Aircon servicing

[230K]

Hi

Does the aircon on a '98 210 require any scheduled servicing, all is well it blows cold after a minute or so and everything seems fine. Is there parts that need replacing that could prevent hefty bills in the future, also want to make sure it stays working for a continental trip in July. Should i get it checked over or leave well enough alone (my preferred option) as it is working. Also car will turn 200K this week and no evidence that the aircon has been worked on before.

Thanks,

230K

 

[panason1c]

This rule, below, particularly applies to air con.........

"If it aint broke..dont fix it".

 

[Birdman]

Aircon is a two-year service item and if it were my W210 I would have it checked out. The repair cost is anything from a recharge to eyewatering.
If you go to an independent M-B specialist it won't cost you an arm and a leg - £70+VAT to have mine done last month (doubtless someone out there will have had it done for tuppence ha'ppeny!).
Driving in the heat of a foreign sun without aircon can be difficult especially if you have family on board!
IMHO!

 

[Andy W]

I can do mine for less than £5 trade, the gas is as cheap as chips, garages brainwash you in to having the AC serviced every two years, even Halfords jumped on the band wagon insisting that the receiver drier needs to be replaced every two years, total nonsense. Check that the air condenser in front of the radiator is clean and free from road debris and grease, ensure the two charging caps are tight as they will leak, run the system at least once a month, replace your pollen filter yourself, check the liquid sight glass for a full glass at 2,000 RPM and finally spray a air con cleaning aerosol down the air intake to kill any odours or unfriendly bacteria. By the way, If you fail to change the pollen filters they start to smell like cat............

 

[Birdman]

I can do mine for less than £5 trade, the gas is as cheap as chips, garages brainwash you in to having the AC serviced every two years, even Halfords jumped on the band wagon insisting that the receiver drier needs to be replaced every two years, total nonsense. Check that the air condenser in front of the radiator is clean and free from road debris and grease, ensure the two charging caps are tight as they will leak, run the system at least once a month, replace your pollen filter yourself, check the liquid sight glass for a full glass at 2,000 RPM and finally spray a air con cleaning aerosol down the air intake to kill any odours or unfriendly bacteria. By the way, If you fail to change the pollen filters they start to smell like cat............

Like I said...

 

[uumode]

By the way, If you fail to change the pollen filters they start to smell like cat............

In my VW it can smell like that with the air con OFF (normal outside air)
but with the air con on, there is no smell and it's lovely, fresh and cool air - presumably that is not the pollen filter?

 

[uumode]

In my internet travels looking for a recharge place I find this useful information
http://www.airconditioningforcars.co.uk/

recharging every 3 years, and replacing the dryer at 6

The dryer on my old Audi got blocked, but didn't really understand at the time and the blockage I'm told took out my compressor.

I'd better get my air con serviced soon as the article mentions it's not good to run the system on low gas

 

[prprandall51]

In my VW it can smell like that with the air con OFF (normal outside air)
but with the air con on, there is no smell and it's lovely, fresh and cool air - presumably that is not the pollen filter?

The air con dries out the bacteria so they don't smell. When you turn the aircon off, the moisture level in the system rises and the bacteria become damp. The damp bacteria smell. I guess they become "active".

It's like lots of little dogs in your system, really. When they are dry, they don't smell, but when they are damp....
PHilip

 

[uumode]

The air con dries out the bacteria so they don't smell. When you turn the aircon off, the moisture level in the system rises and the bacteria become damp. The damp bacteria smell. I guess they become "active".

It's like lots of little dogs in your system, really. When they are dry, they don't smell, but when they are damp....
PHilip

urgghh.. the air con guy is coming to recharge my Mercedes this weekend,
so I'll ask him about any anti-bacterial spray.

For the record my aircon recharge for my E240 is £65 inc. for taking out the old gas and oil, sucking dry the system, then replenishing with fresh gas and oil. I asked him I would like to replace the dryer since it was about 6 years old, but he said that it shouldn't be needed as some of the moisture is sucked out when the system is cleaned. He recommended changing it after 10 years... well at least he wasn't after my money!

 

[bangerman]

Just had my C280 W202 done last week.
Dryer had been replaced about 2 years ago ( before I purchased this fantastic vehicle )

Mobile van man, very knowledgable, checked levels, pressured and added ultra violet dye then checked for leaks with UV light gun, drained old gas then pruged air & mositure then refilled... 2 hours work £ 50 + vat, no problems excellent service.

Would recommend to anyone in west wales area.

hope this has been of help.

 

[sportyreptile]

Would recommend to anyone in west wales area.

hope this has been of help.

Have you got his details? I wonder if he'd travel to the South East Wales area?

 

[GregE240]

What SportyRep' said.....can we please have the contact details of these mobile guys?

The dealer wants at least a ton for the same job.....

Greg

 

[uumode]

What SportyRep' said.....can we please have the contact details of these mobile guys?

The dealer wants at least a ton for the same job.....

Greg

I post the details of this mobile guy in Berkshire, after he does my car on Saturday.

 

[GregE240]

Thanks mate, my new Merc needs recharging (I hope!), would be a shame to take it to MB and be charged a ton where a decent reputable bloke could do it for £65.

 

[uumode]

Thanks mate, my new Merc needs recharging (I hope!), would be a shame to take it to MB and be charged a ton where a decent reputable bloke could do it for £65.

No problem...but you're in Northamptonshire?

Berkshire is a bit southward.

 

[toolman1954]

Aircon Woes

My Aircon in my 97 300TD packed up a few weeks ago. I had it regassed locally (£60) and the chap said he didnt think there was a leak as the vacuum was holding when he evacuated whatever was left. However two days later all the gas had gone ,no more bubbles to be seen in the little window that he had showed me, and after reading other posts on here the prospect of a big bill loomed .
Fearfull of the local stealers I took the car to a local independent who also does aircon, and they diagnosed that I needed a new condenser and a new drier .
New parts,fitting and a regas of the system has left me a monkey lighter, but oh what joy to have the aircon working again

Steve

 

[uumode]

As promised, contact details for a Berkshire mobile guy - Berkshire is his geographical range (Reading based):

mobile automotive air conditioning service
AIR MEDIC : motor trade secrets

Mobile: 07961 144576

Franchise operator of
http://www.carmedic.ltd.uk/franchise/air-medic.asp

 

[bangerman]

As requested, the details for the guy i used in South Wales
( also called AIRMEDIC )

01269 825898
07962 062868

located in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire ( DYFED )
The guy's name is Kelvin and is spot on

He did my C280 estate & my mates C43AMG

 

[sportyreptile]

Nice one, you have a PM.

 

[230K]

Hi

Could someone whose air con is working properly check to see if the clutch disengages when the throttle is blipped please and report back.

With mine sitting at idle and the air con on and compressor running if you blip the throttle the clutch disengages until the engine is at a steady rev and then re-engages.

Is this normal??? Really afraid of the air con packing up on an impending French trip with wife and 4 kids under 7yrs, get the picture.

Thanks in advance

230K