C250TD weak AirCon

[Messa]

The aircon in this car used to be freezing, but i am only getting minimal cooling now (might be none at all its that minor). I have had the system checked by a dubious 'expert' who said i had a loose connection to the compressor and needed a refrigerant top-up.

The thing is, there is no change now. We had warm weather the other day and I had to drive with the windows down which cannot be right as even with aircon on full the car was unbearable.

The car is booked in to the same place again as i want it checking again, but before I get fleeced again is there anythin I can try to check for problems?

Thanks in advance,

Neil

PS in the Haynes Bible it tell you to look at the sight glass for checking the condition of the coolant, but I appear to have a 'solid' compressor, without a sight glass on top, any clues?

Thanks

 

[guydewdney]

i assume the 'expert' emptyied the system then re-filled (uising a little oil in the process)

check the filter(s) - can cause huge problems..

 

[teky]

dont know if this will help im not into aircon very little need for it in the uk
http://uk.msnusers.com/autodatabase/aircon.msnw

 

[NormanB]

[snipped]
The car is booked in to the same place again as i want it checking again, but before I get fleeced again is there anythin I can try to check for problems?

Thanks in advance,

Neil

PS in the Haynes Bible it tell you to look at the sight glass for checking the condition of the coolant, but I appear to have a 'solid' compressor, without a sight glass on top, any clues?



Thanks

First clue - you may have been fleeced once but you may even get fleeced again.

This is one system you do not want cowboys ****in' about with.

You need a reputable specialist (not necessarily MB dealer).

The sight glass referred to by Haynes is normally in the liquid line (not the compressor) - you should see on the line coming out of the condensor. Depending upon the history of your system this may or may not be a reliable indicator. (if it was an old R12 system and the refrigerant has been changed to comply with Montreal Protocol then you may see bubbles in the sight glass at optimum state of charge.

Anyways all a bit academic - you ain't going to DIY - get to a reputable specialist in your area - avoid the jerk you took it to last time. But bear in mind you could have a leak that is in a place that is expensive and troublesome to fix (evaporator) - akin to open heart surgery.

Or just open the window :wink:

NormanB