Author Topic: W108 Heater Levers  (Read 2189 times)

dirkbalter

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W108 Heater Levers
« on: December 17, 2023, 21:29:57 »
To the bilingual members of the forum.
The heater mechanism on my 108 needs attention. My warm / cold lever came apart, likely due to a hard moving valve in the heat exchanger.  In the hope that it is less involved than on a 113, I am looking for some basic understanding on what needs to be removed or done in order to get access to the mechanism as well as the heat exchanger?
Thank you for your help.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

badali

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2023, 22:59:31 »
You need to pick out the broken plastic then the lever will fit in the slot from the front.  It needs to be centered.  These are finicky to get the lever to tighten.  It is still better than removing the entire system.
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

dirkbalter

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2023, 16:38:07 »
Thank you.
I already spend some time trying to insert the lever back into the slots with no luck. The problem is that it will require some force to move it. I believe, to address the real problem, I need to get access to the mechanism and possibly the heat exchanger.
That's why I was looking for some bullet points on the approach.
 
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

badali

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2023, 17:42:42 »
I think the heater valve is buried deep in the under dashboard.  The heater core was built and the car was built around it.  I removed a heater core on a parts car and every thing had to come out including the steering column.  I would remove some under dash panels to see if the valve is visible first.  You may get lucky and be able to get to the valve and pull it clean it and put it back with a new o ring.  I don't remember if it was in reach...
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

dirkbalter

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2023, 18:00:52 »
Thank you. That's what I was afraid off.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

BobH

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2023, 18:07:06 »
If you do have to remove stuff for access, this might help, although it's from an earlier car, there may be similarities

http://www.jaimekop.com/2012/02/w108w109-heater-levers/

February 1965 230SL Automatic
UK delivered RHD
Papyrus white, blue hard top & hub caps
Blue soft top
Blue leather

dirkbalter

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2023, 20:36:39 »
Appreciated. Thank you.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

ja17

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2023, 06:58:51 »
On the W108 and W109 sedans the water valves are directly behind the ash tray. Remove the ash tray to view the water valves. You can also remove the glove box to gain more access.

Heater lever replacement with originals is a bit more difficult on sedans than the W113 cars. There is a hidden phillips screw on two lower controls which locks two control cables. The screws are only visilble by viewing from the outside of the car, through the windscreen and into the speaker opening (speaker removed). And then is only visible when the lever is moved to a certain position. You will see it emerge in an opening in the casting. At this point the screw can be loosened and the cable removed. In addition the top left lever on sedans is more complicated than W113 since, on sedans the heater fan switch is built into the control lever itself.

The "Durolevers" that you have, were a fix to avoid all the work of replacing the originals, but you will still need to free up your heater valves.

To free up your heater valves, drain the radiator add radiator/engine flush and water. Run engine until full engine temperature 180 f , then attempt to move the valves. The heat and flush chemicals will usually free up the water valves. You might have to let it work for a while. In the end they should move smoother than ever. Don't forget to drain the flush out and add new coolant when finished.

« Last Edit: December 19, 2023, 07:12:32 by ja17 »
Joe Alexander
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dirkbalter

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Re: W108 Heater Levers
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2023, 15:53:58 »
Thank you very much. That's perfect.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI