I done did a dumb thing.

I agreed to replace a leaking heater core on a relative's Mercedes w202 series c230. I will be getting some compensation, but in reality its a charity job.

I think I made a mistake. Say a prayer for me, in German if possible.

Entschuldigung!

Ausfart

Depp

Wow... voluntarily doing a heater core... Chalk it up to the positive ju ju category.

Ich komme wieder!

You need a blessing and a prayer. Good luck.

Tell 'em you're protesting Ferguson and burn it to the ground.

Scheiße!

HappyAndy wrote: I agreed to replace a leaking heater core on a relative's Mercedes w202 series c230. I will be getting some compensation, but in reality its a charity job. I think I made a mistake. Say a prayer for me, in German if possible.

Not really all that bad.

The creepy part, if this is the chassis that I am thinking of, is that NOTHING holds the HVAC case in place as far as fasteners. It is just sort of wedged between the dashboard and the firewall, no bolts.

In reply to Knurled:

That's kind of like saying a cutting out a brain tumor is no big deal once you get all that other stuff out of the way.

Time lapse YouTube video of some dude that's obviously done it a few times.

This has actually been a useful tool.

Andy, it would have been easier to move when said friend wasn't looking.

Gute Reise!

Schade..

At least you have karma coming to you.

That does not look like fun.

HappyAndy wrote: Time lapse YouTube video of some dude that's obviously done it a few times. This has actually been a useful tool.

And how many of those little plastic clips snapped in half upon removal?

Uggh. My parents have the nicest '86 W124 300E on earth, and it's mine some day. It needs an evap coil. I just watched the video by the same guy doing one (with worse music than the 202 video) and I'm adjusting my expectation to ever own the car.

You are furschnorkeled.

Mitchell wrote:

HappyAndy wrote: Time lapse YouTube video of some dude that's obviously done it a few times. This has actually been a useful tool.

And how many of those little plastic clips snapped in half upon removal?

I like that he spent the first 2 hours removing everything under the hood to release 3 hoses and 2 ac lines.

After watching that I firmly believe that a heater core dying totals the vehicle. Turn it in to the insurance and buy another one.

Bobzilla wrote:

Mitchell wrote:

HappyAndy wrote: Time lapse YouTube video of some dude that's obviously done it a few times. This has actually been a useful tool.

And how many of those little plastic clips snapped in half upon removal?

I like that he spent the first 2 hours removing everything under the hood to release 3 hoses and 2 ac lines. After watching that I firmly believe that a heater core dying totals the vehicle. Turn it in to the insurance and buy another one.

That's what 100K miles of W124 ownership taught me. The part in question may only have 6 fasteners holding it in, but there are eleven-teen other parts that have to be removed to get at it. Once you're in there, you do realize though, that there was a lot of engineering that went into the car. It's impressive.

Mitchell wrote:

HappyAndy wrote: Time lapse YouTube video of some dude that's obviously done it a few times. This has actually been a useful tool.

And how many of those little plastic clips snapped in half upon removal?

Only a few under the hood, the plastic interior trim was another story altogether.

DrBoost wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Mitchell wrote:

HappyAndy wrote: Time lapse YouTube video of some dude that's obviously done it a few times. This has actually been a useful tool.

And how many of those little plastic clips snapped in half upon removal?

I like that he spent the first 2 hours removing everything under the hood to release 3 hoses and 2 ac lines. After watching that I firmly believe that a heater core dying totals the vehicle. Turn it in to the insurance and buy another one.

That's what 100K miles of W124 ownership taught me. The part in question may only have 6 fasteners holding it in, but there are eleven-teen other parts that have to be removed to get at it. Once you're in there, you do realize though, that there was a lot of engineering that went into the car. It's impressive.

An access hatch under the dash or through the firewall would have been far more impressive.

So, I'm calling the battle of w202 heater core a victory. 2 solid days, including a short cut that let me pull the core with out completely pulling the heater box out, or disconnecting the AC lines.

Next time I'll take the pack up and move, or Ferguson protest option.

Oh I'm not saying the Germans engineered it for ease of service. Far from it. My theory is this: all German cars are maintenance-intensive. I think the German people expect service to be a big deal. So, they don't think twice when they see large labor times for every-day jobs.