Recirculation ventilation flap motor
Mine was not doing what it should, so I took it out (the black attachment at the side of the air vent box, under the bonnet). Undoing the 4 screws that keep the case shut, showed an interior with some substance that was inhibiting the motion of the gears.
After some cleaning and disassembly, and lubrication (PTFE wd-40-like spray), it was put together again, and worked a treat!
Having some experience with a similar function piece in a '99 volvo, it was amazing how different the construction of the two is! I initially enquired with MB about the part, and changed my mind about ordering it when they said £70+! So I thought why does a small part like that cost so much?! Well for a start, most of the gears are metal, not plastic (which broke in the Volvo). The casing is also pretty advanced, with metal tubular inserts in the eyes of the plastic holes for attachment, which gives it more strength. The best thing about a solidly-built part is that it is easier to service yourself. After cleaning, I greased the sides so it provides a sealed environment against the ingress of moisture, and hopefully extend the life a few more years.
Not sure if this part is the same as on 460s.
Mine was not doing what it should, so I took it out (the black attachment at the side of the air vent box, under the bonnet). Undoing the 4 screws that keep the case shut, showed an interior with some substance that was inhibiting the motion of the gears.
After some cleaning and disassembly, and lubrication (PTFE wd-40-like spray), it was put together again, and worked a treat!
Having some experience with a similar function piece in a '99 volvo, it was amazing how different the construction of the two is! I initially enquired with MB about the part, and changed my mind about ordering it when they said £70+! So I thought why does a small part like that cost so much?! Well for a start, most of the gears are metal, not plastic (which broke in the Volvo). The casing is also pretty advanced, with metal tubular inserts in the eyes of the plastic holes for attachment, which gives it more strength. The best thing about a solidly-built part is that it is easier to service yourself. After cleaning, I greased the sides so it provides a sealed environment against the ingress of moisture, and hopefully extend the life a few more years.
Not sure if this part is the same as on 460s.
Great! Thanks for the discovery... can you explain how to dismantle it?
Excellent! Thanks!
Just to say that, in a LHD GWagen, one has to remove the positive connection to the battery in order to remove a cover that protects the ventilation flap motor from the battery itself (see picture)
Thanks for the added info, so RHD and LHD are not quite the same in procedure. Maybe you don't need that huge battery there either :lol: , or you can replace it by two smaller ones, for accessories and all..just an idea!
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Ok here's some more detail, I finally took a pic of the general location under the bonnet, you need to disconnect the electrical plug, and undo the 3 screws that hold it to the body (I suggest using an angled screwdriver or socket wrench with a phillips attachment, as a straight screwdriver won't get in that space).
Remember the position of the lever that opens the flap, whether it is open or closed, to make sure you re-assemble it in the same position. I'm not sure how the electrics figure it has reached open/closed position, so I didn't want to mess about with it.
After removal, you'll find 4 screws that hold the cover in place. Remove them, and gently pry the cover off, as the gears (specially the plastic one) tends to fly off. Once the cover is off, remove the small plastic bit that holds the electric wire in, in order to remove the plastic gear cover underneath (see pic). That comes out by putting a flat-blade screwdriver underneath and gently lifting it up, bit by bit. I lubricated it a bit to help, but it should come out in one piece if you're careful.
The rest of the gears also come off easily enough, except that metal one under the plastic cover, I just flooded it with a lubricant and let it flow out, carrying away some dirt. A lot of turning helps the lube to get in place, mine was really stiff to turn, until after the lubrication.
Assembly is the reverse of the above, noting the position of the lever outside the case, to make sure it goes back onto the plastic tab that is connected to the flap.
I hope that makes it clearer...any questions feel free to contact me!