W124 230E heater valve weeping again - 1989 - third time in 4 years - what gives

while im thinking of it.

heater valve weeping AGAIN. mrs B walked into the garage Saturday and said her shoes felt wet then she goes no the floor is wet. So we both look down and yep. fucking heater valve. Third one in 4 years. third.

First one was the original Behr that came out 2018 when i finaly did it, that was the factory one from the build year and it lasted forever. Replaced with new Behr 2018, lasted to 2022. Replaced again 2022, now 2026 and dripping. on Mrs Bs shoes.

Quick questions for the boys before i order another one:

1. Is the Febi version any better then the Behr or is it just the same shit relabelled, anyone tested both side by side

2. Am i doing something wrong on the install, clamp torque, hose ID etc. I follow the WIS procedure every time. Could the WIS itself be missing something the boys know

3. Has anyone in NSW had a heater valve last more than 4 years on a daily driven W124. Anyone

Hose is Cohline 2240 5/8 both sides, OEM clamps not the worm screw type, coolant is the proper Mercedes G11 blue nothing added.

cheers

Vasilios is correct re the diaphragm change. one more thing..

The Werkstatthandbuch service bulletin TIN-2018-W124-CL-04 documents the supplier-side change but does not acknowledge the implications for service life. Frustrating with the post-2015 Mercedes service-bulletin program in general - the bulletins document what was changed but not the consequence for owners. We must learn that from forums like this oone..

For my own cars I use only the Classic Centre Stuttgart reissue. The cost differential pays back at the second replacement that is avoided.

One more thing Berny - if Mrs B has been smelling the coolant for some time before the floor was wet, the carpet underlay is past saving. the W124 sedan jute padding holds moisture thru the lining. Pull it out, dry the floor, fit new padding before the new valve. Otherwise you will have a permanently damp passenger footwell and Mrs B will not be pleased.

Vasilios, Hugo - cheers boys..

Ordered the Classic Centre unit through MB Sydney service this morning.. they reckon 3 weeks. Will pull the carpet padding this weekend like Hugo said. Mrs B is happpy that we are finally doing it properly.

Confirm i need new spring clamps too? Old ones have been on there 4 years now, dont want to bring them across to the new valve and have the next failure be the clamp not the valve.