Right in the heat of summer....tha wife drove the car into a wall by accident and must have punctured the condenser in the process. Fortunately it was winter and we had no need for the a/c...different story now. Prices quoted for replacement only were astronomical by my standards and so i looked for alternatives. Of all things, I tried JB Weld for metals, including aluminum and for the few dollars it was worth the try. Pulled the parts to access the condenser, cleaned the surface as best I could with a tooth brush and mixed the two part adhesive. I applied generously directly around the area and scraped the excess off of the front but made certain the puncture was filled. I let this sit overnight for the reccommended 12-15 hours for cure. Then I bought the recharge can with the guage for $35 at walmart...of course with the leak sealer and began to fill the system. I really did not have to worry abt the other balancing pressures because the system was completely empty when i started, not just low. it worked! Cold as ICE....Now I have a new problem. System works when I start the A/Cand the car is cold. With use and then stop the car to run an errand and restart the car, it will not restart the A/C. Took this to a reputable MBZ mechanic and for $108 he diagnosed the radiator/coolant fan assembly be replaced since those controls happen to be within the fan motor and a common problen on this CLK. The mechanic wanted $800 to replace the fan assembly but at the moment, I have found a new assembly online for $250 and PEP BOYZ will do it for much less than the mechanic. I have used PBOYZ before for work on this car and their work has been satisfactory.....no free, brand new loaner like tha dealer...but hey...the car is 11 years old.

b-fore tha crash