't have the LCD screen it has extra control knobs instead?

Correct.
See pages 156 onwards in the CLK-Class Owners Manual (assuming you have one).

If I remember rightly, one said 'A/C rest' and the other said 'A/C off'.

The 'A/C Rest' button switches A/C on and off when the ignition is on. When the ignition is off, the switch engages the 'Residual heat' function (p. 175 in the manual). This sets the blower to 'low' and an electric pump under the bonnet (circled in red below) circulates hot water through the heater matrix. By now, this pump will probably have seized, mine has.
I'm not sure that you would have seen a Thermotronic display with just 'A/C off'. To the best of my knowledge, REST is a standard feature of vehicles equipped with Thermotronic.

 

[W1ghty]

Thanks a lot for your replies. Before I spend a small fortune on these filters can somone please confirm that I have got the following correct:

If my heater control module looks like the one in my first post, then it is 'Thermotronic'. The 'Thermatic' one is completely different in that it doesn't have the LCD screen it has extra control knobs instead?

The reason I ask is because I recall seeing something from the manual with two almost idential pictures of the control module, with the only difference appearing to be the text on the A/C button. If I remember rightly, one said 'A/C rest' and the other said 'A/C off'.

If you take the filters out , they will have parts numbers on them , if that helps