Heating

[Brennie]

Hi
Not sure this is the right area for this but…
The heating in my 230 SL works but, has no real power.. the output is tepid, to say the least.. where should I start looking to turn up the heat.. as it were…

[WRe]

Hi
the heat output in a Pagoda is not very good in itself. This can also be seen from the fact that larger heat exchangers were available as an additional option for cold regions.
In my opinion, in order to still achieve good heating performance, it is important that the entire system works optimally, i.e.:
- a clean heat exchanger, inside and out
- a well-insulated heat exchanger so that it does not transfer its heat to the body panel.
- a well-functioning blower in a sealed blower box.

In order to achieve this, you have to dismantle the entire heating system, which is a tremendously unpleasant job.
I have done this last year and I am now very happy with the result.
- I have cleaned/descaled the inside of the heat exchanger with citric acid to remove all deposits from the last 50 years. Cleaned and repainted on the outside.
- Before installation I insulated it all around against the body.
- I have  exchanged the old sintered bearings of the blower motor with ball bearings: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=35128.msg256913#msg256913.
- I cleaned the blower box and replaced all the seals.

See also:
- https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=36073.0
- https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=30246.msg220483#msg220483
- https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=5181.msg32180#msg32180

...WRe

[rwmastel]

the heat output in a Pagoda is not very good in itself.

I disagree.  The first few years I had my 230SL I wanted to drive it every chance I got, and that included below freezing days if it was dry and no residue of salt on the roads.  (Those days are hard to find here.)  I recall the heater working great, I was very impressed by it.

Everything else in your post is spot on, with helpful links included!  I just disagree that the engineering / design of the heating is lacking.

[rwmastel]

.. where should I start looking to turn up the heat.. as it were…

Brennie,
I see you're a full member.  In addition to the links above, and any others you find by using the splendid Search feature, you also have access to the Tech Manual.
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Heating
This will give you an education on the system.

[Benz Dr.]

I found that I had to work on the heater control tap quite a bit until I was able to adjust it to full open. I also had to run a hotter thermostat in cooler weather to get full heat from the system.

[rwmastel]

I found that I had to work on the heater control tap quite a bit until I was able to adjust it to full open.

Is the "heater control tap" the valve accessed from under hood, through the cap on top of firewall?