Benzben

I've got a 2005 C230 sedan with just under 78,000 miles. My AC had been blowing warmer last year, so they recharged the system and put the dye in. It blew cold for the rest of last summer, until about 2-3 weeks ago, so I took it in again. The dye's verdict was a leaking evaporator. That's a big job in and of itself (entire dash has to come off), so my SA said I could just try recharging it again and see how long it lasted (basically the entire summer last year).

When I brought it back in for the recharge, they checked the compressor and it had completely seized. So, I now need a new evaporator, a new compressor, and, I'm told, a new drier, as a part of the compressor replacement. I've priced it out at my dealer and a couple local indy shops, and they all come in between $3800 and $4300.

I'm not really questioning the diagnosis, so I guess I'm just looking for advice on what to do. To say I'm disappointed in Mercedes is an understatement. Having two major AC components crapping out in less than 7 years seems a little ridiculous. I don't like any of my options (including just driving around for the next three months with my windows down). The way I look at it, I'm spending at least $3800 no matter what--the only question is whether I "double down" on my car or trade it in as-is, see what I can get, and spend the money on a new(er) car. Preferably with some warranty time remaining. What would you do?

capt_paul

My AC compressor went out about a month out of warranty and the MB dealership would not goodwill mine, so I wnet to an Indy and $$$ later, I was back in business. Mine is an '05 as well.

Benzben

Yeah, if it was just the compressor, it wouldn't be too bad. The part itself is pricey, but it's only 2.5 hours of labor to remove and replace. The killer is the evaporator--I was quoted 11+ hours of labor because the entire dash has to be removed and replaced. I saw a time-lapse video of the job on YouTube and it looks like a complete PITA.

LegitLifeStyle

Yikes. I'm praying mine never fails now. 4k is one hell of an expensive repair bill for anything on a car, let alone the freaking A/C.

Damn near 1/3rd the price of a new C-Class these days.

Grey Rabbit

Seriously! 4k! That's almost the cost of a transmission replacement (almost). Christ i'm scared to turn mine on now lol.

Silver C

Im on an 01 and just changed my compressor a few months back. It was blowing warm and cold air alternately, until it just completely failed. But thats a huge money to put out man, my compressor and labour only took me around 700. But please mind that the labour cost here is next to nothing and they did take around 2-3 hours to swap the compressor out. But that was because one of the bolts was slacked, otherwise they told me they could have finished it off sooner. Goodluck mate!

billbillw

I think you meant the price of a USED C-class.

samaritrey

Yeah the evaporator failing in any car is a pain/expensive. My compressor is also about to go out it blew refrigerant out one day but since then it has been ok. But my system has a leak I think somewhere i hope it is not the evaporator.

Star Rider

Evap leaks are very common in automotive AC's. Chryslers are famous for it. I still refill my Jeep every summer. Used to do my old Jeep & my Sebring every summer when I owned them too. Several of my friends have me do their cars once a year. If it leaks you may be able to get by adding it every so often, but with compressor failure it's gonna get expensive. Try to find an indie shop to do it for a more reasonable price.

Carsy

I just wondered how does the A/C tech know when the evap is leaking by a dye test when it is hidden under the dash ? . By elimination I suppose.

The evaps should not let go . What would make one car more suseptable to leaks than another?

My old 94 ( 17 years) Peugeot evap is still operating like new.

leeer73

Any idea on how much the parts will cost you alone without labor?

Glyn M Ruck

Ask them how they know that the evapourator is leaking? Probably saw dye in the aircon drip water. It could just be a pipe union that needs nipping up.

billbillw

They can tell the Evap has a leak when they see dye in the condensate water that drips out the bottom of the car.

Star Rider

You have a Peugeot is 17 years old & it still runs? LOL! JK!
Chryslers were known for it since damn near every one developed evap leaks. They apparently can't make A/C evaps or transmissions! LOL! Not kidding...

TruTaing

Maybe Im nuts, but how does ANY tech take 11 hours to rip apart a dash and put it back together? :x My indy tech offered to remove my entire dash, replace every stepper motor, and re-install my dash under 5 hours, TOPS. I have such a hard time imagining ANYTHING done by a experienced/trained tech will take 11 hours, unless it requires replacing the motor/transmission or they dunno what they are doing...

Maybe someone who has removed a large portion of their dash can chime in on how long it actually takes to disassemble (from a non tech's and/or the "if i were to do it again" standpoint).

Good luck w/ your evaporator!

Dingleberry

They don't call it the stealership for nothing...

Benzben

It's not just the dealer--all the indies I've talked to have also confirmed the labor time. Watching this video certainly gives you an appreciation for the the time/effort involved:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVQXTbNvsuY

Benzben

I don't have the invoice in front of me, but I believe that's basically what my SA said. Even if it were just a pipe/fitting, wouldn't they have been able to isolate it somewhere in the area of the evaporator (i.e. behind the dash)? Meaning that even if a brand new evaporator was unnecessary, they'd still probably have to take out the whole dash to get to the area to fix it.

Benzben

I think I was able to tally up everything I would need on RMEuropean.com, with the exception of the new refrigerant, random fittings, etc. It came to just over $1000. I'm sure even the indies are trying to gouge me a little on the parts, but the majority of it is still labor cost. And this definitely isn't something I would ever even think about attempting as a DIY.

carbonfiberwhor

rmeuropean.com

DIY!

Carsy

Star Rider ,I will answer your amusing comment with facts !!

The 1994 405 diesel is used every day as a commuter - 48 mpg average. Drives & rides like a new one . Oil changed every 5000 km since new!!

My 1979 504 lasted 24 years & 450,000- km . Was still original in every way except for an alternator rebuild, pads & struts. The head was never removed . Oil changed every 7500 km & coolant yearly.

Our second car is a 1980 504 which has been in the family since new. All original , drives & handles secondary roads better than the C Class because of a long travel suspension.Highway mileage 32 MPG

Motor cars do not need to be a throw away item if they maintained & driven correctly.

How many USA cars in the early 1970's when the 504 was released had 4 wheel independent suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, rack & pinion steering & cross flow aluminium head ?.

mleskovar

Again I had a Peugeot gas wagon when I lived in Germany and it was a great car.

mleskovar

There are AC "stop leaks" available that don't clog the system. They are not DIY but I've heard they work...not always....but it's worth a try. That and a rebuilt compressor would be my plan.

Star Rider

It's all good my friend & I meant no disrespect. I was just poking a little fun. I hadn't noticed you were from down under! In the US Peugeot's are far & few between. I did have my eye's on one when I was about 20 that I wanted to buy. It needed some repair and at the time I couldn't find anyone to work on it so I passed. It was a cool car but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Carsy

Star Rider,Absolutely no offence taken. You have had a different culture in the US & liked big cube engines & floaty suspensions. Peugeots with small capacity engines & relatively heavy bodies would not have been popular . The aluminium heads needed care ie anti corrosion coolants regularly changed . The US cast iron was much more robust & did not mind a radiator full of red rusty bore water.