Replace Aircon Condenser - 2008 CLK 350

[E55BOF]

My newly-purchased 2008 CLK 350's air conditioning system is completely empty of refrigerant. Pound to a penny it's the condenser/dryer, and that will need changing. IF IT DOES...

I've been looking on 't internet (always dangerous), and I'm not clear whether the bumper needs to come off for the job. I don't have WIS, but I've found two WIS task sheets, one for the CLK with the M271 or OM612 engine, one for the M272 960.

The first sheet is AR83.30-P-6540PA, and the front bumper has to come off. The second is AR83.30-P-6540QA, and there's no mention of removing the bumper, but the illustration shows the front end with the bumper off. I'm uncertain...

Can anybody confirm - or deny - that on the M272-engined models the bumper does not have to come off to do the job?

 

[Trickythemerc]

You can either take the bumper off which is probably the best way if it all goes well. I had mine off, but did have the use of a ramp. The other way is to take the slam panel off, a bit fiddly with plastic clips round the rad housing and if you have a siezed pipe it can be a bit of mare. If you pull the bumper there are you tube vids on how to do it, just remember to disconnect all the electrical stuff behind the bumper.

 

[poormansporsche]

Easier to just remove the bumper if anything like my old 320cdi W209. Also you have to disconnect the gearbox fluid pipes as they pass through the bottom corner of the condenser
When the pipe was removed from the gb oil cooler the plastic mounting bung thingy cracked with age and as mb don't sell the bung separately I really needed to buy a new rad at 500 quid. I didn't and just glued the bung back together with super glue but it ended up dripping a tiny bit !

Good luck !!!!!

 

[E55BOF]

I won't be doing the work myself; I can do top-ups, with the iCarsoft to check the operating pressure, but not evaxcuate and fill a system.

There's a top-notch aircon man near Maidenhead - 'Vanchilla' is the company name - who has done work for me before; his bread-and-butter work is installing refrigeration units in vans, so he really knows the business. I'll be taking the car to him, with a new replacement condenser (Nissens) in the boot to get the job done with the minimum of to-ing and fro-ing. In the unlikely event that it's not a condenser leak, I'll keep it as a spare. Looking on 7zap.com, the MB part number is A2035002154, so I've matched that on eBay.

On the Mercedes task sheet for the M272-engined cars, there's no bumper removal or disconnection of gearbox oil cooler lines required, and the condenser comes out from beneath, not above, so it shouldn't take too long and the bumper shouldn't have to come off. Fingers crossed all the unions come apart OK...

 

[Will]

Bumpers are usually quick and easy to remove?

 

[poormansporsche]

On the Mercedes task sheet for the M272-engined cars, there's no bumper removal or disconnection of gearbox oil cooler lines required, and the condenser comes out from beneath, not above, so it shouldn't take too long and the bumper shouldn't have to come off. Fingers crossed all the unions come apart OK...

Result. The 320 CDI shares a condenser with the 500 and is a pig of a job. The 350 is probably similar to the 320 petrol then which is apparently a piece of piss.

I really should have taken a pic as it was the most stupid bit of design I have even seen. Oh how we laughed as my fluid pissed out due to a completely unnecessary added complication

 

[E55BOF]

Bumpers are usually quick and easy to remove?

True, but if I'm paying for it, time is money.

Result. The 320 CDI shares a condenser with the 500 and is a pig of a job. The 350 is probably similar to the 320 petrol then which is apparently a piece of piss.

I really should have taken a pic as it was the most stupid bit of design I have even seen. Oh how we laughed as my fluid pissed out due to a completely unnecessary added complication

Quote from a newbie's thread I found on MB World, relating to the same design 'feature':

"What a crap design!"

There have been times when I have felt the same...

Next post: "Aah.... you are obviously new to MB engineering. "

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP , this seems like a lot of effort when you have yet to determine that the condenser is actually at fault . Would it not be better to get it diagnosed properly to find the leak ?

AC systems have been know to depressurise slowly through a £1.50 Schrader valve on the hi/low fill ports . thats why most decent A/C repairers replace them before re filling the system.

Either way good luck with it

 

[E55BOF]

It's depressurised down to nothing; that's not a Schrader valve leak. I'll be very surprised if it's not the condenser, and the diagnostic check will show that anyway before any dismantling takes place. If it's not the condenser, I have a spare for the future; if it is, and it's very likely it is, there's no wait for parts to fix it. That's why I'm doing it like this.

 

[MrGreedy]

This is for the 2011 W212 350CDI, so different parts probably.
But a few useful bits in there about what could go wrong, and also some useful info in the second thread also linked in there about why I went original fitment Mahler 'P' version for fit and quality.

Maybe the condenser on the W212 could be changed with a lift and the bumper on the car when new, but the bumper is easy to remove and given a few corroded bolt issues I found, I couldn't have possibly done the job in the end unless the bumper had been removed. I would expect a similar experience when changing the condenser on a 2008 CLK.

 

[E55BOF]

Mahle, I think, unless they compose music as well...

Nissens is a reputable brand; my pro has no problems with it.

If the bumper has to come off, so be it, but the default position is that it does not. Let's see, shall we?

 

[MrGreedy]

Sorry, I forgot to post the link

Changing the refrigerant line - compressor to condenser - w212 E350 | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Hi all, I thought it was worth posting a little guide on here about changing the refrigerant line that runs from the bottom of the condenser to the compressor. It's about 40cm in length, with a rubber section in the middle. Part number A2048305216, £50ish delivered from MB Grangemouth. I...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Trickythemerc]

It could of course be the evaporator, not a common fault but the dash would need to come out to replace it

 

[E55BOF]

Whole new ball game if that's the case; might just return the car. Let's hope not...

 

[ALFAitalia]

Is it not under warranty then?.....you said "newly purchased"....how recently and from where? If its a dealer he will have to repair it FOC if its within 6 months.....its the law.

 

[Trickythemerc]

If the condenser is leaking due to a stone pinging it as the gas escapes it brings the PAG oil with it. Closer inspection of the vanes may show an oily patch round the area of gas escape.

 

[E55BOF]

I know the law.

I bought the car from a small-time dealer near Cwmbran, in Wales; 130 miles each way. We've agreed that rather than my taking it back there, schlepping home, then schlepping back to collect it, I'll pay the extra labour charge involved in having the job done in Maidenhead rather than Wales. I think that's reasonable.

 

[E55BOF]

If the condenser is leaking due to a stone pinging it as the gas escapes it brings the PAG oil with it. Closer inspection of the vanes may show an oily patch round the area of gas escape.

I'll let the pro do it. If he can't see anything visually, he'll fill the system with nitrogen with a UV dye in it and find the leak that way.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Ok......have you pre agreed those figures and how much he's willing to pay? Being an ex car dealer myself I know what they are like!! Things can get a lot more complicated getting a third party repairer involved. But I realise the distance is inconvenient.

 

[E55BOF]

I know what car dealers are like too, but there are some honest ones... Not precisely pre-agreed, because I won't know the final cost until the job is done, but I'm not going to argue over a few quid; I like the car.