Aircon failed after testing by main dealership

E250_MK

Active Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2022
Messages
42
Reaction score
20
Location
Milton Keynes
Your Mercedes
E250 2012 2.1L Diesel
A strange issue happened recently. I noticed last month during one of those hot 28º days that the aircon didn't seem very cold. Time for a re-gass I thought, as it had been 2 years since it was last done. So when the car was going into the dealership for another issue I asked them to check if it needed a re-gas. After that one day the aircon was fin. A thermometer in the vents while aircon was on read 3.8º which is normal. So I began to think it was just a very hot day and might not even need re-gassing.

When I collected my car the dealership told me they did a pressure test in the aircon and found it was leaking from corroded lines, and gave a price of over £1,000 to fix. I was surprised, and decided to think it over. Driving out of the yard I noticed a new noise from the engine. When the aircon was on, there was no noise, but when off there was a vibration which I can feel in the car. I asked the dealership what had happened. They had a look under the bonnet and said it was likely the compressor bearing.

I am quite annoyed because this appears to have happened while at the dealership. It seems quite an unlucky coincidence that the bearing went while they had it for 2 days.

Am I being overly suspicious, or is this the sort of thing that can happen when they pressure test an aircon system?
 

Blobcat

Moderator
Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
40,135
Reaction score
29,749
Location
Grange Moor
Your Mercedes
R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
I’d like to think it’s a coincidence - testing systems can put them under additional strain.

Is this a garage you have a good history with?
 

Botus

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2014
Messages
6,287
Reaction score
2,486
Location
UK
Your Mercedes
S500/2010/500
there is little they could break

the bearing on the front of the ac pump is made of chocolate and the condensers leak after 9 year of gentle use - cover in salt every winter and don't wash it off every few days, expect it to die much faster
 

rifiki

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
826
Reaction score
496
Location
Worksop
Your Mercedes
CLK W209 W121190B
The AC has never been fixed on my 2005 CLK. Its's on all the time summer winter.
 

malcolm E53 AMG

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
7,509
Reaction score
5,300
I my experience A/C compressor’s bearings generally start to complain at >100k miles especially if the pressure has dropped through lack of coolant and lubricant
 

Botus

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2014
Messages
6,287
Reaction score
2,486
Location
UK
Your Mercedes
S500/2010/500
mine was gone at 50k, same location on an audi they spec a bearing 2mm wider (which is about 13% bigger) - designed to FAIL !!!
 

rayhennig

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2006
Messages
767
Reaction score
190
Your Mercedes
1991 300CE-24 Sportline
Time for a re-gass I thought, as it had been 2 years since it was last done.
This is a relevant question, I think. Not trying to hijack the thread.

2 years seems very short a time. My system was brought back to life after some years by PCS in Horndean. This was in 2018. It's still blowing cold after 5 years so I'm pretty chipper.

Incidentally, compressor is now at 470K Kms, the original one.

What is the normal interval between re-gassing?

RayH
 

NJS5

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2020
Messages
898
Reaction score
1,411
Age
82
Location
Catherington, Hampshire.
Your Mercedes
2011 R230 SL350, 2016 Discovery 4 Landmark, 1973 MG B GT V8, 1959 MGA roadster.
OP hasn't put his location in his profile.:(

If within reasonable distance of Horndean, I too would recommend PCS.

NJSS
 
OP
E

E250_MK

Active Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2022
Messages
42
Reaction score
20
Location
Milton Keynes
Your Mercedes
E250 2012 2.1L Diesel
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #10
An update on my aircon issue:

I bought an second-hand replacement conoressor from eBay for £70.
Got a mobile mechanic to install it for £100. He couldn't re-gas it, but the grinding vibration noise is gone.
The broken compressor that he removed makes a metallic 'clinking' sound when I shake it, so something has broken off inside, or something had gotten inside.
Got Autoclass to check the aircon system for leaks and to re-gas it if possible.
Autoclass found no leaks and re-gassed it for £120.

So I have working aircon again for a fraction of the cost that the main dealership quoted (which was over £1000)

I'll see how long it lasts and if any leaks spring up.

My E250 is coming up to 200k miles, so it seems I've had a reasonable run so far.
 
OP
E

E250_MK

Active Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2022
Messages
42
Reaction score
20
Location
Milton Keynes
Your Mercedes
E250 2012 2.1L Diesel
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Very happy for you.
What is the brand name of the compressor please.,?
And the model number. Thanks.
The replacement ia a genuine Mercedes part (Mercedes part number A0032308711), which is Denso brand (Denso part number 447260-5992).
 

d:class automotive are specialists in automotive interiors and upholstery. From Mercedes and modern cars to custom and classics. Tel: 01483 722923 Email:info@dclass.co.ukWeb:www.dclass.co.uk
Top Bottom