Fresh Air Scoop - Mystery Plate?

[bpossel]

Hello All,

I am in the process of replacing the rubber seal on the fresh air scoop and also the fresh air filter.

While I have it all apart, I have noticed that there is a metal plate inside the scoop well area that is totally loose, just laying against the heater core.  Refer to the attached picture.  The arrows point to the metal plate in question...

What is the internal plate for?  Is it supposed to be floating loose or should it be attached?  If attached, to what and how?

Thanks for clarifying this mystery plate...

Regards,
Bob

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bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[DavidAPease]

Hi, Bob,

I have a vague memory that perhaps James Huber was the first one I heard comment on this piece of metal, through I have since removed one from my car as well.  It is a plate that was originally attached to the top of the heater core.  It probably provides some slight protection to the top of the fins, but its removal doesn't seem to have affected anything in my car.  (The alternative seems to be to remove the core and have the plate reattached.)

-David Pease
'66 French 230SL

[jeffc280sl]

The metal plates are part of the fresh air/heating system.  There should be rubber covers on them to help seal the air when open or closed.  The plates move up and down based on the levers inside the car.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[jeffc280sl]

Found a pic of the flaps and controls.  I think this is what you are talking about.

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Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[bpossel]

Jeff,

Thanks for your post.  I have the flaps that you refer to.  They are attached to the interior controls.  There are 2, one flap for each side. My flaps are not visible in the picture that I attached because they are open all the way and are hugging the top of the chassis.  The metal plate that I am referring to, actually sits below these flaps.

David, thanks for your reply. This makes sense.  I did a search for similar post from David, so far, cant find.

Regards,
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[jeffc280sl]

Bob, The metal piece is a cover for the edge of the heater core.  Now that I look more closely at your pic I can see it.  Mine came off exactly the same place.  When I had the heater core out I soldered the plate back on to the core.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[66andBlue]

Bob,
I also had this problem on my 230SL.
But I am not sure whether there are plates on BOTH ends of the core. Mine has only one metal cover and the other end had only a layer of foam without the metal cover. See pictures in this topic:
http://sl113.com/forums/index.php?topic=5181
When you replace the foam make sure you get the high-temp foam. I can also send you sufficient material to cover both ends.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[bpossel]

Hello Alfred,

Your attached post with pictures show this plate exactly!
Mine does have foam on one side and while trying to reposition the plate, it just crumbles into dust.

So, just to clarify, does this plate reside between the top of the heater core and the chassis?

I dont think I want to tackle the removal of my core just now.  Maybe like David mentioned....  it's not really needed?  What could be the issue with not having this in place?

Thanks for the reply!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by bpossel

... So, just to clarify, does this plate reside between the top of the heater core and the chassis?

No, it is not between the chassis and the core. You would have to pull the hoses through the firewall to get it loose from that spot. There is only a foam layer on that side (at least it was on mine).

quote:What could be the issue with not having this in place?

Don't really know but the imprints on the foam layer lead me to believe that it is for protecting the fins against damage by the rotating "half-circle" flaps that direct the air flow. The foam cover on the cover plate is on the outside, NOT between the cover and the core.
Perhaps you can glue the cover back on until you are ready to take the core out?

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Cees Klumper]

This metal plate came off on my heater core as well. It's now hanging in a prime spot over my workbench. Not sure if not having it would affect the heating capacity any, but that capacity is not very impressive in my case.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[bpossel]

Thanks Cees, Alfred, Jeff, David!

I think I will just remove the plate and hang in my garage, like Cees.  When I pull my heater core out, sometime in the future, I will have it reattached then.  Gernold also mentioned to me that he didn't think removing it would have any significant effect on heating.

Regards,
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[bpossel]

Hi All,

Removed the 2 air flaps and thought that I would post a picture of the plate.  This plate should be attached to the heater core.  I have removed and will keep until I redo my core, then have it re-attached.
Have removed all the old rubber around the flaps and am awaiting new rubber.  Will also replace the heater core valve o-ring at that time also.
Regards,
Bob

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bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[rmmchl]

my plate came loose from one side. It was some kind of kind of tack weld from the factory. I used JB weld putty and put it back on my heater core. That was 10 years ago. Glad to hear that if removed it wouldn't hurt anything. Everything about the ventilation system on this car is of poor design. A real weak link for German engineering

[sjiatrou]

Question on the fresh air filter: where can I get a new one?  

Thanks,
Steve

Steve Iatrou
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[rwmastel]

Steve,

Just about any MB part supplier.  Check our database of MB specialists:
http://www.sl113.org/data/show_table.asp?table_name=usr_parts_and_service_suppliers

Also, check your local MB dealership.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420