Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-13-2007, 12:29 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 5
94 C280 A/C problem, please help !!! it's 105 out there!

I have a 1994 C280. A/C has always been fine. I had it checked about 10 days ago, because it was not as cool as it used to be and we're having a heat wave & temps around 105 in NC. The shop told me they put 2 lbs of freon in it and I might have a small leak on the evaporator core. After I got it back from the shop, it was cool for about 2 days and now nothing ! it just blows regular air, no matter what temp I set it on. The shop said the evaporator needs to be changed, therefore the dash has to be taken out, and it'll cost $1,500 - $2,000...
I've gone thru many posts on this forum this time and in the past and decided to join to get another opinion. Any suggestions about what could be the problem ? I just know enough about cars to be able to change the oil , but if there are some things I can check to isolate the problem, I can do it. I read about Klima ? relay ?, accumulator with a cracked sight glass that resulted in the same problem I have,... what else ? Thanks

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-13-2007, 01:20 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 23
sounds like a pretty cut and dry leak to me. I cant help you troubleshoot where the leak actually is. In regards to the klima, If it blew cold after a recharge and and now warm, I am pretty sure it would have nothing to do with the klima relay
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-13-2007, 01:27 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 5
Thanks Chrislk02. So you think it's the actual evaporator core that needs to be changed ? I looked thru the sight glass on the accumulator this morning and when I turn on the A/C, I can see some liquid down there moving. Should it not be completely empty if it leaks that much ?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-13-2007, 03:58 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 393
Did the a/c shop charge your system with stop leak ? This is a heavier grade oil and would make your freon last a little longer, try it may get you thru the summer.
__________________
Saumil S. Patel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-13-2007, 04:41 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 5
I don't know if they did. All I know is that it's blowing hot air this afternoon. It's just strange how it got messed up so quickly after they put the 2 lbs of freon in it. Should I take it back and ask them to add stop leak and freon in the system ? Would stop leak prevent a leak in the evaporator core ?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-13-2007, 06:21 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 393
Stop Leak seals the joints better, if the hole is large, nothing works for a long time, but stop leak should work better than the rest of the oils.

Hope this is a a/c shop and not a generic mechanic, the a/c shops normally would have recommended stop leak or some variant. You should ask them and try refilling it with stop leak.
__________________
Saumil S. Patel
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-13-2007, 09:39 PM
benzfan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Toronto
Posts: 277
It's interesting that they put 2lb in. The 96 C280 (and my C36) take 1.1lb. I wouldn't have thought your system would be that different. In any case, the specifications should be on a sticker on the underside of the hood. I'd be curious to see what it says a full charge is for your system.
__________________
'96 C280 (gone)
'97 C36
'05 C230k
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-13-2007, 10:04 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
Yes i know all about that procedure just got done doing a 1995 E300. If they are willing to do it for $1500 you better take them up on it because it is pretty complex you have to litterally take half the car apart to do it
__________________
1987 MB 300 TD
1994 Ford F250
1995 MB 300E Diesel
1999 Ford F150 Lariat
2000 Dodge Caravan
2005 Ford F150 King Ranch
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-14-2007, 08:19 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 5
I checked the tag under the hood. It says 2.1 lbs, so it must have been really low when they added the freon. Also, I just drove the car and the low coolant level light came on the dash when I parked ? Would that have something to do with the A/C not working ? I really don't know jack about cars !
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-14-2007, 09:16 AM
wscheffer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 108
Introduce Dye Into Your System

Did they put dye in?

If not then get your system recharged and put some stop leak & dye into the system. As mentioned the stop leak will plug it if the leak is small enough if not the dye will let you know where the leak is.

Hope This Helps!
__________________
William
________________________________________
1987 420 SEL - Like a fine wine only better with age
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-14-2007, 11:30 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 5
Thank you all for your suggestions. I believe the A/C shop put a dye in it. I just found the receipt and they actually wrote "1/2 lb freon and evaporator core leaking". Don't know why the guy told me 2 lbs on the phone. Anyway, I'll try to get it recharged with some stop leak before taking the car apart. Any advice on the type of "Stop Leak" to get, that will not deteriorate in the long run ? Thank you
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-14-2007, 11:36 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 3,956
I'd recommend against using any stop-leak on it. It may plug the leak but it also could plug the expansion valve, condensor, receiver dryer (are you getting the point?). If the one shop you went to determined it to be the evaporator why not just bring it to another shop and don't necessarily tell them what the other shop said, just tell them you recently had some refrigerant added and now it is not cooling at all. Tell them you would like them to put dye (only not leak stopper) in it and find the leak then you will know if both techs independantly conclude it is the evaporator you will be pretty sure that is what is at fault. Just bite the bullet and have it fixed, don't mess around with band-aids, they cause more problems than they cure. Don't use a leak-stopper unless your goal is to get it working long enough to sell it...that's why used car dealers like that stuff.

If you are lucky they will find the leak is actually in the condensor and not the evaporator...the condensor is a MUCH easier part to replace. If it is the evaporator then $1500-$2000 is not unreasonable for parts and labor...in fact it is cheap.

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page