W210 E430 Aircon Leak - anything obvious?
 

Hi all,

Yes I know - "it could be anywhere".... but is there any common places for an AC system to leak on a W210?

I have had a week of Mercedes HEAVEN and HELL.

HELL because my E320 got keyed, the gearbox started leaking, and I've got a droning noise like a wheel bearing...

and

HEAVEN, becuase I picked up a 2000 E430 estate to cheer me up (will sell the 320).... and the engine is just awesome....

but this quicky turned into hell, when after doing the deal.... found out that:

1. Climate control bulbs gone (easy fix)
2. COMAND not reading CDs (easy fix)
3. Missing NAV CD!
4. Missing CD Changer catridge
5. Clock, temp indicators suddenly stopped reading all pixels.
6. Other minor things not worth mentioning..

but the real hell (or very nearly) was... on the way home my plastic under-engine drip tray came loose at 110mph prompting serious airflow disturbance akin to a blowout.

Is then proceeded to bash up and down under the car at any speeds over 40mph. I suppose thats karma.

So am wading through the things I need to do.... and until today was winning.

I found out the AC has a leak.... it has to go back next week to be pressure tested with nitrogen.... so if anyone has any thoughts to where to start looking, I'd be grateful.

Cheers,

Mike
UK

The shorter hose at the compressor has been an issue with some.

Thanks very much for your reply Sokoloff... I'll pay attn to that.

The car went on the AC service system today, and it sampled 100% air... so the freon must have got out through a big enough hole to purge out the remainder.

Will fit a new dryer aswell - do you happen to know whether these are very awkward to gain access to and change?

Thanks again,

Mike

The drier on the W210 is a piece of cake. Right behind the driver side headlight.