E-class air con - Is this typical?

[SJMaxson]

I have a 1994 E220 auto estate with air-con.

The system is working, and seems to provide cool air.  However, when the day
is particularly hot (all the moreso if sunny, and sun is shining on the
windscreen), the car seems to stay hot, and barely cools down.

In previous air-conditioned cars I have owned (Fords, mainly), the air-con
has been much more efficient, cooling the car down extremely well under all
conditions, and whilst at a standstill (my Merc air-con seems to work better
when moving).

Is this typical of the type?

--

 

[Leigh Edwards]

E-class air con

When was the last time the gas was checked/recharged in the Aircon system? It may also have a leak in the condenser.

 

[SJMaxson]

E-class air con

I've only had the car for two months, but the air-con system was passed by the RAC engineer in a full multi-point inspection before purchase.

Also, today when it has been hot but there has been no direct sunlight on the windscreen, the air-con has succeeded in cooling the car.  It only seems to be when at a standstil or in direct sunlight when the system is less than efficient.

 

[Anonymous]

E-class air con

Check that the auxilary fans in front of the radiator are working.

 

[spit64]

E-class air con

I have almost the same problem on mine E320 but it cool of fine except when i stand still for a couple minutes then warm air starts blowing then when i start moving again it will blow cold air.but mine booth aux fans seems to be of function,can any one tell me whats control the fans is it a relay thats suppose to start them or is it some pressure switch thats contols the fans, the fuses on the relay seems ok.

 

[davealtree]

E-class air con

I have a c36 experiencing the same fault.  I had mine checked over by an Aircon guy,  I needed an aircon recharge, £95 = sorted.

 

[Andy]

E-class air con

Hi all,

The ac system problems you all have been experiencing sounds like the system is low on refrigerant. Need to make sure the system is fully charged. Otherwise no matter what you try and do. It won't work efficiently.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Keith]

E-class air con

I have a 95 E300D and have a had a problem recently , now solved, but can confirm that the aircon in mine will chill your **** off even in warm weather when working normally - suggest you investigate whether you have full gas in the system, it can get partially discharged and work inefficiently. A recharge of a/c gas should only cost £40-£50 not necessary to go to Merc for it.

 

[SJMaxson]

E-class air con

I'm sure that I've read on a Merc newsgroup something about different types of refrigerant used in Merc a/c systems.  Any comments on this, or do I 'phone up an air-con specialist (but not Merc specialist) from Yellow Pages?  

 

[SJMaxson]

E-class air con

Incidentally, the problem with mine isn't warm weather - its been wonderful to drive around with the air-con on for the last few hot days, but rather the inability to cool the car down when driving into direct sunlight eg on a motorway journey.  My previous car, a Mondeo, was much better in this regard........

 

[white190]

E-class air con

Hi
I used to work at a main ford stealership
I would have to agree with the main concensus here ...
get the system re-filled with refridgerant .... either at Merc Stealership or at independant AirCon specialist..

Get it done as cheap as possible the refridgerant is the same no mater how much you pay..... plus if it turns out you have a leak you won't have paid out too much...

 

[SJMaxson]

E-class air con

Many thanks for that - I'll get on the case!

 

[Matt Crooke]

E-class air con

From memory there are 2 types of refrigerant used in car air con. There is an earlier type, used up in cars up until 1990 or something like that. This type is the non eco friendly version, which contains masses of CFC's or something. Cars after that date have the newer eco friendly version. Any decent aircon specialist will know which your car uses.

Anyway, imsure the situation is something like the above!!!

 

[Russel Weston]

E-class air con

All this talk of air-con makes me think of my empty system.The Stealership wants £199.00 to check and refill. I have tried looking on the net for other companies that do it but not getting anywhere. I am in Reigate(Surrey)and if anyone can recommend an alternative I would be grateful.Car is 230E 123 223. Thanks

 

[Keith]

E-class air con

My understanding is that the refrigerant is common and not merc specific.  Certainly seem to be plenty of people offering to recharge a/c gas near me. Chrysler dealer near me recently had a special offer £40 for any make of vehicle.

 

[Matt Crooke]

E-class air con

Same as me, a local mobile firm called Bonair, will re-gas from £40 upwards. And like you say, i think the rule is, gas is gas, and not make specific.

 

[sunil sood]

E-class air con

my c200-1997-56k on the clock-the a/c works fine and cools the car well-there are a stream of bubbles seen in the inspectiion glass window in the engine compartment-does it mean i need to have it charged or is it a case of wait till cooling efficiency drops.??

 

[SJMaxson]

E-class air con

Just an update.

The original reply to my post was correct - local air-con specialist diagnosed a leak in the condenser, but couldn't trace the part.  The local stealership was unable to identify the part either from the chassis number.

One trip to B'ham later, air-con working perfectly, service carried out, repairs done - 1 happy owner!

 

[simon]

E-class air con

If you went to Birmingham,I assume it was the Andy Gale establishment....surely??

Ernest Sidesman

 

[MarkSL]

E-class air con

try John at aircon direct in Kent

Did a top job on my 300SL - very well priced
http://www.ac4cars.co.uk/

Mark