C350e - AC not working

[ninjaspy2000]

I have a problem with the AC (not blowing cold). Car is 7 years old so maybe the AC needs re-gassing.

Has anybody had this problem before?

Other than it being an electric compressor, is the recharge process the same as a diesel or petrol car?

 

[FlorinM]

Process should be the same as any other car, check in the engine bay the type of refrigerant it takes.

You could get a recharge kit from Halfords which contains a trigger with a pressure gauge and a canister of refrigerant.

For me it was cheaper than going to my garage for an AC check-up and recharge and the canister is big enough for 2-3 recharges.

 

[ninjaspy2000]

Process should be the same as any other car, check in the engine bay the type of refrigerant it takes.

You could get a recharge kit from Halfords which contains a trigger with a pressure gauge and a canister of refrigerant.

For me it was cheaper than going to my garage for an AC check-up and recharge and the canister is big enough for 2-3 recharges.

I measured the pressure on the low side port and got 63 psi saying it’s overcharged.

Could that happen if the compressor isn’t working? Or a leak?

 

[Petrol Pete]

Switch the AC on 'Full welly' and see if the compressor clutch comes in . If it does that would indicate the system has enough pressure to start cooling , if the pressure is too low the system will not start (clutch will not engage) To be honest 7 years is a while for at least a bit of refrigerant to have escaped but although the principal of AC is fairly simple in a car it can become complicated pretty quickly. Just because the clutch engages and runs the pump does not guarantee cold air . It's likely you cars has a variable displacement swash plate compressor, these things are very expensive to replace.

AC delco mercedes benz swash plate ac compressor explained - Bing video

www.bing.com

My advice would be to bite the bullet and take it to an automotive AC specialist (NOT Halfords/KwikFit)

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

My advice would be to bite the bullet and take it to an automotive AC specialist (NOT Halfords/KwikFit)

Ditto. If you suspect that you have a problem that might be beyond simple degassing, best see a specialist rather than a young generalist.

Shop around, there are plenty of bored guys out there wondering if Summer will ever turn up.

 

[slade1]

Can't help but when fixed use the AC all the time.
My 05 CLK AC has never had a re-gas or fixed.
Had a Nissan Primera for 11 years nothing done to AC.

 

[ninjaspy2000]

I took my car to my local Mercedes dealer (Sandown Poole) and they advised that the air con compressor is faulty and needs replacing. The fault recorded was "communication with the control unit electric A/C compressor has a malfunction". £1035 quoted for supply and fit.

Air con compressor faulty after 41,000 miles (7 years) doesn't sound right to me. I contacted Mercedes UK for their comments and got the usual fob off referring me to the dealer (Sytner Bristol) where I purchased it. I didn't contact Sytner as I didn't expect them to do anything for a car that they sold 4 years ago. No goodwill gesture offered as it wasn't serviced by a Mercedes dealer (it was serviced by an independent Mercedes specialist).

Any suggestions?

 

[Trickythemerc]

Find a good Merc specialist and save a load of cash on the labour and ask if they can source a cheaper part.

 

[zipdip]

Well as already suggested go to a car air con specialist,I use Into Cool who are 15 miles from my Essex home and direct friends and relations to there as well,they don't charge a fortune and they do repair compressors,just spend a little time finding one in Hampshire.

 

[ninjaspy2000]

Find a good Merc specialist and save a load of cash on the labour and ask if they can source a cheaper part.

I used to use a specialist but they recently put their prices up and they were more expensive than the dealer! Plus they only use genuine Mercedes parts.

Well as already suggested go to a car air con specialist,I use Into Cool who are 15 miles from my Essex home and direct friends and relations to there as well,they don't charge a fortune and they do repair compressors,just spend a little time finding one in Hampshire.

I will do this. Thanks.