AC problems SL 500

[Carlos Serrano]

Hello everybody, it's been a while I have a couple of questions regarding my 1999 SL 500
Do the expansion valve possibly leak?
My AC stop cooling out of the blue.
My Indie tells me that he tried to charge the system but my expansion valve is stuck and needs to be replace for $450.00
OUCH, he also tells me that that smell coming from the vents is Freon gas leaking into the cabin possibly the evaporator, 20 hrs labor $ 3000.00 plus the first $450.00 he explains to me that he will change the valve first since he knows for certain that it is indeed gone but not to get my hopes up because the odds are against the evaporator. Does this sounds reasonable to you guys
thanks

[tecqboy]

Real pure Freon has no odor. I know, because I used to use it to clean tape heads in professional TV video recorders ( era 1970 -1980 ). But your system may use some other type of refregerant which has an odor. I thought freon wasn't used much after the mid 90's.

[Carlos Serrano]

He actually use the word refrigerant, I called it freon, old school I guess. We use liquid freon out of 5 gallon cans to clean helicopter parts back in my Navy days, we used it like it was soap and water,mindfull of frostbite.

[SunGuy]

Hey Carlos,

With early summer already here in FL, I can imagine how you'd like to get this problem fixed! If this were my car, no matter how much I liked my current indy, I'd get a second opinion. If Gainsville is an option for you, Continental Imports are about as good as it gets. These guys know MB's. There are probably AC specialists that are closer, get references for a good one, and have it checked out.

Bob

[tecqboy]

For odors from the dash vents, check out the cabin air filter. These things trap dirt and debris which then gets moldy, especially in a humid climate.

[Gusfazekas]

I have a '95 and I replaced my expansion valve and compressor with the help of an ASE mechanic who does work on the side for a third of what the MBZ dealer charges. Found him on Craigslist under services. Try it in your area. The expansion valve was inexpensive and you will have to replace the drier once the system is opened up. The mechanic labor was less than $250 for all of the above and there is a lot involved with removing parts along the firewall/windshield to access the expansion valve. Good Luck, Steve