Air Conditioner Evaporator
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Air Conditioner Evaporator
About a month 1/2 ago the AC stopped working in the Coupe and the engine light came on. I took it into the dealer and they asked me for $1600 for a new wiring harness and an AC Evaporator Temperature Sensor.
The A/C only cooled from one side so I took it back. Now they say they want $2700 for replacing the whole Ac Evaporator unit which is inside the dashboard next to the firewall.
Now this is a 2002 Coupe in good condition with 74000 miles. I can probably only get 10 to 12K max for the car.
Anyone with any similar experiences?
The A/C only cooled from one side so I took it back. Now they say they want $2700 for replacing the whole Ac Evaporator unit which is inside the dashboard next to the firewall.
Now this is a 2002 Coupe in good condition with 74000 miles. I can probably only get 10 to 12K max for the car.
Anyone with any similar experiences?
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
No similar experience, but...a couple years/models back Benz had many evaporator failures and required removing the dash to get at the part....like $5K - $6K worth of work. An evaporator is $430 on line. I wonder how much an indy would charge to install it? What about dealer warranty on the last fix? I thought they charged you $1600 to fix the AC?
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by mleskovar
No similar experience, but...a couple years/models back Benz had many evaporator failures and required removing the dash to get at the part....like $5K - $6K worth of work. An evaporator is $430 on line. I wonder how much an indy would charge to install it? What about dealer warranty on the last fix? I thought they charged you $1600 to fix the AC?
1. Make sure this is the right diagnosis. See a different dealer.
2. Dispute the price. Repeatedly. Ask them why they effed up your car, and blew the diagnosis.
3. If its legit, and nobody will budge on the price, an independent shop is your best bet. Finding one with the right computer tools for a modern Benz could be an issue. I'm not sure if any Das work would be needed after replacing the evaporator.
4. Call MBUSA. They do suck, but frankly MB sales are on the slide, they might actually want you to buy another benz in the future. Make sure they understand that relationship.
Good luck.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 404
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
That doesn't sound right.
If it is blowing cold air on one side then there is something wrong with the flow controls, not the evaporator.
Ask to talk to the mechanic and to explain to you why you would need a new evaporator when it is blowing cold air on one side of the car. Who knows, maybe it was the SA blowing smoke trying to pad his numbers and the mechanic never actually looked at it. I would definitely get another opinion.
If it is blowing cold air on one side then there is something wrong with the flow controls, not the evaporator.
Ask to talk to the mechanic and to explain to you why you would need a new evaporator when it is blowing cold air on one side of the car. Who knows, maybe it was the SA blowing smoke trying to pad his numbers and the mechanic never actually looked at it. I would definitely get another opinion.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Originally Posted by mleskovar
No similar experience, but...a couple years/models back Benz had many evaporator failures and required removing the dash to get at the part....like $5K - $6K worth of work. An evaporator is $430 on line. I wonder how much an indy would charge to install it? What about dealer warranty on the last fix? I thought they charged you $1600 to fix the AC?
Why haven't the engineers at daimler moved the evaporator to an easier place to get at? I think it's ridiculous to have that much labor on a $430 part.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Originally Posted by shorthair
That doesn't sound right.
If it is blowing cold air on one side then there is something wrong with the flow controls, not the evaporator.
Ask to talk to the mechanic and to explain to you why you would need a new evaporator when it is blowing cold air on one side of the car. Who knows, maybe it was the SA blowing smoke trying to pad his numbers and the mechanic never actually looked at it. I would definitely get another opinion.
If it is blowing cold air on one side then there is something wrong with the flow controls, not the evaporator.
Ask to talk to the mechanic and to explain to you why you would need a new evaporator when it is blowing cold air on one side of the car. Who knows, maybe it was the SA blowing smoke trying to pad his numbers and the mechanic never actually looked at it. I would definitely get another opinion.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 404
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Air flow should be mostly symetrical from side to side. Play with all the settings and positions. If it is not you should start with that first.
There are a bunch of actuators to control airflow in the cabin, and since they replaced the wiring harness they may have messed one or more of them up.
I agree with the dealer - to replace the evaporator they have to rip the entire dashboard out and an indy may screw it up.
There are a bunch of actuators to control airflow in the cabin, and since they replaced the wiring harness they may have messed one or more of them up.
I agree with the dealer - to replace the evaporator they have to rip the entire dashboard out and an indy may screw it up.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Evaporators go bad because they leak Sometimes you can spray a liquid in them that solidifies when it hits the air.....and blocks the leak. Doesn't always work or doesn't always last a long time but sometimes it does and is worth a try.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by shorthair
That doesn't sound right.
If it is blowing cold air on one side then there is something wrong with the flow controls, not the evaporator.
Ask to talk to the mechanic and to explain to you why you would need a new evaporator when it is blowing cold air on one side of the car. Who knows, maybe it was the SA blowing smoke trying to pad his numbers and the mechanic never actually looked at it. I would definitely get another opinion.
If it is blowing cold air on one side then there is something wrong with the flow controls, not the evaporator.
Ask to talk to the mechanic and to explain to you why you would need a new evaporator when it is blowing cold air on one side of the car. Who knows, maybe it was the SA blowing smoke trying to pad his numbers and the mechanic never actually looked at it. I would definitely get another opinion.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Originally Posted by Outland
He's got a good point. This is gonna sound dumb, but are all the vent thumbwheels opened fully?
The left side blows much stronger than the right. The right is somewhat cold not real cold.
The dealer offered to pay for half of the parts (approx 400) so I would stil be stuck with a 2300 bill. I told them thanks but no thanks and then called MBUSA. The rep told me they would get back to me within a couple of days. If they decide not to pay for it no sweat it will be the last benz I own. Going back to VW :p
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 404
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by WyattEarp
All thumbwheels fully opened
The left side blows much stronger than the right. The right is somewhat cold not real cold.
The dealer offered to pay for half of the parts (approx 400) so I would stil be stuck with a 2300 bill. I told them thanks but no thanks and then called MBUSA. The rep told me they would get back to me within a couple of days. If they decide not to pay for it no sweat it will be the last benz I own. Going back to VW :p
The left side blows much stronger than the right. The right is somewhat cold not real cold.
The dealer offered to pay for half of the parts (approx 400) so I would stil be stuck with a 2300 bill. I told them thanks but no thanks and then called MBUSA. The rep told me they would get back to me within a couple of days. If they decide not to pay for it no sweat it will be the last benz I own. Going back to VW :p
Definitely speak to the mech team lead at the dealer for the team that serviced it and go over things. (Ignore the SA and the managers.) Have him tell you why the air flow is so messed up and why it was returned to you in that condition when it clearly wasn't like that when you brought it in.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Originally Posted by WyattEarp
If they decide not to pay for it no sweat it will be the last benz I own
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by WyattEarp
All thumbwheels fully opened
The left side blows much stronger than the right. The right is somewhat cold not real cold.
The dealer offered to pay for half of the parts (approx 400) so I would stil be stuck with a 2300 bill. I told them thanks but no thanks and then called MBUSA. The rep told me they would get back to me within a couple of days. If they decide not to pay for it no sweat it will be the last benz I own. Going back to VW :p
The left side blows much stronger than the right. The right is somewhat cold not real cold.
The dealer offered to pay for half of the parts (approx 400) so I would stil be stuck with a 2300 bill. I told them thanks but no thanks and then called MBUSA. The rep told me they would get back to me within a couple of days. If they decide not to pay for it no sweat it will be the last benz I own. Going back to VW :p
I agree with shorthair, it sounds like the dealer phucked this up.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Originally Posted by Outland
You probably should realize that they do read the forumns, and youre not helping your chances this way.
I agree with shorthair, it sounds like the dealer phucked this up.
I agree with shorthair, it sounds like the dealer phucked this up.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 641
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From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Well it's goodbye 2002 coupe. I've received no response from MBUSA hence I am officially dumping the 02 coupe for a VW Passat for my wife. In 36 months I will say goodbye to Mercedes Benz permanently. Hopefully it will help out the rest of you.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
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From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
I know it's been 6 months since the last update to this thread, but I just want to let others know I now have the same damn problem!!! It is true that one side will come out colder than the other, I think this might just be cause the AC coolant is low and happens to get to one side better than the other. My vents were all fine prior to the evap core going. You can tell it is low on coolant because you'll get a hissing sound that gets louder and goes away. Anyway, I'm in the same predicament. $2000 to fix the evap core. The work time calls for 11 hours!
Anyway, I'm thinking of doing it myself with some help from a relative thats cert to work on A/C's. He's just never taken out the dash of a MB. Anyone know a good place to maybe get some diagrams of the dash, or directions on how to start taking the thing out? I've already had some parts off before, I'm just figuring there a MUCH bigger picture.
Maybe its time for an 08' C350 ??
Anyway, I'm thinking of doing it myself with some help from a relative thats cert to work on A/C's. He's just never taken out the dash of a MB. Anyone know a good place to maybe get some diagrams of the dash, or directions on how to start taking the thing out? I've already had some parts off before, I'm just figuring there a MUCH bigger picture.
Maybe its time for an 08' C350 ??
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
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230
The AC condensor went in mine this summer, 03 coupe, and was told by GermanStar MB uses a pour quality condensor that is know to fail, so I paid a few bucks more and got a better quality condensor.
This will be my last MB, too many problems, Lexus or Audi next.
This will be my last MB, too many problems, Lexus or Audi next.
