W210 a/c warm-up

[stuartmac]

Hi,

2000-reg W210 E320CDI estate with a little over 150k on the clock.

How far should I expect to drive before the air-con starts blowing warm air?

Reason I ask is I've a '98 CR-V that's blowing hot air by the end of the road (less than 1/2 mile) from a cold start, whereas the Merc has to travel around three miles (at town speeds) before I feel any warmth. Have to say it's always been that way since we got the Merc in August 2007, just the recent extended cold weather has really highlighted the problem.

Regards,

 

[jberks]

The 320cdi should have a pre-heater that fires up when you start the engine and helps it warm up. (modern diesels don't warm up very well so need a helping hand in cold weather). Hence, my E270cdi is blowing warmish air within 60 seconds - not toasty but enough to start melting the ice on the windscreen. Hot air I start to see after maybe a mile or so.
How long after you set off are you getting warm air?

 

[Rory]

In my C Class (C270CDi) the heater booster has to be set using the cluster computer - it's either off, auto (works below 8C, I think) or selectable to be on or off using the a/c switch.

It does take a fair bit of warming up though.

Maybe your car has a similar set-up?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

According to my experience with the 320cdi the ac does take a couple of miles to push out warm air. Make sure that the auxiliary heater is turned on. The auxiliary heater switch is situated behind the ashtray cover and is in the 'ON' position when the switch 'RED' lamp is off. The heater does make a difference but not a lot and comes on automatically when the temp is below 7degrees C.

Hope this helps!

 

[G-a-r-y]

I may be able to help, I recently had the aux heater replaced on my 2000 W210 cdi. I checked and it wasn't working. Mercedes were offering labour @ £40/hr and 10% off parts so I took advantage. The unit (electric on early models ) was replaced and now when I start the car at temperatures of below 5c the unit operates. You can tell if it's working from the change in engine tone. There is a switch next to the cigarette lighter which, when turned off increases the engine speed momentarily (no load on the alternator).
The heater warms within exactly 5 Min's.(just leaving my estate).
The unit runs directly from the alternator so it's easy to check on a cold morning. There is an electric water pump which needs to run in conjunction with the heater unit because the cars thermostat will still be closed. If this pump is seized (common fault) you will also get no heat when cold or from using the "rest function" So, if your rest function works your pump will be OK.

 

[Rory]

Why on earth doesn't MB fit all cars with the PTC element air heaters that A Class diesels have? Had one of these on a cold (but not freezing day) and it blew warm air out all but instantly.

 

[jberks]

checked mine out this morning. Air above the outside temp was available almost immediately. Within 1 mile / 2 mins with a -3 outside air temp, the engine temp gauge was reading 50 degrees with plesantly warm air blowing through.
I should add that it was garaged overnight so it started at +5 but even so it's quite impressive.

 

[stuartmac]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. Yep, the auxiliary heater isn't working - the light comes on when you switch it off (MissusMac ) and, naturally, the fuse is fine. :roll:

Gary: how much was yours to fix? My local dealer has the same deal on parts and labour, plus I'll check with the indy that looks after the car for me.

Regards,