Geoff

Does anyone have any specific information re: the tech bulletin on replacing the center vent bcs of windshield fogging/gassing? I know it's out there but searching only provided vague references.

If anyone can point me to the tech bulletin itself or at a bare minimum the part no for the replacement grill it would be very much appreciated.

Got my A service next week and want to get this done at the same time...along w my Porterfields, hopefully I can drive more than a block now w/out having to clean the rims.

Thanks.

mdp c230k

mbtech208 gave the part # in a post if that helps.
203 830 11 18 is the correct vent.

Geoff

Thanks, if anyone has the bulletin # or can link to the post it would be greatly appreciated.

young

here's the thread that originally talked about it. i don't think it actually mentions the id of the tech bulletin

o' where art thou dave?

i told my dealer today about it and he's looking into it. i'll keep you posted

Mark08859

What most people do, if they're not actually defogging the windshield is to simply close off the vent.

MB changed the materials used to manufacture the vent which is supposed to fix the problem. But, if you're blowing cold air directly on a hot windshield, it's going to fog up.

mdp c230k

The fogging problem is not one of condensation, but one of a chemical coating emitted from the vent leaving an oilly film on the glass whether the vent is open or not.

Buellwinkle

Based on this post I took my car in today. They gave me a loaner and promised not to just clean the fog and send me off. I gave them the part number that was posted here and they couldn't find it. If anyone finds out the TSB # or complete part # let me know.

I also complained about the stiff clutch problem that many have experienced. I get it after driving on the fwy not using the clutch and when I get off the fwy the clutch is sluggish and heavy feeling. It goes away after pumping the clutch 2-3 times.

Buellwinkle

They called me about the vent and said they ordered the new part and it should be in tomorrow morning and what they claim is different about it is the vents are angled differently. They couldn't duplicate the problem with the clutch but the service manager went out on an extended drive (I think they call it a donut run).

young

that's the part that was ordered for me. they added a color code (4 digits but i left that piece of paper at the office...) for a charcoal interior.

Buellwinkle

At my dealer you are talking about a service department that can't do a an oil change in one visit. That's why today I'm driving a really nice E320 loaner that represents my 12th one in 11 months. What I'm debating is if I should ask them to monkey with my fuel settings to compensate for the lean condition from the pulley. I think it will open up a can of worms.

speedfrk

Buellwinkle, My dealer also told me they couldn't duplicate the stiff clutch after driving it for over 1/2 hr. But I don't know if they took it on the hwy for that long, or just drove around picking up lunch and dry cleaning. He admitted they get so few 6sp in that they might not be "tuned in" enough to know what feels right. That is probably the case with all Mercedes dealers.

Buellwinkle

I didn't expect them to find it. I mainly came in for the center vent. Someday they'll have a TSB for the clutch problem.

Geoff

Thanks guys, I'm going in on Wed and hopefully they'll be able to take care of this. Gonna call on Monday and give them the part no. Hopefully should come out of my A service w the new Porterfields, this, and getting the 'No Phone' removed.

If anyone does stumble across the bulletin #, please let me know. The dealer asked for it but hopefully the part no should suffice.

Buellwinkle

The complete part number for my car (oyster interior) was 203-830-11-18-8520 and it shows .3 hours to remove and replace.

young

for a charcoal interior:
203 830 11 18 7206

viper

I am curious Buellwinkle. What is the build date of your car ?
It might help others to know they will also have this problem if their build date precedes yours.