The number of cars with AC in the Netherlands was very low in the past, but is increasing the last couple of years.
The Mercedes models with AC have a lot of troubles with the condensers; these condensers only last 2-3 years!!! Dirt, weather and salt accumulates behind the auxiliary fans and -frame, which causes the condenser to leak after a while... I thought that I could overcome that problem by spraying clear paint on the condensers surface and cleaning the condenser every year just before winter starts (after removing the aux. fans), but unfortunately my C250D condenser barely lasted 2 years.

Now my question: Do the condensers on US MB models fail that often as well, or is it a typical European problem?
I posted this before in the Open Discussion, but nobody replied on that question, so I am asking this again.
I will check the condenser part# with the part# in fastlane, but somehow I think that these parts will be the same...

The 1986 300SL from my mother had a R12 AC system that lasted until 2001 when she traded it for a SLK200...R12-systems seemed to last longer as the R134-systems...

Any comments, please...

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

We almost never replace a condenser. When we do, it is almost always due to some form of accident.

The only common MB condenser we use is the early 107 one that had a rubber hose made to the condenser. The replacement comes with a fitting and separate hose. Its the hose that fails.

BTW, I am in Florida where every car has A/C or it gets parked. We do not have problems with corrosion though as we are away from the coast.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

I just couldn't believe that there's a lot of corrosive matters in Netherlands...I came from Hawaii and Guam, ..our air is salty and humidity is high, ..still we never replace condensers. Maybe if you spray it with anti-rust proofing, it may be able to withstand those corrosion and last longer.

I live here up in Canada and the winters are harsh. Lots of salt in the winters on the roads. My 89, 300SEL condensor is original and the AC works. Need AC for two months in the year. Although I spray my car with oil every year before winter. This helps as the oil seeps in and slows down rust.

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SANDEEEP
89 300SEL
230,000Km

MBenz - How well are your evaporators holding up?