AC malfuntion??
 

Hello,

I am a first time E300 TD ('98) owner and new member at this board. Very pleased to see so many Diesel enthusiasts on this board.

Recently, the AC in my car has started giving problems. It cools for 2-3 minutes and then gradually starts blowing hot air (stops cooling).

Any suggestions, where to look for problems or how to troubleshoot ??
Thanks in Advance!

I had a similar problem in my '82 300D. The a/c would work fine for a few minutes, then the compressor would cut off causing the fan to blow ambient air. The problem turned out to be a malfunctioning low temperature cutout switch. The switch was intended to prevent the system from freezing, but it was tripping at a much-too-high temp. (The '98 may or may not have such a switch.)

Its got to have set some codes. I'd start there.

Like the tech said, check the codes. It could be as simple as a belt or clutch slipping. If they slip they may get hot, that may be a clue.

Here's an AC question, the place we got my car from, a dealer in PA, when he got the car his shop recharged it with R134a when the system was still running (and working!) on R12, so he messed it up, on the way home the compressor seized and now it doesn't work (it was stalling the engine at idle if you let the compressor try to engage, so I removed the belt and the cord for the clutch)....I am curious as to what I'd have to do exactly to get it working again, obviously a compressor, but would I have to replace anything else? the clutch is probably toast too, but otherwise I don't know what would need replacing. I'd prefer to have it running on R12 once repaired, if possible....I suppose 134a is ok but I hear it doesn't run as cold. My dad's 83 has a functional R12 system and it gets real cold, but now it needs a recharge, its only getting cool right now. Any suggestions? I'd like to have AC.....

I have some advice concerning R134a. Don't even think about it!!!
As far as the compressor/clutch goes, new (or overhauled) compressors generally come with the clutch.

Hey,
When a compressor goes it fouls the whole system.
You need to replace the compressor, condenser, filter dryer, and expansion valve.
The cooling coil gets flushed along with the liquid and vapor lines.

I don't understand how he got the 134a in there in the first place. this doesn't sound like an honest mistake, it sounds like an idiot mistake.
I hope the dealer is paying for all this!

Danny

All of this would cost how much..... :eek: I'd love to have A/C but if it'd cost more than around 1k to 1.5k I'd not be able to do it.....sigh :(

I just added up some of the stuff on fastlane.....for the three parts w/out a compressor it looks to be around $650 :eek: Then there's the labor to have it installed.....or would I be able to install the stuff then have someone charge it up? :D Is that possible?? :D :D

You'll never walk out of any air conditioning shop for less than $1,000.

You shouldn't be paying for this anyway.

Danny

For the couple of hours during the summer you get warm weather in MI I wouldn't bother....

Guys,

Thanks for the tips, gives me few starting points!

Yeah I hope its not a real hot summer this year....since I'm not planning on fixing the A/C.....the destruction of the A/C happened long before I got the car, so there's not really anything I can do about it or anyone I could make pay for it....its just how it was when we purchased it. At least my heat works fine...thats the important part here in MI :eek: :D Perhaps someday when I win the lottery I'll redo my A/C....and many things.... :D

So it's okay to just flush the evaporator, but it is necessary to replace the condenser? Flushing the condenser won't work?

Yeah, why can't you replace the compressor, dryer, and expansion valve...and flush the rest?? And...we do happen to get a bit more than a few hours of heat up here....it gets real Humid and mid 90's to around 100 quite often in July....the humidity makes it terrible, if it was a dry heat it'd be ok, but its not, its real real sticky. I'd just like to have A/C again at as little expense as possible.... :rolleyes: