E55 hit side-on (with photos)

[Captain Flack]

Almost Hibbo, you're on the right track. When a liquid converts to gas it gets very cold(when you set off a co2 fire extinguisher or when you're carburettor used to ice up(fuel turning from liquid to gas)). The the gas is compressed again it gives off the heat it absorbed when it was converted to the gaseous state.See this link for the genaral idea

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/how_it_works/air_conditioner.html


If that is the compressor in the picture then it's quite possibly the fluid leaking for the air conditioning system. I had a refill on my wifes Focus and there was a green residue around the connection. Does it glow under a UV light?

I'm a bit naive about the layout of you engine compartment, but could the engine have moved on its mounts during the collision, enough for the a/c compressor spindle to get a big enough knock to cause a leak?

Anyway, good luck with your claim.

 

[Captain Flack]

After another look, that is the a/c compressor leaking. Wether you can put it down to the accident or not is another question but I think that, bearing in mind there was a leak immediately after the collision, you've got a valid claim for a new compressor.

If you're in any doubts about your rights, check to see if you've got legal cover with your insurance(even your home insurance often includes legal advice) and ask them to act on your behalf. You've obviously taken time to look for your dream car and are clearly entitled to have everything put back as it should be.

 

[mlsports]

Update

Went to see the car today. They still need to do some more work - the end of the side skirt was snapped off - and it wasn't before they had it!

Anyways, with regards to the aircon, here's what they say:

"The fluid in the Air Con system is a tracer liquid which is green in colour , this was already in the system and I would say it was installed by whoever recharged the Aircon system prior to the accident, this allows the leak to be traced and shows up under lighting. The Engineer report carried out prior to you purchasing the car indicates the pump may have a fault and that this is a costly item to replace.

The coolant level has been checked and is spot on to the recommended level."

And with regards to where the water leak came from when the car was hit, here's what they say:

"With reference to the blockage area, on the bulkhead section under the bonnet there is a drain tube, this allows water to drain away but these are prone to getting blocked by leaves and debris which will then allow the bulkhead section to fill up with water, this drain needs to be cleared on a regular basis to make sure it allows the water to drain away. In the accident the drain may have cleared it self and the water built up would have drained , this would then drip out over the manifold section and produce steam if the car is hot from running."

Does it make sense to you guys about a possible water build up in the bulk head?

 

[Blobcat]

Yes you can get a build up in the bulkhead if the scuttle drains are blocked, you can also get a build up in the vents at the top of the bonnet if the flap underneath the bonnet is blocked.
However if the bulkhead drains were blocked and there was a large amount of water then this would get into the car via the heater unit. Prior to the accident was the car wet inside - particularly the passenger footwell. Also did you find that you had lots of issues with condensation.
If the car was dry inside and you didn't have any condensation issues then either there wasn't enough water in the bulkhead to get into the heater or you didn't have a blockage.

 

[mlsports]

wet

No, there was never any damp at all in the car.

What I'm going to do is get the car back once they repaired the things that they damaged (!) whilst they had it, and then have it checked with a Mercedes specialist for any possible problems with their repair work, and to look for anything they may have missed.

I have checked with Tesco insurance, and they are happy that the car can be inspected post repair and they would accept a written mechanics report as proof of any accident-related repair, and they would send the car to another garage for further fixes. I telephoned Tesco three times to double-check this - and it's a definate yes.

That way I can get a Mercedes specialist to check their work rather than a 'general' car inspector, who's general knowledge of cars wold be excellent, but not as good as a specialists on one particular car.

I have to be honest - I have been extremely impressed with Tesco. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult when it comes to actually being proactive and getting the repairs done. However, Tesco have been great at every stage. So hats off to them - in this case at least!

Keep you posted! There is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[television]

Shame that the Tesco insurance does not allow you to park in the wider parking bays with you new paint.

malcolm

 

[mlsports]

lol

lol - maybe I should ask