AC air cold but car not cooling!

[benzo]

Hi,

I have mentioned part of this in another thread but I think this needs a thread of it's own.
History: Early May, after doing some work on suspension (probably not related). Noticed AC was not cooling the car enough, it was coolish but not cold. Took the car in to George Fraser's were it had a gas refill -seemed to be cooling OK after that, but not really.

The AC is only perceived to be effective when the outside temperature is not too high 21-22ish but once it starts climbing the car doesn't cool down. If you put your hand in front of the vent with the fan switch set to 4 or 5 you can feel cold air coming out , the car just doesn't get cold.

Took it back to GF who took it to an 'AC specialist' who said he could not find anything wrong with the cooling system.

I have noticed that when you press the recirculate button the force of the fan does not change. I am sure it used to blow harder when you did. I also don't think it's blowing hard enough in the first place.

When I mentioned this, they said may be I need the pollen filters replaced.

Any body got a take on this. I am tired of taking the car back and forth and don't want them to start changing this and that in trial and error.

In summers past, the AC was able to cool the car from 30C plus in a matter of minutes, now it's struggling to cool at 22C

Help before it starts getting hot again!

C180 W202 2000

 

[television]

Hi Benzo, when the air con cools at 18-20c and fails above that it normally means that it is low on gas, I have always found it to be that way

 

[benzo]

Hi Benzo, when the air con cools at 18-20c and fails above that it normally means that it is low on gas, I have always found it to be that way

Thanks Malcolm, but we just had it regassed and there were no obvious leaks....

 

[Bolide]

You can do the pollen filter yourself. Whatever happens that will help

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[benzo]

You can do the pollen filter yourself. Whatever happens that will help

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Any instructions on how to do this and how many I would need, pls. I am not very "car-hands-on" so very simplified instructions will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Andy Wr]

Check if it is condensing particular in this warmer weather, have a feel of the filter drier or the liquid line as it enters the bulk head, the big pipe should be cold and the small pipe should be warm, if the small pipe is hot this means it cannot condense the gas from an high pressure vapour to an high pressure liquid, clean the condenser coil with gunk and a pressure washer.

 

[benzo]

Thanks Andy, will do. That said, it's 25C today -took the car out and it got cool -but not cold after running the AC on an setting 4 for more than 10 minutes in such ambient temperature, I'd expect the car to be COLD.

I'll pop into local dealers today and pick up a pollen filter and try changing it myself. Found some detailed instructions on another MB forum. Will update when done.

 

[carabind]

Cool but not cold - I had that with a new peugeot a few years ago - two years on after several regasses, they finally agreed something was wrong and thenfound a leak in the condenser. If I were you I'd try and get an accurate thermometer, and measure the cold air coming out of the vents - should be in the range of 5-8 degrees at mid fan/air con on

If the temp is more than this, then go back to who gassed it and ask them to see if it is holding pressure.
If not, then a dye can be added to help find the leak.

 

[benzo]

Result! Changed the pollen filter and hey presto! Business as usual. Only need to put the thermostat midway and fan to 1 or 2 and the car is cold within minutes.

Old pollen filter was black and had leaves and debris in it.

I am sure I did not need a re-gas in the first place....

 

[anyweb]

nice one, now tell everyone how you changed the pollen filter so they'll know how to check

cheers
anyweb

 

[shadowninja]

Aye! Mine's started doing this exact thing.

 

[benzo]

nice one, now tell everyone how you changed the pollen filter so they'll know how to check

cheers
anyweb

Since you asked so 'nicely' - here it is....


http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3592

 

[shadowninja]

What happens if you just remove the pollen filter and not put anything in? Will it damage the system? I don't have any need for a filter but want cold air...

 

[shadowninja]

Anyone? Would it be safe to do so?

 

[television]

Anyone? Would it be safe to do so?

Yes you can do that as it was an option extra from new

 

[shadowninja]

ah. thanks!

 

[drbob]

Thanks Andy, will do. That said, it's 25C today -took the car out and it got cool -but not cold after running the AC on an setting 4 for more than 10 minutes in such ambient temperature, I'd expect the car to be COLD.

I'll pop into local dealers today and pick up a pollen filter and try changing it myself. Found some detailed instructions on another MB forum. Will update when done.

Could you post the instructions or maybe email them to me as I'd like to do mine before the summer kicks off (assuming the summer does kick off ;-))

 

[drbob]

Could you post the instructions or maybe email them to me as I'd like to do mine before the summer kicks off (assuming the summer does kick off ;-))

I should have read on before posting this, sorry !