Common areas for an AC leak??
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 384
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
Common areas for an AC leak??
So I know I have an AC leak but for the life of me i cant find it. I have dye in the AC system and a UV flashlight but no where in the engine bay or the interior of the car can I find the leak. what are some common areas on this car for the AC to fail? thanks!
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I had the same problem, but finally found the leak. It was behind one of the electric fans. It was impossible to detect until the condenser and electric fans were removed.
See my thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ic-clutch.html
See my thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ic-clutch.html
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
The evaporator is the weakest point. It's part of the low-pressure side so it doesn't respond well to having too much pressure in the system.
Too many people just dump more freon in the system thinking it was "low" when in fact it needed a new condenser or receiver drier, this added freon brings the pressure up too high and you blow a hole in the evaporator. And out comes the entire dash to fix it. I did this job myself but it took 2 entire days. Shops charge $2500+
You better pray it's the compressor or condenser.
Too many people just dump more freon in the system thinking it was "low" when in fact it needed a new condenser or receiver drier, this added freon brings the pressure up too high and you blow a hole in the evaporator. And out comes the entire dash to fix it. I did this job myself but it took 2 entire days. Shops charge $2500+
You better pray it's the compressor or condenser.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
98% of time it's condenser. Pull the top support for the radiator remove 10mm bolts holding condenser to radiator to wedge apart a little, look down you'll see it, have to look on rear side of condenser should only take 5 minutes to do this.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Great time for this thread, my AC doesn't work for squat yet again. I had it "fixed" at a local euro shop last year, but yesterday I turned on the AC and was greeted by 20 mins of blast furnace air.
Do those "off-the-shelf" AC leak detection kits work? Or do I need a pro to do it?
Do those "off-the-shelf" AC leak detection kits work? Or do I need a pro to do it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 324
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Great time for this thread, my AC doesn't work for squat yet again. I had it "fixed" at a local euro shop last year, but yesterday I turned on the AC and was greeted by 20 mins of blast furnace air.
Do those "off-the-shelf" AC leak detection kits work? Or do I need a pro to do it?
Do those "off-the-shelf" AC leak detection kits work? Or do I need a pro to do it?
I'm 90% certain your condenser has a leak, so that will need to be changed. Change the evaporator/dryer at the same time....
Go check my thread. See post #2 above for the link
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
When I get a refill, the technician always fills it with the appropriate gas (certainly not Freon as that is a BIG no no in this part of the world...), some oil to keep the compressor lubricated and dye so that if the pressure drops you can look around with a UV light to detect the source of the leak.
I'm 90% certain your condenser has a leak, so that will need to be changed. Change the evaporator/dryer at the same time....
Go check my thread. See post #2 above for the link
I'm 90% certain your condenser has a leak, so that will need to be changed. Change the evaporator/dryer at the same time....
Go check my thread. See post #2 above for the link
Just to confirm, when you say evaporator/drier, you are referring to this part
Do I need to get a O-ring kit as well?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Exactly and take the O rings kit. 4 of them in two sizes
If you change the condenser, make sure to get the new valve also and the two O rings to connect the two bottom pipes and hoses...
If you change the condenser, make sure to get the new valve also and the two O rings to connect the two bottom pipes and hoses...
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 384
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
Pulled the radiator support out but I couldn't see any leak. I did notice I have the original condenser so I'm probably gonna bite the bullet and replace it
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
PSA: For what it's worth, RockAuto.com seemed to have a wide selection of different manufacturers for Benz parts. Prices were also lower than Autohaus/Pelican/ECS, etc. (which have been my normal, "go-to" parts stores)
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
my a/c problem was the compressor. i bought a rebuilt unit from these guys. very cheap, lifetime warranty, no core charge. works great think i paid just over $100
https://www.compresoresmiami.com/
https://www.compresoresmiami.com/
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 384
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
my a/c problem was the compressor. i bought a rebuilt unit from these guys. very cheap, lifetime warranty, no core charge. works great think i paid just over $100
https://www.compresoresmiami.com/
https://www.compresoresmiami.com/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,892
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Im almost pretty sure it has to be a leak and not a failure of a part because when i add the r134a with dye to the ac it blows very cold! but after a few days it gets warmer and warmer but i cant find the leak. probably will check rockauto for a new condenser and call it a day
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,892
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 384
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
I had my car ac looked at by an older mercedes mechanic down in titusville and he showed me that the dryer was fairly newish looking. do you think i should still replace it?
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From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
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Joined: Apr 2018
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From: socal
GL550 2008 4JGBF86E58A313619, Sprinter 2022
@Sulaco did you change the evaporator on an X164 car? can you share the instructions, pictures, tools, etc? thanks!
The evaporator is the weakest point. It's part of the low-pressure side so it doesn't respond well to having too much pressure in the system.
Too many people just dump more freon in the system thinking it was "low" when in fact it needed a new condenser or receiver drier, this added freon brings the pressure up too high and you blow a hole in the evaporator. And out comes the entire dash to fix it. I did this job myself but it took 2 entire days. Shops charge $2500+
You better pray it's the compressor or condenser.
Too many people just dump more freon in the system thinking it was "low" when in fact it needed a new condenser or receiver drier, this added freon brings the pressure up too high and you blow a hole in the evaporator. And out comes the entire dash to fix it. I did this job myself but it took 2 entire days. Shops charge $2500+
You better pray it's the compressor or condenser.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
@Sulaco did you change the evaporator on an X164 car? can you share the instructions, pictures, tools, etc? thanks!
If it happens again, I'm paying a shop whatever it takes to fix it. I'm not doing that job again. At the time, I was poor with no choice and my wife was pregnant. Now? I'd rather set the car on fire.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: socal
GL550 2008 4JGBF86E58A313619, Sprinter 2022
Negative. I've only done this in one car, my 1994 C280, and this was like 13 years ago.
If it happens again, I'm paying a shop whatever it takes to fix it. I'm not doing that job again. At the time, I was poor with no choice and my wife was pregnant. Now? I'd rather set the car on fire.
If it happens again, I'm paying a shop whatever it takes to fix it. I'm not doing that job again. At the time, I was poor with no choice and my wife was pregnant. Now? I'd rather set the car on fire.
my old x164 seems to have a leaking evaporator, as the water drain hole showed some UV dye there. An indy shop quoted $3000.
i'm thinking of doing it myself as the part is only $150. it looks like a very tedious and time consuming job, but nothing greasy or dangerous. which part of the job you hate most?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
thanks for the clarification. I searched x164 and this thread popped up as a related thread.
my old x164 seems to have a leaking evaporator, as the water drain hole showed some UV dye there. An indy shop quoted $3000.
i'm thinking of doing it myself as the part is only $150. it looks like a very tedious and time consuming job, but nothing greasy or dangerous. which part of the job you hate most?
my old x164 seems to have a leaking evaporator, as the water drain hole showed some UV dye there. An indy shop quoted $3000.
i'm thinking of doing it myself as the part is only $150. it looks like a very tedious and time consuming job, but nothing greasy or dangerous. which part of the job you hate most?
