Mercedes-Benz W201 heater core leak and replacement
Mercedes-Benz W201 coolant leaking into the footwell, where is the leak coming from?
Usually from the heater core or the seals of its pipes. If the liquid tastes sweet, it is antifreeze. The heater core often leaks on the W201. The leak point becomes visible when you remove the glovebox tray.
Can a Mercedes-Benz W201 heater core leak be fixed by replacing only the seals?
Often yes. The O-rings of the heater core pipes harden and start to leak. They are on the glovebox side and in the driver's footwell, and they are worth replacing before replacing the core, because the job is easy. Depending on the core, the seal is an O-ring or a cone seal.
How is the Mercedes-Benz W201 heater core replaced?
The core is replaced from the inside, and the dashboard is removed completely. The heater unit is lifted onto a table and the housing is opened only there. The whole job takes about five hours. Replace the core seals at the same time. If the car has air conditioning, the refrigerant work belongs to a professional.