uh oh.....my sl500's(AC) leaking dye...... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rjpeters98 · #16 09-06-2003, 10:35 PM

One last point... to get to the evap &heater core you need to pull the evap/heater case as a unit out of the car. Then you can change either or both cores on the bench. If I can help while your going through this exercise let me know.

a2aa · #17 09-07-2003, 02:10 PM

rjpeters98,

Thanks a bunch for the offer. I will keep on updating you and the other as I go through this project. Your last enrty was noted.

Regards
a2

a2aa · #18 10-01-2003, 11:40 PM

to the ongoing saga. Evaporator that I ordered came wednesday.Good thing I kinda know MBZ part numbering because this part started with a 140XXXXXX. That means it's a 140 chassis evap

I had to call these people and complain. Readily, they picked up the part and still waiting for the replacement item. For the meantime, rcvr/dryr and exp valve are here. PAG46 and vaccum servos are all in the ups truck headed to Texas. Also bought a repair manual (A/C) and a small electronic label maker by "Brother" on sale for $19.95- office depo. So I can track my way back to reality.
I'm still driving the SL due to the leak is very minimal and the weather is pleasant.

Next,......... the break down..."keep y'all intouch"

a2aa · #19 10-07-2003, 09:36 PM

well, I started on my evaporator change ,First dilema- wood consule won't budge- found out there is a screw underneath the radio w/c also requires a tool to get out. Therefore, dead stop for tonight. I have to be extra sweet to my wife so she can pass by the dealership to get these darn "radio pull out tool thingee" and the hook for the instrument cluster as well.

I had pulled the under- the- dash- cover of driver's side, center vent control, small glove compartment (which I broke a small pc. of plastic)

Climate control box came out as well.

time spent: 1hr:10min
aggrevation level: mild-moderate

Pete Geither · #20 10-07-2003, 10:12 PM

I'm watching,,,,, please keep us informed, thanks.

a2aa · #21 10-07-2003, 11:52 PM

.... used my label maker to mark wirng harness to vent, climate control unit, and just got the instrument cluster out by pushing from behind. Easiest way is work it side by side. the left( closer to the driver door) side came out faster due to my access from behind then with little help from the hole from where the center vent unit went, i was able to pursue the right(near the center of the car) side. Whalla, it's out. I think I'll stop now....for tonight. The interior is staring to look like a face w/o eyes...like in the horror films....

Intrument cluster removal:
time spent: 17 mins
Aggrevation level: none -mild

a2aa · #22 10-11-2003, 09:53 PM

.. started by removing the radio speakers. No real trick , just think like a german and you will be able to figue everything out.

The arm console came out quite easily. Remember to have the shift knob set on 1 so that the assembly will come out w/o snags.

Now the passenger bolster and airbar. This is by far was the hardest issue to remove. I actually had my head wedged way inside the bolster looking in . I believe that there is a special tool to take the airbag out first, but I don't have that so I had to wiggle my arm ( and break it in a couple of places) to get to the remaining bolts holding the bolster. Believe me, the 2 other bolts might not find their way back in there.

With the bolster out of the way, the airbag came out , It's a green and black wire with e RED connector.

the stearing wheel came out next. A torx25 was used and I highly recommend a pneumatic(air tool) to take of the main hex. I came out in 5 sec. Finally the dash came out.

I started at 6am in the morning and didn't let go until 2 pm.
THe day was exhausting but alot of things where done.

ciao

a2aa · #23 10-13-2003, 11:02 PM

today, everything came out including the evaporator box total time 8.5 hrs.

Make sure that you disconnect the heater core hoses which goes to the engine bay (3 total) to make it easier for the bow to be manipulated .

brewtoo · #24 01-01-2004, 10:44 AM

Is it over? Did you finish? Been a long time since you posted.

Everything OK?

a2aa · #25 01-01-2004, 10:28 PM

YES I DID!!!!!!! twenty six hours that's 26 total hrs on the vehicle and finally finished!! Ambient temp was 82---- vent temp with ragtop under full sun....38 degrees on stop and go traffic--Thanks for your inquiry. The copper evaporator really did work. No snags putting everything back in. For more info and pics, give me your e-mail addy and I'll send everything to you. For some reason, I couldn't post the pics on this site....I'm going to do an inservice on this r/r on our January Mercedes Benz Club meeting-- kinda out of season toipic but hey, we're in Texas. It may hit 85 degrees tomorrow. I rented the vacuum pump and didn't cost me a thing. Vacuumed it for 2 hrs and left the gauges on over night---m No changes....the system was tight! Again thanks for the inquiry-- I was going to finish the segment come late winter early spring so that many of the a/c problems are just arising for some of us- thus I would get more questions that I would be able to answer more specifically than just day by day account of the saga... But it was well worth the pain--- Emphasis on PAIN. All vacuum actautors replaced --thanks to Phil the parts man- heater core replaced; all green o-rings; rcvr/drier, exp valve; Total estimated spenditures: 900-1200 give or take. At least I know that EVERYTTHING under the dashboard is brand new.

a2aa · #26 04-19-2004, 04:54 PM

Just took the SL to a 5.5 hr rally last saturday. The mercedes BEnz club went to 3 Texas vineyards for wine tasting and winding the backroads of the Hill Country. It was a comfortable 82 degrees. Top down with A/C engaged and set @ 68. For 4.5 hrs of the trip, the A/C worked wonderfully... then 15 miles away from home, it seized blowing air. Still feeling coldness on the vents but no "air" blowing through. I assummed that one of the vacuum actuators are defective and have to open up the system again, which I was not to excited about. But after inspecting the vents, the actuators ARE working well. So I opened the hood and walla.... the high pressure side..white as SNOW...IT FROZE!!!!!!!

After letting the system "defrost" for a couple of hrs, Everything worked just fine.......

what a relief.....

HAppy motoring

psfred · #27 04-19-2004, 09:18 PM

Defective or loose evaporator temp sensor.

Peter

jcyuhn · #28 04-20-2004, 10:10 AM

And/or undercharged...

- JimY

a2aa · #29 04-20-2004, 10:25 AM

I appreciate the input. I believe it's as simple as insulation of the hoses. I forgot to put back the insulation that is around the aluminum pipe from the exp valve which is where the freezing started. I also need to seal the opening from the fire wall to the evap a bit more. Isn't there a tarlike tape that you can wrap this thing with?

Again, thank you.

a2

psfred · #30 04-20-2004, 07:31 PM

The climate control on most MB's measures the evaprator temp for temp control and freeze-up protection if the expansion valve sticks.

Check the probe (thermistor on a stick) if you have one -- sometimes you have to add grease to the hole it fits in to get good thermal contact.

If you don't have a temp sensor, chances are the expasion valve is bad -- it shouldn't let the evaporator get cold enough to frost.

Peter