I'm replacing my blower motor today. '95 W124, E300D. What is the correct way to clean the grime off the evaporator while I have access to it?

Try a gentle cleaner like dish soap and a brush. Then rinse with a good amount of water.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

One way would be to replace it. It may not be giving you trouble, but the evaporator is known to have problems on this model. If you are tearing the dash apart, have access to it, are comfortable with A/C work, want to spend about $300 to replace it and and have the time to invest (several hours) then you might consider it.

Probably not what you had in mind - just throwing it out there.

Alternatively, just listen to what compu_85 said.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

You many want to read this recent post.

If he is headed to the fan through the dash, it's going to take him a lot longer to get there. When he does he still won't be able to remove the fan. It will give him access to the evaporator though.

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Most home improvement stores sell a/c coil cleaner in aerosol cans and/or spray bottles. I have found that it works well on automotive coils as well. Also works well on radiators.

Regular automotive cleansers. Simple Green works well for dissolving grime. Something volatile like Brake Cleaner will get oil and grease off without having to scrub. I don't think anything special is required here.

__________________
'98 E300 turbodiesel

I got some stuff recently at grainger for the house. I found that there are two types of this stuff. evaporator cleaner and condenser cleaner. The idea being that if you're going to be breathing the air afterward, you might not want to the harsh chemicals/acids that are often used in condenser cleaners.

some are designed primarily for window unit air conditioners and actually have a fragrance in them.

__________________
1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg

The "ordinary" Simple Green is quite unfriendly to aluminum.

I would not use a brush on fins ...
BUBBLING cleaners are used by pros for inside and outside coils of AC units... the non corrosive on the insides... harsher stuff on the outside...
I have not seen it except in gallon containers which you dilute some and spray on... but that was several years ago...
I would not spray anything volatile on it because it might stay in the insulation , or dissolve the insulation inside the evaporator giving you no options except to replace...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I posted in this recent thread where Compress Ignite showed pics of a W124 dirty coil and how to clean.. check it out. how to clean the evaporator fins on the air conditioner system?

The blower and the dirty side of the coil is accessed under the hood under the wiper assembly not from the dash on a w124 so dont go that way..I also dont recommend any brush to prevent damage. Mine was badly impacted and built up so you could not even see fins and 80 psi of compressed air at an angle blew the dry debris out of the fins before using the foaming cleaner.

I found instruction for blower removal here on the wiki it is for a coupe and gasser but is the same for diesel W124: http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124BlowerMotor

Hope this Helps
Arlo

__________________

W211 E550
HVAC/R Certified Technician

Everything is bigger in Texas!!!

Elsewhere, it comes in 16 oz aerosol cans.

Ha - yes, very good and thank you - you are correct and I am an idiot. Clearly I have never messed with the fan on mine. Although the PO did have the evap replaced and told me how long it took and how much he paid to have it done . Anyway lvbizbroker, listen everyone else and ignore me - I was assuming I knew where the fan was and I didn't - apologies.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman