Aircon Not Working :(

[GregE240]

Typical. First good weather of the year, switch the EC light off and...nothing.

I can't hear the compressor clutch kick in, so it sounds expensive! As an aside, I remember someone commenting that if the system is low on gas, it doesn't work at all, some sort of fail safe system? Is that correct?

The EC light does go off, you just don't get chilled air through and the engine note does not change at all.

Any ideas? Off to the dealer lunchtime to book in....

Thanks,

Greg

PS - doubtless some of you will comment "Why don't you just leave it on all the time?" Good idea, that.

 

[rizal2510]

I'm in the same boat as you.

Got the w210 back Fri from bodyshop after rust warranty repairs, Sunday was very nice, decided to go for a drive and to my horror the a/c is not blowing chilled air! The a/c was left on all the time and was fine before.

Any ideas on where to look for the sight glass for the a/c in the V6 240 engine, could'nt seem to find it?

Maybe a drive to the garage would sort this out. Hopefully nothing major, prob just to recharge refrigerant? If so, what's the price that expected to be looking at?

TIA.

 

[Shude]

I reckon this should have been posted in the engine section, moving...

 

[nickmann]

I'm in the same boat as you.

Any ideas on where to look for the sight glass for the a/c in the V6 240 engine, could'nt seem to find it?

TIA.

Its in the N/S front of the engine bay - below the ABS/ASR gubbins.

 

[GregE240]

Well, booked in tomorrow for a check up. Spoke to the engineer and he reckons its a bit low on gas. I've not had it recharged in nearly 3 years.

 

[djcheung]

Hi Razal2510,

If the A/C always worked before - recently - then there are two possibilities.
1. Low on gas
2. A leak in the system.

The A/C specialist should be able to tell you one or the other.

I had my A/C system re-gased last year and it costed £65.

David.

 

[rizal2510]

Its in the N/S front of the engine bay - below the ABS/ASR gubbins.

Thanks nickmann, found it at last. There's no movement of any sort looking at it, so maybe out/low of gas.

I had my A/C system re-gased last year and it costed £65.

Cheers david, if this is the case, then it's not so bad. Will have some A/C specialist check on it.

 

[GregE240]

**UPDATE**

Seems the system had never been recharged? MB looked at the cars history and there is no mention of it ever being done. Anyhow, no leaks found, recharged and good as new!

Picking it up later today.

Couldn't find the sight glass last night - is it near the washer bottle?

 

[C240Sport97]

how often should a/c system be recharged?

 

[GrahamC230K]

Glad it was just a re-gas. To avoid future seals going dry and leaking, I think the experts advice is to run the AC as often as possible.

I personally have never found a need to touch the EC button, my AC runs all year round.

 

[rizal2510]

Couldn't find the sight glass last night - is it near the washer bottle?

It's near the LH headlight, where the ABS is. I couldn't find mine the first time around either, it's encrusted with dirt.

BTW, if you don't mind, how much does it set you back at the stealer for the gas recharge?

 

[topdown]

As the system has gas and a small amount oil you should run the A/C during the winter to 'lube' the system. Leaving it on all the time means that as well as cooling the air it is dryed which means less moisture in the car reducing the condensation. When it is very cold outside the aircon will not run 6 deg c.


rgds


dave

 

[jaymanek]

This is the reason mercedes have it left on as standard hence its called EC rather than ac... best to leave it on rather than face the larger costs later. You are lucky you got away with just regassing. In theory, if its kept running regularly enough, should never need topping up..

Jay

 

[Shude]

In theory, if its kept running regularly enough, should never need topping up..

How often do you get your fridge re-gassed? Same thing.

 

[GregE240]

So many questions and comments!

OK, according to MB a system should be checked at least once a year. If required, it should be regassed.

The cost was approx £65 plus vat, so about £75 at a dealer?

Jay, I agree. Perhaps thats why in nearly six years mine never did need topping up. I wasn't a member of the "leave it on all the time" school of thought but will leave it on now.

Finally, it seems on the W210 model that if the refridgerant / lubricant reaches a critical level, it shuts the system down to avoid damage. I know this because when the EC light was switched off, the compressor didn't fire up. It does now.

Greg

 

[jaymanek]

yes and this is usually signified by the ec light staying on. I have been to look at so many cars to buy in the past where the ec light has been stuck on. I have usually walked away as costs can be huge if its not just a regass. The way i see it, if it was just a top up, the seller would do it...
Glad that you have been converted! I told my uncle off the other day for swithing it off! It makes sense if you want fuel economy for a long trip, but otherwise, leave it on!

 

[GregE240]

I agree, Jay. To be honest, I was sh***ing it a bit yesterday waiting for a call from MB saying the condensor had a bloody great hole in it or something, but thankfully not. They DID check the system (as is the norm) by using the coloured / UV dye but reported back all was well.

Wonder what difference having the compressor on all the time has on fuel economy? Hmmm...

 

[GrahamC230K]

Wonder what difference having the compressor on all the time has on fuel economy? Hmmm...

I've never noticed any, I did trial it once when I first got my old C200. I think the modern systems are very efficient. You don't notice a difference in economy or performance IMO.

 

[C240Sport97]

I just make sure I use the A/C at least once a week for at least 15 minutes all year round -- this seems to work. I very rarely drive with all the windows and sunroof closed, even in Central London.

 

[RichardM]

I experimented in my last car having the aircon on or off between refilling and didn't notice any difference in mpg or performance so I just leave mine on all the time now and in fully auto mode.