AC not working

[drmacf]

Hi Guy,

Glorious weather over the weekend, so switched on my ac. Car model, 2008 Mercedes C class, K Kompressor
It just blows air, doesn't cool the car. At times the red light on the ac button blinks and goes off

I have it for 12 years, it's now 16 years old, but don't remember refilling the refrigerant. Checked online and it seems like an expensive job.
Tomorrow I got a check in with Halfords, for a free check. If they don't find any leak, I will try and refill it . Could buy the refrigerant online and have seen a couple of videos on you tube
1) Which would be the refrigerant for my car? Think it's the old one, which is more expensive?
2) Could you identify the low port, from the enclosed pics?

KR

Melwin

 

[GeeJayW]

There should be a sticker in the engine bay indicating which refrigerant to use. I think it should be R134a.

It sounds like you don’t use a/c often. If that is the case, I suggest it needs an a/c service to vacuum test, check for leaks and then refill with refrigerant.

As a tip, just leave the a/c on otherwise the compressor seals can dry out which let’s all the refrigerant out (that may already have happened of course which means a new compressor will be needed).

 

[DSM10000]

Do not try to refill it yourself.

It needs to have the exact amount of refrigerant added after a pressure or vacuum test. There is also a special oil that needs to be of the correct volume.

 

[johnsco]

I agree.
It's one of those specialist services that is best entrusted to a specialist.
Do you have a trusted garage that offers air-con service ?

 

[alabbasi]

1) The AC system is a sealed system and the refrigerant is not a consumable so if it's low, it means that you have a leak.
2) If you turn your a/c off during the winter to save the 0.0013 pence per fill up, the seals could dry up and create the leak. A refill could lubricate the seals and you might be able to get away will just filling up
3) If the system is low and not empty, you can top the system up by charging to a pressure but you'll need have a working knowledge of a/c systems. Otherwise, evacuate the system, pull a vac and charge using a scale.

 

[drmacf]

Thanks, everyone
Hoping would get away with a refill, as Alabassi suggested

Anyone know, how much a leak repair , the total works would costs

Strangely, I used it thought winter and it worked fine. Heating wasnt a problem. Although in hindsight, I used the front/windscreen heater and that used to do the trick. As 90% of the time I drive alone.

Is this front heater separate from the ac?

 

[Petrol Pete]

You need to get it plugged into a proper A/C service machine or find someone who has a DIY top up 'trigger' which has a gauge on it . I have one that I bought from Halfords years ago and have used it to check AC pressure on numerous friends and neighbours cars.

Using it instantly lets them know whether the AC system is low or completely empty , if low they have the option of topping it up (the STP top up bottles have PAG oil in them but it's always better to use a professional AC machine) , if empty it needs taking to a specialist.

Filling an empty AC circuit with DIY refrigerant bottles is a false economy especially since they are around £70 each theses days (Do not buy online from 'random' suppliers as counterfeit cylinders are out there, filled with goodness knows what) and you will have a hard time getting the correct amount into the system.

And if it is leaking you will lose it all , which is both expensive and illegal. Let us know how you get on .

PS if the cabin filter has not ben replaced recently , replace it.

 

[drmacf]

Just been to halfords, the guy checked the ac low port and said the gauge showed 'warning'
Adv was to take it to a garage
At least I now know where the low port is

I am in two minds on whether to let go of this car, So could take a calculated risk

Buy a diy gauge kit on amazon and a proper refill over the counter ?

 

[drmacf]

Please could someone kindly confirm the refrigerant to be used
2008 mercedes' c class
Kompressor K 180

 

[Petrol Pete]

A car of that age ? R134a , thankfully , the new stuff is way more expensive. As said there should be a sticker under the bonnet , often on the front cross piece that has the bonnet latch holes. It states what refrigerant , what volume is required and percentage of PAG required.

Sticker sometimes go missing during accident repair

 

[Petrol Pete]

Buy a diy gauge kit on amazon and a proper refill over the counter ?.....

Not sure what you mean ?

You can only access the low pressure port with a DIY 'top up' kit , buying one from Halfords with one can of R134a will set you back £100 and it could all just instantly come out of a hole in the system, or pressure remains low so you go buy another can at £60 and when it does pressurise you find something else wrong and have to take it to an AC place minus your £160.

Take it to a garage with an AC service unit , most of them have one these days . They will plug it in and the machine tells them all they need to know.

Or buy one of these ...and the gas and PAG oil required.......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sspa/click?ie=UTF8&spc=MTo2MzQxNjkxMjc3NjI4NTk3OjE3MTU2MDIzNjQ6c3Bfc2VhcmNoX3RoZW1hdGljOjMwMDEzOTYxNjg1NjAzMjo6MDo6&url=%2FOrion-Motor-Tech-Manifold-Accessories%2Fdp%2FB0CPXDDGYB%2Fref%3Dsxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa%3Fcontent-id%3Damzn1.sym.70b6b787-854a-49f8-996a-ed25b08dcd4f%253Aamzn1.sym.70b6b787-854a-49f8-996a-ed25b08dcd4f%26crid%3DKIOIDAKXICN9%26cv_ct_cx%3Dcar%2Bac%2Bservice%2Bgauges%26dib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OGoRKh2vEfCIAUmNiG4cuK28f1m1mR2fTCXJCZd8yUQmFuQz2faJtvaHLLF5W3rsam6oihY0nqtd-bPOhmKl2w.v-RUagCLsBqsuxy8TOYV4FQNYA9R9p4ykUX04rpyQyY%26dib_tag%3Dse%26keywords%3Dcar%2Bac%2Bservice%2Bgauges%26pd_rd_i%3DB0CPXDDGYB%26pd_rd_r%3D4673b76a-2491-427b-ba36-ae818574b17d%26pd_rd_w%3DJhQBV%26pd_rd_wg%3DdeMJx%26pf_rd_p%3D70b6b787-854a-49f8-996a-ed25b08dcd4f%26pf_rd_r%3D8BYQRH50DBE9116BTZXA%26qid%3D1715602363%26sbo%3DRZvfv%252F%252FHxDF%252BO5021pAnSA%253D%253D%26sprefix%3Dcar%2Bac%2Bservice%2Bgauges%252Caps%252C140%26sr%3D1-1-ad3222ed-9545-4dc8-8dd8-6b2cb5278509-spons%26sp_csd%3Dd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM%26psc%3D1

 

[alabbasi]

1) Your halford gauge test is not going to tell you anything. You need to find someone to put a proper set of gauges on the system and read pressures on the low and high side.
2) The cost of repairing the leak depends on where the leak is. If it's a shraider valve, it will be cheap and of it's the evaporator, it will be expensive. Most companies add a UV dye with a charge so they can find the leak going forward.
3) unless you're planning to flush the system completely of all the old oil, which will require you to open the system and flush the compressor, I suggest adding zero oil. You'll only leak oil if you have a leak on the high side which you should be able to spot by the build up of dirt around the leak. Too much oil is also bad.

 

[Petrol Pete]

The Halfords gauge does tell you something , not much , but enough to make a decision .

Buying one just to check is an absolute waste of money , but if you already have one (I do) simply popping it on the low side will show the system to be empty at which point you tell your friend/neighbour "My work here is done ...now stop bothering me take your car to an AC expert "

And the gauge will show if the system needs a top up , but agreed. DIY mucking around with car AC systems is a mugs game , leave it to the people with the correct kit

 

[alabbasi]

The Halfords gauge does tell you something , not much , but enough to make a decision

Not really because it's not telling you the pressure. Just a color coded readout on the suction side which is not accurate. Pressures should be read on the high side determine if you have enough freon.

 

[D2028]

Take it to an a/c specialist to get it pressure tested with nitrogen. ( Probably around £30) . vacuum testing isn't reliable as the suction can seal a small hole in a flexible pipe. It'll work out cheaper in the long run.
My guess would be the condenser has gone.

 

[drmacf]

Buy a diy gauge kit on amazon and a proper refill over the counter ?.....

Not sure what you mean ?

You can only access the low pressure port with a DIY 'top up' kit , buying one from Halfords with one can of R134a will set you back £100 and it could all just instantly come out of a hole in the system, or pressure remains low so you go buy another can at £60 and when it does pressurise you find something else wrong and have to take it to an AC place minus your £160.

Take it to a garage with an AC service unit , most of them have one these days . They will plug it in and the machine tells them all they need to know.

Or buy one of these ...and the gas and PAG oil required.......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sspa/click?ie=UTF8&spc=MTo2MzQxNjkxMjc3NjI4NTk3OjE3MTU2MDIzNjQ6c3Bfc2VhcmNoX3RoZW1hdGljOjMwMDEzOTYxNjg1NjAzMjo6MDo6&url=%2FOrion-Motor-Tech-Manifold-Accessories%2Fdp%2FB0CPXDDGYB%2Fref%3Dsxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa%3Fcontent-id%3Damzn1.sym.70b6b787-854a-49f8-996a-ed25b08dcd4f%253Aamzn1.sym.70b6b787-854a-49f8-996a-ed25b08dcd4f%26crid%3DKIOIDAKXICN9%26cv_ct_cx%3Dcar%2Bac%2Bservice%2Bgauges%26dib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OGoRKh2vEfCIAUmNiG4cuK28f1m1mR2fTCXJCZd8yUQmFuQz2faJtvaHLLF5W3rsam6oihY0nqtd-bPOhmKl2w.v-RUagCLsBqsuxy8TOYV4FQNYA9R9p4ykUX04rpyQyY%26dib_tag%3Dse%26keywords%3Dcar%2Bac%2Bservice%2Bgauges%26pd_rd_i%3DB0CPXDDGYB%26pd_rd_r%3D4673b76a-2491-427b-ba36-ae818574b17d%26pd_rd_w%3DJhQBV%26pd_rd_wg%3DdeMJx%26pf_rd_p%3D70b6b787-854a-49f8-996a-ed25b08dcd4f%26pf_rd_r%3D8BYQRH50DBE9116BTZXA%26qid%3D1715602363%26sbo%3DRZvfv%252F%252FHxDF%252BO5021pAnSA%253D%253D%26sprefix%3Dcar%2Bac%2Bservice%2Bgauges%252Caps%252C140%26sr%3D1-1-ad3222ed-9545-4dc8-8dd8-6b2cb5278509-spons%26sp_csd%3Dd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM%26psc%3D1

Thanks a ton, someone in my whataspp group has this machine!! Willing to lend it to me this weekend, bingo
So now it's just the gas and PAG oil. Any recommended sellers and type?

 

[Merc59]

Fingers crossed no leaks and if there is one it's the condenser, mine on my 08 C class turned out to be the evaporator which is a dash out job and not a cheap fix. Replaced the evaporator, condenser, and pressure valve whist it was being done. AC is icy cold.

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks a ton, someone in my whataspp group has this machine!! Willing to lend it to me this weekend, bingo
So now it's just the gas and PAG oil. Any recommended sellers and type?

But you still have no idea if you have a leak or not
Stop messing around, and take it to an a/c specialist who will test it for leaks and move forward accordingly.

 

[E55BOF]

Aircon systems do lose a little refrigerant over the years, especially if they're not used much. If the aircon hasn't been topped up for twelve years it could just need a charge, but if it was working in the winter, it may have sprung a leak; you have no way of knowing. Take it to a pro to find out.

Cost? I just had my '08 CLK 350 sorted out (holed condenser; it's nearly always the condenser...) for £400 in total, which includes 3.5 hours labour at £60/hr. and £100 for a new condenser (off eBay, genuine Nissens, and includes the receiver/dryer). The hourly labour charge in Lincoln would likely be less, I would have thought, but parts and materials the same.

 

[drmacf]

Turned the ac to 27, while driving back. It blew hot air but when turned down to 18, just ambient temp
So the ac is working, right? Should be the refrigerant , either low or leaked