Hi guys! does anyone know how to replace the interior air filters on the heating and cooling system? On mine when I start up the air con there is a musty smell and the bottom half of the windscreen fogs up for a few seconds, I fear the filters need changing? If anyone knows the percedure It would be much appreciated!

 

The cabin air filter(s) is situated behind the glove box in the fascia. Not sure if you need to enter via the glovebox or from underneath on the w203.

It quite straightforward anyway. To access the filter element you need to slide the "locks" on the plate that holds the filter in place.
If you don't have any joy from somebody else i will look up the answer in WIS for you but I have to get my other computer up and running and thats a big problem.

A dirty filter shouldn't make the car smell. Some models have active charcoal filters to remove tobacco smoke.

Musty smell!
Maybe your AC drain is blocked. This possibility is also supported by the fact that you get mist on the screen at startup. Some mist is normal after the aircon has been in use and you have stopped for 30mins or so due to the condensation on the evaporator but not when starting say first thing in the morning.

Not sure where your drain is but it is either at the bottom (lowest point) of the AC unit or alternatively it is at the bottom of the air intake plenum situated at the back of the engine compartment department on model etc. Most likely the latter and it is filled up with pine needles etc.

Stuart

 

Thanks Stuart for your speedy reply, My car is the W210 model.I was told previously that there was a charcoal filter behind the glove box but where is the other and are there more then 2? Gonna look for the pine needles, I live in front of a huge forest.....Thanks

 

Hi Sean,
There will only be a pollen filter and an active charcoal smell absorber. Sometimes two filter elements are used adjacent to one another dependent upon air flow. Sometimes there isn't an active charcoal filter.

If you live near a forest I'm sure your problem is a blocked drain. A filter won't smell UNLESS it is wet.

Unfortunately my cars SLK and S class aremost likely different to your installation so a photo isn't much help.

Do you have a vent at the back of the bonnet? If so this is where the needles get in. Put the hood up and look down into the plenum chamber. Can you see water?

Stuart

 

Yep! it sure was blocked with twigs and leafs and mud, I thought the Beavers had moved in! anyway the window is'nt fogging anymore I will change the filters though....Kind regards Sean