smoke from vents - leaking coolant from heater

[gyaalu]

My 190E has the fantastic feature, that when you turn on the heater or the air blower, smoke might pour from the vents.

of course when it first happened, I panicked, but then realised it wasnt on fire.
luckily, summers nearly here, but the winter has been mean.

seems to be a coolant leak from somewhere behind the dash, I think its then dripping onto the hot pipes, and smoking from there.

its probably beyond my capability or patience to take the whole thing apart, unless its a known problem, so I can just head for the part that needs fixing.

thanks,

chris

 

[Richard Moakes]

Is it smoke, ie. electrical or is it steam from leaking coolant?

Likely to be an unpleasant job either way, time to talk to an independant merc service garage.

Richard

 

[aaron6155]

if you have air con its possible its the gas leaking into the heater box or the system over cooling and freezing the pipes, other wise more than likely a coolant leak in your heater matrix and the smoke your seeing is antifreeze on the hot pipes! both are a majors job to repair though.

 

[gyaalu]

Thanks, and no aircon by the way.

I've traced the leak back as far as i can, certainly does seem to be coolant.

think its running down (from somewhere unseen) onto the inlet pipe from the bulkhead, which when hot turns it into steam/smoke/fumes.

there seems to be a heat exchanger of sorts right in the middle on the bulkhead, so it looks the likeliest candidate so far.

was just wondering if it was a known problem, and in honesty hoping someone would tell me some easy remedy which saved me taking the car to bits.

so yes, seems you were right on track - unfortunately.
cheers,
chris

 

[Coolish]

My 190E has the fantastic feature, that when you turn on the heater or the air blower, smoke might pour from the vents.

of course when it first happened, I panicked, but then realised it wasnt on fire.
luckily, summers nearly here, but the winter has been mean.

seems to be a coolant leak from somewhere behind the dash, I think its then dripping onto the hot pipes, and smoking from there.

its probably beyond my capability or patience to take the whole thing apart, unless its a known problem, so I can just head for the part that needs fixing.

thanks,

chris

Hi Chris

i just seen the thread. I hope youre ok. I just joined and have the same problem. smoke under glove box and vents. I found some coolant when I lifted passenger side carpet. Did you sort this and what problem did you find. I’m dreading its not going to be expensive.
thx

 

[mioba]

Chris has not been on for 18 years. I would say it is the heater core sprung a leak based on what he said / location.
Good luck keep us posted!

 

[star]

It could be the heater matrix or the seals on the ali pipes that bolt into the matrix.

 

[rayhennig]

It could be the heater matrix or the seals on the ali pipes that bolt into the matrix.

Very likely. It happened to my son's 190D. Very easy fix!!!



RayH