Is my AC working correctly??????

I have a 89 300E, I have only had it a few months so I am not familiar with how things work. The AC doesn't get cold right when you turn it on. Now our days have been 95+ with high humidity and so there's a lot of hot air in the car when I turn it on.

the air doesn't get "ice" cold until about 4 minutes of driving time, then I switch to Auto, and often then have to switch to "low" because is does get cold. But is it normal for it to take a long time for the air to get "ice" cold?

My Oldsmobile gets cold instantly and my Volvo gets cold faster than this, but is this just a Mercedes thing?

thanks for all advise and opinions.

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proud owner of 300E

[5banger]

This sounds right to me. With a new water pump and radiator, my '89 model-year 190E demonstrates the same behaviour. It should be a great car--for a 12 year-old

Cheers, Andrew Seidel.

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89 190E 2.6
83 300TD Turbo
75 240D

[Robert W. Roe]

My fan doesn't even come on for about 20-30 seconds after I turn on the climate control, unless I switch it to High Fan. It does get cold a bit sooner than 4 minutes, but not much. This is a good time to drive with the windows down to blow all the hot air out of the car. Be happy that you are getting cold air. To get mine to blow cold, I had to replace an expansion valve, 3 lb. of R12 freon and four "O" rings and the bill was close to $400. It might not hurt to get your freon level checked, because if it gets low the compressor may not start up until the pressures build up.

[jeffsr]

4 minutes for cool down from 95+ is excellent. Don't worry, be happy. The W124 A/C system can be a real pain in the butt.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

Just food for thought, but Americans may make better AC systems. Some $15,000 US Cars have better Ac systems than $60,000 MB's.

I think it is because Americans prefer AC and even ice because they can afford to as compared to Europeans. When I was in Italy AC and ice (like in a drink) were not used and were only preferred from the upper class / tourists.

Maybe and just maybe that is why your Olds gets cooler sooner - comfort is more important over here. In any case, your AC sounds fine 2 me.

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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'68 Olds 88 Convertible
'84 300 SD (sold it)