caddyowner

The replacement of the evaporator core in this Mercedes is a good example of how NOT to design for serviceability. This car will probably never be the same again after all this. (Turn speakers way down.)

RXSF

looks like an early 2000s S class...w220? Probably had a bunch of rattles to begin with

rominl

iTrader: (4)

haha my god. i suppose mb thinks that's one part that no one should ever need to replace

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

That is a ridiculous amount of work, hate to know how much that bill was.

and I actually turned up my speakers lol

spwolf

thats why I laugh at that guy making videos of Camry where interior parts are easily taken out, thinking thats bad design, when in fact it was designed to easily be disassembled... Germans are notoriously hard to take apart, when I had alarm shop, many BMW's had marks around doors where someone previously didnt know how to take it apart without stratching.

People would be surprised how often dealers will take apart half of the car.... we did it so often for accessories installations like bluetooth or parking sensors.... literally half of the interior goes out for official parking sensors.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Just for everyone's information, replacing evaporator core is a major PITA on pretty much any car! Its not much easier to do it on a Lexus either.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Here's a fellow CL member replacing it on a 2nd generation Lexus GS.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...iy-w-pics.html

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

God I feel tired just watching the video.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

good, thanks for answering my question earlier on

Och

iTrader: (3)

Technically the evaporator core should never be replaced, if you properly maintain your cooling system. Using quality coolant designed for your vehicle, not mixing different types of coolant, diluting coolant with distilled water only, etc.

adamls2

Holy dismantling Batman!!!

LeX2K

What an absolute fluster cluck of a job that was. I have to hand it to the tech, that takes incredible patience and skill to tackle a job like that.

IS350jet

Yea, I agree. I work for Lexus and this is pretty much the same protocol.

My0gr81

Evaporator core is part of the AC system, no? Nothing to do with cooling, which is where the radiator and the coolant comes into play.

Fully agree that evaporator should never need replacing, but some manufacturers did not build enough fresh air flow and drainage that in turn allows mold and fungus to grow. This creates a bad smell, and also a health hazard that can only be remediated by replacing the core. Mostly a design defect, than a lack of maintenance.

Och

iTrader: (3)

LOL, I mixed up evaporator core with heater core.

In any case, it is basically the same procedure to replace either of the cores.

My parents actually own a W220 S-class, and that car does indeed suffer from the design fault you've described, its a very common problem on these cars for the AC to start smelling like cat ****. However spraying two cans of lyson into the air intake usually solves it for a few month to come.