My '99 C230 has an a/c leak. Last year it started and the dealer put in a charge and dye. Ran well all summer. This year, I had warm air coming out and bubbles in the sight glass. Took it to Goodyear and they recharged it and put more dye in it. Worked ok for a few weeks, but now I have warm air again. No bubble in sight glass though. When I took it in earlier this month, Good year said it was a leak in either a hose or compressor as they saw 2 spots under the scope. I want to get this fixed just so I can sell the car. I think I'll take it back to Goodyear, what should I ask them to do? And, if it's a compressor, how much could it cost to fix and since I want to sell the car, should I even bother or sell it as is?

Thanks,
One unhappy Mercedes owner

You have a sight glass in a '99? I'm quite surprised by that. Do you have an aftermarket receiver? Receivers do occasionally get plugged, and this could have happened to you; especially so if the shop that put it in wasn't following the correct procedures, or used substandard parts.

Matt,
Everything is stock as it came from the factory. Goodyear said there were 2 spots, one on the compressor and one on a hose. They couldn't figure out which one was leaking on which. I would take it back to the dealer (maybe) but they would probably charge me $$$ to even look at it.

Mott

This is interesting. I've never seen a sight glass in an original HFC134a system. My '96 E doesn't have one.

If you have the digital climate control unit, you should be able to extract current values and trouble codes. Use the search for the procedure. On my E, I get the current values by holding the REST button for >5 seconds, then scrolling with the two AUTO buttons. The procedure to get the trouble codes is somewhat more involved, but still takes no tools.

A 99 C230K should not have a sight glass - if he does somebody has been messing around with receiver/dryer or the hoses.

His car also has a different control head, its a more manual system and does not have the handy realtime diagnostic functions of the automatic system used on the W210's and earlier W202's.

As far as the original questions goes - your car is leaking refrigerant. If you want to fix it you have to find the leak and replace or repair the part that is leaking - its not rocket science.

If the A/C compressor is bad I'd expect to pay around 1-1.5K for materials and labor to fix it.

Maybe at goodyear they can put on a rubber compressor. What an amazing concept take your MB AC problem to a tire store.

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

Well Steve, they do good work believe it or not. And I don't have to pay $100/hr for them to come to the same conclusion that MB did. I just checked it again, now the compressor doesn't engage. Could that be due to low (or no) refrigerant or is there are fuse blown? FYI - the thing I call a sight glass is locared in front of the w/w reservoir in front of a box that has ASR (traction control?) lettered on it. And it did have bubbles in it a few weeks ago!

Of course they do, but! do you suppose they have any way of talking to the AAM for AC. Do you suppose you will get decent parts? If they do give you MB parts I'll guarantee they are more than the dealer as they work on a pure matrix pricing system I'm sure.

There are so many ways an experienced technician and service system can aid in long term cost containment and real repairs. Dealing with a generalist is a risky way to save money and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Aside from knowledgable enthusiasts worldwide, check what readers digest and consumers reports think. A independent specialist in the brand car in question will be the best risk!!

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

My indie has saved me so much time, money, and aggravation thanks to his skilled use of the SDS.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

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