Cost of A/C compressor et al. replacement
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
Cost of A/C compressor et al. replacement
I have a 1989 300E W124 with 210,000+ on the clock.
The A/C compressor was leaking Freon and then started to make a nasty loud noise (that matched the engine RPM speed) after it got refilled with bug juice.
Took it back in and my mechanic says the compressor is in its death throes. Said it would cost (US) $1300 to replace
That's more than the whole car is worth!
I asked why so much, he said the compressor alone is $1080, he can get a deal on it for $780, the rest is other related parts and labor.
I don't really have $1300 handy right now. And of course it's 98°F today here in sunny SoCal.
Starting to feel like I'm throwing good money after bad. Is shelling out this kind of money my only real option (I can't afford to toss the car and have a car payment)? Nothing cheaper?
The A/C compressor was leaking Freon and then started to make a nasty loud noise (that matched the engine RPM speed) after it got refilled with bug juice.
Took it back in and my mechanic says the compressor is in its death throes. Said it would cost (US) $1300 to replace
That's more than the whole car is worth!
I asked why so much, he said the compressor alone is $1080, he can get a deal on it for $780, the rest is other related parts and labor.
I don't really have $1300 handy right now. And of course it's 98°F today here in sunny SoCal.
Starting to feel like I'm throwing good money after bad. Is shelling out this kind of money my only real option (I can't afford to toss the car and have a car payment)? Nothing cheaper?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
How does one do that?
I have visions of this hulk of metal taking up room in my driveway/yard, missing a dozen vital pieces that have been cherry-picked as a result of "parting it out". I would prefer to get rid of it entirely, given that kind of scenario.
I have visions of this hulk of metal taking up room in my driveway/yard, missing a dozen vital pieces that have been cherry-picked as a result of "parting it out". I would prefer to get rid of it entirely, given that kind of scenario.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 149
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From: Sacramento
16 E350 wagon, 94 AMG, sold -95 E320 Sportline wagon & 94 E420 & 95 E320 coupe & 92 190 16v
Used and guaranteed ones go for around $100. Labor should be no more than two hours.
Keep the car, get a new mechanic
Keep the car, get a new mechanic
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
I'd love to find a place within hailing distance of Pasadena that would do it for $100 + 2 hours' labor!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,450
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
Ask 2phast, he's parting out MB's.
Another guy quoted me $150 for a used, but guaranteed compressor. REPORT your mechanic. Who is he?
Another guy quoted me $150 for a used, but guaranteed compressor. REPORT your mechanic. Who is he?
Last edited by 190E 16V; Jul 17, 2010 at 03:03 AM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
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From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
Might try this guy I found over in NoHo - Benny's Independent on Magnolia.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 710
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From: Beverly Hills, CA
03' CL55 AMG
For my E320 coupe a new OEM Denso with clutch was around $375 and labor was around $120/$160
The place i bought the part from is in Costa Mesa OC, called Mesa Performance, i believe they even gave me back like $60/$75 for te core once the new one was installed
The place i bought the part from is in Costa Mesa OC, called Mesa Performance, i believe they even gave me back like $60/$75 for te core once the new one was installed
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
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1987 300E, 1995 C280
My mechanic is Corey's Independent Mercedes in Montrose. He's really close to my work (there's one in La Cañada that's closer, but they were a serious rip-off joint and the owner was a grumpy old b@st@rd) so needing service was a lot easier to deal with than going elsewhere (i.e. easy to get to work after dropping the car off).
Might try this guy I found over in NoHo - Benny's Independent on Magnolia.
Might try this guy I found over in NoHo - Benny's Independent on Magnolia.
oh and avoid westwood mercedes on pontius near sawtelle.. his work is good but he is senile, and usually charges up the ***..
i used to take my w202 for everything there.. he does a coolant flush, "forgets" to replace the thermostat, and wanted me to pay for another coolant flush.. then i had an ac solenoid problem with the 202.. he apparently printed out a w210 vacuum diagram... and was looking at that the whole time.. -___-
Last edited by funkgab; Jul 24, 2010 at 10:30 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 15
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From: Sterling, VA
'95 E320 Cabrio, '87 325e
I bought a new compressor for my E320 the other day from autohausaz for $290 (denso) brand new with clutch. I was quoted 1200 at a shop on wednesday to replace the compressor, receiver/drier and a fill. Needless to say I will be doing this myself, despite the 100 degree heat.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
Update: I called Benny and he said "Why not eliminate the middleman, just go straight to Lucas Auto Air in Van Nuys, they're A/C specialists and I usually refer A/C problems to them".
So I went over and they had a look ... the verdict:
A/C system is empty of refrigerant R134A.
Compressor is leaking and noisy.
Evaporator is leaking.
Suction hose is leaking.
Discharge hose is leaking.
Vacuum problem (need to replace the vacuum motors inside dashboard).
Recommended repairs:
Replace compressor (remanufactured Nippon Denso).
Replace drier.
Replace expansion valve.
Replace suction hose.
Replace discharge hose.
Replace evaporator.
Replace high-pressure switch.
Replace vacuum motors.
Estimated cost of repair: $2600
So I went over and they had a look ... the verdict:
A/C system is empty of refrigerant R134A.
Compressor is leaking and noisy.
Evaporator is leaking.
Suction hose is leaking.
Discharge hose is leaking.
Vacuum problem (need to replace the vacuum motors inside dashboard).
Recommended repairs:
Replace compressor (remanufactured Nippon Denso).
Replace drier.
Replace expansion valve.
Replace suction hose.
Replace discharge hose.
Replace evaporator.
Replace high-pressure switch.
Replace vacuum motors.
Estimated cost of repair: $2600
Last edited by Riot Nrrrd; Jul 26, 2010 at 07:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
From what I understand, half of this estimate is just because to get at the vacuum motors they have to tear apart the dash and put everything back together (4-5 hours' labor).
Still, when it's 2 1/2 X the value of the car, it seems pretty silly to pour good money after bad at this point
Still, when it's 2 1/2 X the value of the car, it seems pretty silly to pour good money after bad at this point
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
I bought a new compressor for my E320 the other day from autohausaz for $290 (denso) brand new with clutch. I was quoted 1200 at a shop on wednesday to replace the compressor, receiver/drier and a fill. Needless to say I will be doing this myself, despite the 100 degree heat.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
E420
I would charge the system up and try to push through the heat for the next couple of months. Then drive it through the winter. Part the car out next summer when it gets hot again. A car that old is hardly ever worth that repair amount.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
4-5 hrs? Try 18-22. I just replaced the evaporator on my '94. It took me about 5 hrs just to take it apart. BTW, dealers charge 20.5 hrs for the dash job, not counting the compresor.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
I've taken a dash apart from my parts car and it didn't take more than a couple of hours, but that's without being as careful labeling, thinking of re installation, and taking my time trying not to break anything. Breaking the box loose from the chassis for me was the most difficult and I had the advantage that the engine was out giving me access / leverage from the engine compartment. It will be faster the second and third time around.
book hours are very conservative...
book hours are very conservative...
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
Next time I'll do it in much less time too, however, it seems to me that the original poster has never done it, so 4-5 hrs for the entire job? no way.
