CL 500 Air Conditioning Problem

[Barks]

Bought a CL500 (216) 22k miles in June.

Air con and climate control work fine till the combination of a hot day, a hot engine and a hot interior (parked in the sun) completely defeats the ac and the vented air is no cooler than outside.

Not so easy to replicate this Summer but everyone now accepts that with a hot engine and a warm day (22 deg+) only slightly cooler air comes through on LO settings (which should otherwise freeze you inside 3 mins!).

It's been back to Mercedes Benz Basingstoke (who look after the place where I bought it) four (4) times. They have replaced the compressor (they say) and the sensors and switches and messed about with the settings and the problem is still now exactly the same as it was when I bought the car.

They say that the problem has confounded the Mercedes World - I say that (IMHO) they don't know what they're doing - what do you say?

 

[bing]

What did they exactly replaced?

 

[GP801]

We have just had a similar issue on my sons Volvo. Replacing the compressor solved the problem. MB Basingstoke have a good reputation - same dealer as Guildford I believe. Try asking if they would arrange for an independent aircon specialist to look at it.

 

[Barks]

It's being done via the dealer who sold me the car (on warranty) so I dont know exactly what has been replaced but I'm told that the compressor and all the temperature sensors have been replaced.

My wifes car had a similar problem and a new compressor solved it. Apparently not in this case.

 

[bing]

Used car, dealer warranty - there's your problem! Ask to see the old parts that they replaced or prove it to you - I bet they'll come up with another stupid excuse. Compressor is £££s and this would the last resort for them if pushed. As GP801 says, ask for an independent A/C specialist to look at it. No way I would live with this problem on car like this with such low miles.

 

[Barks]

Yes - £1800 and although its an AA 2 year warranty (which covers the a/c) I think the dealer has to pay in the first 3 months.

Thinking of taking it to a local Merc garage (Brooklands?) and getting them to look at it?

 

[Barks]

My CL has been back to MB Bracknell 6 times and now to Esher and they can't fix it - tried everything including new compressor and all new sensors - Esher just fitted a new expansion valve and none of this has made any difference! HELP

 

[Barks]

Well well - Mercedes Benz Epsom charged me £600 for a repair that made ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE and are now saying that the car was 'repaired and tested' when they returned it to me. I'm taking thus up with MB Customer services UK but not getting past a lot of soothing words as yet..

HOWEVER - had a word with Mark at Comandonline he suggested Olly and Graham at Prestige Car Services in Horndean. They agreed to find and fix the fault or not charge - there's professionalism for you!

Remember it took MB Bracknell 6 attempts not to fix it and one expensive visit to MB Epsom not to fix it...

After almost a day checking the electronics and replacing a humidity sensor without effect Olly stuck an endoscope through the pipe from the compressor and discovered the low pressure pipe had collapsed internally (even showed me a photo). No evidence of this on the outside and a very rare fault apparently.

Anyway after a special order from Germany the pipe was replaced and AC now works perfectly.

Brilliant service and very reasonable charges (cost considerably less for a genuine fix than MB Epsom's rip off for no fix). Many thanks Olly and Graham - wont be taking the CL anywhere else from now on! :bannana:

 

[Sp!ke]

Today I learnt that some mechanics have endoscopes..

Dr Olly I presume?

 

[Barks]

Dr, Professor, Doktor-Ingenieur, Psychologist, Clairvoyant, Diplomat, Judge, Genius - all work for me!