R231 Bird strike :^(

W1Z

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So, unfortunately a kamikaze partridge flew into the front of my SL400 and hit just below the bumper. It punched a hole through the plastic grill under the bumper and hit what appears to be either a heat exchanger or a condenser radiator for the aircon. Now the aircon no longer works, so I'm guessing whatever it is got punctured and the gas has leaked out. So it looks like a new part is in order, but would someone kindly tell me if it's the heat exchanger or condenser/radiator that I need to replace?

Many thanks

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W1Z

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Great thanks for that. The part isn't quite as expensive as I'd feared (£215 if this is correct). I just need to find a good indie to fit and gas it as I'm guessing they'll be zero chance of a warranty claim. Thanks again for your help.
 

Craiglxviii

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Get onto eBay. I bought one for my CL for £85...
 
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W1Z

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Thanks. The cheapest I can find on eBay for brand new is £201 here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/1121942918...9045041&device=c&campaignid=1058853793&crdt=0

The part number seems to be correct as the same one list listed elsewhere specifically for an R231. Not sure I'd want to buy second hand only because they are quite easy to damage and if I went to the cost of fitting one only to find it had a slow gas leak it'd be a false economy. I can find a new grill for under £40 so hopefully all-in it won't be terribly painful - well, not as painful as it was for the partridge I had to pull out of the grill!
 

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LostKiwi

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Could have been worse....
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(Yes the bird (red kite) did survive).
 
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W1Z

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Ouch, that looks very nasty. Glad to hear that the bird did better than my partridge, but I bet it had a headache!

I was wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to fit a new condenser rad? I've done a google but can't find any guides. I realise I'd have to get it gassed after, but if it's possible to DIY without a lift or any special tools it'd certainly be a good option. Any advice gratefully received.
 

alexanderfoti

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Ouch, that looks very nasty. Glad to hear that the bird did better than my partridge, but I bet it had a headache!

I was wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to fit a new condenser rad? I've done a google but can't find any guides. I realise I'd have to get it gassed after, but if it's possible to DIY without a lift or any special tools it'd certainly be a good option. Any advice gratefully received.

Yes, the rad pack can be difficult to separate though. as per WIS

Remove front undertray
remove plastics around slam panel
remove rubber sealing
remove oil cooler (on cars with ABC), leave lines connected
remove engine air intake ducts
remove cooler holder
remove radiator package DOWNWARDS (may be problematic on the side of the road.
 
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W1Z

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Thanks for that. My car doesn't have ABC so that helps, but even so, it sounds like it might be a pain without a lift. I think I might just have to pay an indie to do it. I'm expecting the main dealer to be around £500 for parts and at least another £400 for labour and re-gas, so I'll be lucky to get away with less than a grand if I go to them :(
 

alexanderfoti

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Find a good indie, they will do a good job and be competitive on parts pricing with Mercedes, and half the price on labour.
 

sl500amgsport

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Thanks for that. My car doesn't have ABC so that helps, but even so, it sounds like it might be a pain without a lift. I think I might just have to pay an indie to do it. I'm expecting the main dealer to be around £500 for parts and at least another £400 for labour and re-gas, so I'll be lucky to get away with less than a grand if I go to them :(
Or buy the parts for £255 and pay the indie Labour rates to replace, should bring overall cost down to nearer £500.

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Craiglxviii

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The quote to refit my AC condenser was £175 labour + £50 regas.
 
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W1Z

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Or buy the parts for £255 and pay the indie Labour rates to replace, should bring overall cost down to nearer £500.

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Yep that's exactly what I'm doing thanks. Got the parts for £241 all in - Grill was from Mercedes as it's only £40 inc and got the condenser direct from Nissens for £201 inc vat and delivery. Mercedes wanted £1010 for the complete job, haven't got the indie labour quote yet but I think I'll get it done for more like £500 all in which is definitely less painful. Thanks all for your help.
 

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