AC leak
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 178
Likes: 45
2000 E320
AC leak
Aloha guys. It's been about a year after I refilled my AC system but the driver side slowly getting warmer now, it's time to refill again. But I don't want to do this every year, so I'm gonna tackle the leak problem and try to fix this.
I will shoot UV dye in it and trace the leak, but my question is, is there a specific place I should look for, such as bad o-ring connection or rubber hose deterioration. My previous ride was notorious to have bad o-ring at the compressor and hose manifold connection, so whenever there was a leak, that was one place everyone looked at first. Does our car (mine is 2000 E320) have such place(s) that I should look at, or it's pretty much random?
Now, I'm not asking for everyone to tell me where it's leaking from, but just point out to places that it's known to leak. If I'm lucky, I'll just evacuate the system and replace the o-ring(s) or whatever that needs my attention before I refill the system again. IF no such area, then no worries. I'll refill the system and do a complete line check, but if there is such a place, it may ease/shorten my search for trouble area.
So if there's any, please let me know. If not, have a wonderful Sunday!
I will shoot UV dye in it and trace the leak, but my question is, is there a specific place I should look for, such as bad o-ring connection or rubber hose deterioration. My previous ride was notorious to have bad o-ring at the compressor and hose manifold connection, so whenever there was a leak, that was one place everyone looked at first. Does our car (mine is 2000 E320) have such place(s) that I should look at, or it's pretty much random?
Now, I'm not asking for everyone to tell me where it's leaking from, but just point out to places that it's known to leak. If I'm lucky, I'll just evacuate the system and replace the o-ring(s) or whatever that needs my attention before I refill the system again. IF no such area, then no worries. I'll refill the system and do a complete line check, but if there is such a place, it may ease/shorten my search for trouble area.
So if there's any, please let me know. If not, have a wonderful Sunday!
Last edited by ilove190evo; Sep 15, 2024 at 05:42 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 789
Likes: 55
From: Henrico, Virginia
2014 ML350 4Matic
Get a cheap infrared detector at an auto parts store. Dye will show fluorescent green. First place to check - the condensate dripping from the evaporator drains under the car. Let the condensate pool, back the car up and check the pool for dye. Likely your evaporator is leaking.
Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 191
Likes: 58
E320
Aloha, ilove190evo! I've definitely seen this AC leak issue before in the 2000 E320, and you're on the right track with the UV dye. When I tackled similar problems, I found that the most common culprits are indeed the o-rings at the compressor connection and the rubber hoses, particularly where they bend or around the fittings. Don’t forget to give the evaporator and condenser a good visual inspection as well; those can hide leaks, especially if they've had any previous impact or corrosion.
