They Used R-12 In My A/c System w202

[loudandheard]

I was told a while back that I had a leak in a small part behind the dash and it would cost almost a $1000 in labor to replace a $50 part. So I told them just to refill it and they did. So the air condition was working when I parked it 3 months ago, so I assumed that the refrigerant had leaked out.

I was at school and saw this shop right by it and by chance I had seen a mercedes being serviced there. So I went there to get my refrigerant refilled and I asked them to make sure that they do service mercedes and they said yes.

Well the guy comes back and says that the car was completely empty of refrigerant and should be vacumed. So I went a long with it and then he said that the compressor sounds a little rough and would be neccessary to lubricate it. I remember from reading the manual not to put mineral oil in the system or it could harm it, p136 in the manual. Well, so happens I don't have the manual with me and I can't prove it to the guy. So he reasures me that all ac systems use mineral oil and I even make sure to ask him about mercedes and again he assures me. I just figured I had read the manual wrong and since he had worked on previous mercedes, he was right. I am also desperate to get my ac refilled because traffic in Houston is dense and very, very hot.

So I wait there for two hours waiting for it to be done, so I walk outside to see if there is a problem. The guy says that I have a voltage problem and that the compressor does not want to work. He has a very low-tech voltage tester that lights up when voltage is present. He shows me at a fuse that it is bright and when connected to one of the connection of the compressor it is dim. I saw it for myself, so I told him I'll take it home and figure out what the problem is.

So I spend $90 bucks for nothing and have to wait in the scorching heat for about an hour all the way home from school without any ac what so ever. So I check the manual when I get home and I turns out I was right. Could the real problem be that they used R-12 mineral based lubricant or could it just be that the voltage was really low. The ac was on mind you. What should I do to solve this problem, I'm afraid that my whole ac system might have gone to crap because of that guy. I'm hoping if that's the case he will need to cover the expenses and I know that might not work. I do have the proof of work he did.

[1991300SEL]

Originally Posted by loudandheard

I\. What should I do to solve this problem

You have 2 options.

a. take it back
b. find an MB mechanic who knows what he's doing.

[rdanz]

I would go back to that plave and "demand" that they fix it for free being that that used the wrong oil. Be firm

[jbaj007]

IMHO:

For $90, do NOT go back there. Just write it off. On a 202, with folks who don't know what they are doing, you could end up with $2K in A/C repairs in a blink.

Get to a good A/C shop for recovery, flush, diag., leak test, vacuum recharge.

[1991300SEL]

Originally Posted by rdanz

I would go back to that plave and "demand" that they fix it for free being that that used the wrong oil. Be firm

Oh yeah......demand.

That always works...." I demand "...that will scare the hell out of that mechanic.

The advise in the previous post is good. You're out about a hundred bucks. Consider yourself lucky. Cut your losses and go to a legit shop. May be easier said than done, but the idiot who worked on it the first time isn't likely to do any better the second time.

You're in Houston. Consider the recommendation made in the following thread by Steve Brotherton. Good Houston shop.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=12933&highlight=houston

[rdanz]

The reason you "demand" that they fix you car for free is that if putting in the wrong oil damaged your system in anyway why should you have the added expence of maybe replacing the compressor. I personally wouldn't let them get away with poor work at the very least they should refund your money if your not comfortable with having them do any other work. If they are not told about there mistakes they will just keep on screwing up other peoples cars. Hold them responsible. Don't just walk away. Your not the one who his wrong.

[loudandheard]

Will I talked to a friend of my dad's, which is an ASE certified master, and he told me that I would have to have the compressor R&I, which I assume is remove and install. Then they would need to empty the oil out, benzene flush the system to remove the mineral lubricant out of the compressor, relubricate it with the PAG-R134, and then recharge the system. The total for a job like that at a resonable hourly rate is a little less than $600 and that just a rough estimate from the top of his head, which could be cheaper or more expensive.

He told me that that if they say that they provide a service, they are lawfully obligated to fix the problem they caused. I will not owe any money and no one will have the same problem that I had. Mind you, I saw another mercedes there. I'm only a college student and to afford something like that would kill me. I did ask to make sure that they did provide service to mercedes and I did try to tell them that my car did not use mineral based lubricant. I was not definite, so I thought he knew what he was talking about since I saw a previous mercedes there. I was misinformed by the individual, I should have known better, but I was desperate and it was close by my school. I will go find out what lubricant they used on my system and take a picture of it and then I will inform him of the problem. I hope it goes well.