Air Con

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djcheung

Active Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2002
Messages
148
Location
Cambridgeshire
Car
W211 E320 CDI
Hi there,

I am puzzled with what is happening with my aircon system and wonder if anybody have any idea.

The system was recharged last July. It was cold when it was first charged, but within 3 months it started to go warmer. I took the car to the dealer and asked them to look into the problem ( while it was still in the Signature Warranty ) but they say it may take too much time and left it. It was late November early december and I didn't need the aircon so I left it.
This April I took the car to the same dealer again and apparently there was no gas left in the system and the compressor didn't cut in due to lack of gas. They recharged it again and said there were no leaks in the system. The system again worked for 2-3 months and now it is not cold ( and out of warranty ). They said again no leaks.
Any ideas?:confused: :mad: :crazy:
 
Theres a leak! Take it back and insist the problem was never sorted.
There are lots of posts on here about air con, youll see there are a number of expensive places for leaks to occur....


Thanks

Jay
 
I would take it to an independent a/c specialist now that the car is out of warranty :( They will inject UV dye into your a/c system, run the car and then check the engine bay with a UV light. I'm afraid you definitely have a leak despite what your local dealer says. I don't know whether it's worth arguing with MB if you get a full report to claim that the work should have been carried out while the warranty was still in effect.

S.
 
def a leak or even worse a prob with compressor or condesor, take it back
 
UV dye was used during the previous two recharge. An independent A/C specialist used the UV light and kind of spotted a 'leak' but the amount was so tiny that didn't explain why the system was empty ( it was also reported to MB dealer ).
Last time the dealer checked it probably by feeling the air coming out from the ducts rather than using the UV gun.
I have just booked it in for next Thursday and they say they will 'sort' it out. I will definately argue with the costs if it come to any - a bit optimistic.
Watch this space!
 
You most definitely have a leak. Probably the condenser coil, if you know that there is a leak and the garage knows there is a leak but cannot find it, they are charging a system knowing full well that it is going to be discharged to atmosphere, under the Montreal Protocol and local council COSHH regs trecharging is illegal, penalty is up to a £20,000 fine, no kidding. Perhaps your local council would be interested in investigating the garage, use this information as a bargaining weapon in getting your car sorted, there are too many gas em up merchants about. If you need spare parts I can put you in touch with the company that I deal with.
 
@ Andy W
can you source a part for me please mate?
It is a relay, (diavia), number = 0681520 12v
It says "made in Italy by bitron video"
Also need price please.
Thanks,
Graeme
 
The only source for DIAVIA spare parts now is :

Barry at Reader Aircon on 01483 726300

DIAVIA were one of the few reliable aftermarket systems available at the time. I have heard recently that they ceased trading as most cars now have a/c as standard.

For compressors, condensors, driers, accumulators, hoses & misc electrical air cond parts as factory fitted, call:

Kev Pugh at Ambient Technical Solutions on 01782 745700, just tell him Andy from A1 Cooling Technology sent you.
 
Cheers Andy.
I'll give Barry a ring this morning and see if he can get me one.
 
Thanks Andy W,

I took a friend to the Heathrow airport yesterday afternoon and guess what! It was hot and we got stuck in traffic. The temperature gauge registered 33C. It was unbearable - no aircon.
 
Hi guys,

Just a quick report on what's happening.
Booked the car in this morning.
Just received a call from the dealer saying the condenser has two holes in it alone the bottom ( which I have identified to them last November). They say it would cost min £600 to get it sorted and I have to pay for it because the Signature Warranty has expired.
I then argued that the problem was identified before the warranty ran out and it is not acceptable.
The service representitive then went away and talked to the service manager. Came back with a deal. I pay for the parts ( condenser and the dryer £195) and they pay for the labour & gas.
I thought it would not be much point trying to get them to pay for the lot , I accepted.
Good deal?
 
Originally posted by djcheung
Hi guys,

Just a quick report on what's happening.
Booked the car in this morning.
Just received a call from the dealer saying the condenser has two holes in it alone the bottom ( which I have identified to them last November). They say it would cost min £600 to get it sorted and I have to pay for it because the Signature Warranty has expired.
I then argued that the problem was identified before the warranty ran out and it is not acceptable.
The service representitive then went away and talked to the service manager. Came back with a deal. I pay for the parts ( condenser and the dryer £195) and they pay for the labour & gas.
I thought it would not be much point trying to get them to pay for the lot , I accepted.
Good deal?

Earlier this year I had my a/c condenser replaced and I'd say the price you're paying for the parts is actually pretty good considering it's a dealer. However, having said that, I think it's shocking that you are being forced to pay at all!! Do you not have proof/evidence of the previous visits like booking slips/fault reports etc? I personally would be tempted to fight for them to pay the whole lot since it was their responsibility to find this leak months ago when you first took your car in for fault diagnosis... but that's just me being a miserable git I guess :p :D

S.
 
Last edited:
Just a quick update.

Sent a letter to the service manager 6 weeks ago, and no reply for two weeks.
Sent another letter 4 weeks ago to the service manager again, and no reply again for two weeks.
Typed up another letter and enclosing the other tow letters sent previously and handed it in personally to the MD of the dealer branch 2 weeks ago on Friday.

And guess what ? I received a letter a week ago on Monday saying that the case is under investigation. Then I thought, well how long is this going to take if anything will go my way.

To my surprise, I received a phone call from one of their customer service manager on Friday. He left a message on my mobile asking me to call him and say everything will be sorted out. I was busy on Friday and called him on Tuesday - Monday was a Bank holiday.

And guess what again?

The customer service manager said he had read my letter and looking at the history of the problem he was inclined to agree with me that I should not pay for the job.

He said a cheque will be raised to cover the cost of the parts that I have paid.

WHAT A RESULT !!!!!:D :D :D :D

Sorry for the long text. Hope you enjoy the read.

David.
 
Resulterama.

Nice one - one up for the good boys.

Just goes to show - a bit of persistence goes a long long way!

K
 
David,

Great result!! :bannana: :cool: Well done on your persistence :rock:

S.
 

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