GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

Air Conditioning becoming mediocre

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Old 08-31-2022, 09:26 PM
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Took the car into a Local shop, they hooked up their gauges and found the system was low, added almost 2 lbs to it. Now the AC Cools equally on both sides. Previously I used one of the "A/C Pro" units that I got from O'Reilly Auto Parts, it didn't make any difference to it, but hooking up actual gauges to the car showed me the over the counter ac stuff was not very effective to the Benz.

On a side note, as the guy was unhooking the low press line right behind the drivers side headlight, he brushed up against a coolant line that goes to the auxiliary pump and snapped it clean off!! So I spent $62 buying a new hose assy and replacing some blue juice. But I got the AC Freon for free! Glad he found the weak connection, would have hated to find that far away from home on a road trip!

Chad
Old 08-31-2022, 10:21 PM
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While my a/c seemed to be working fine, I was not getting any condensate under the car from the evaporator. So I self-diagnosed clogged drain lines, though nothing seemed to be leaking into the cabin. Took it to the dealer today. They checked the drain lines, but said the problem was low refrigerant. They did an evac and recharge, and put dye in the system to check for leaks (none). Very noticeable drop in the outlet temp. And a nice bunch of condensate puddles after I pulled into the garage. BTW 88k on the clock.

Old 10-21-2022, 09:48 AM
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Well crap, not even two months after a charge the Driver's side ac vents blow ambient to cool air and the Passenger side blows Cold air. Just like it was before before the addition of Freon, I'm stumped.
I guess a trip to a local MB repair shop is in order, will need this resolved before the next Texas Summer or my wife will drive my truck!!

Chad
Old 10-21-2022, 01:51 PM
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MY'14 W212 M276 3.5NA @60kMi
it's official...

Chad, you have an A/C leak!

​​​​​​Finding that leak is easy with a sniffer tool or you can search for an oily spot olong pipes or the A/C condenser upfront.

El Cheapo A/C Valves... simple fun

You've had the system pumped so many times your Hi/Lo Schrader valves may be the leaky spot. Again there's a tool to replace them without losing any of the charge.

If all else fails to spot your leak, buy a charge-can for cheap with UV die included... it will help make the leak glow for ya.


The following 2 users liked this post by CaliBenzDriver:
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Old 10-22-2022, 07:22 AM
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Thanks man, I'm gonna pump some dye in it this weekend and see what happens.
The tool you have a pic of (thanks for that) looks like the one I got for tires, its a Schrader removal tool that I use to change out bike tires and scooter tires. Thanks again, love these forums, saving me cash!

Chad
Old 10-22-2022, 12:07 PM
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there's a much better valve tool dedicated to A/C work.
It keeps the pressure inside while the Hi/Lo valves are being replaced.
So you don't need to vacuum at all.. trst for leaks with a little spit over valve area - Look for foaming as you would for a tire valve.

Pressure here are 3 to 4x greater... so wearing eye protection is a pretty good idea!

Leak come out with lub oil so look for any obvious spots with greasy wetness signs.
Old 10-23-2022, 11:44 AM
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Is the Xentry the best scanner/diagnostic tool?
Old 10-23-2022, 11:59 AM
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Xentry DAS

Originally Posted by reg8667
Is the Xentry the best scanner/diagnostic tool?
Yes, the factory tool is the most compatible with the most extensive coverage.
Old 10-23-2022, 01:37 PM
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HVAC cool tool...


here is that special time saver!


Enjoy ✌️
Old 11-09-2022, 03:15 PM
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Well crap! Drained the system and replaced the Schrader Valves in the High Side and the Low Side, recharged system and at the moment the same condition exists. Passenger Side is cold and the drivers side is cool (leaning towards room temp). So after depleting system and adding Red Leak Detector/Sealer and then filling to operating pressure the system has NOT changed.
Compressor Clutch turns on and off as commanded and again the Passenger Side is cold. There has to be (in my opinion) a switch somewhere that is not commanding the system to "Cold" on the Drivers side. What switch or what component would that be and where is it located?

On a side note, the air coming out smells like Gym Socks, I added the AC Pro mold an mildew removal but it still reeks when you turn the fan on. Is there a low point somewhere that this stagnant smell is conglomerating? How do I get to that?
Thanks gents!

Chad
Old 11-10-2022, 05:03 AM
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Some misconception. As usual. Changing Schrader valves or adding freon wont fix climate control imbalance. You need to do climate control scan on official equipment, because either your control block is not working or some of the flaps stuck
Old 11-10-2022, 07:17 AM
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Looks like its a trip to a Repair Shop then, was trying to avoid that.

Chad
Old 11-15-2022, 10:32 AM
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To reiterate this comment, my Freon was recharged 7 months ago and its still blowing very cold. Did the same for X3 and both are going strong.
Old 02-27-2023, 06:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Tiffany's GL450
Looks like its a trip to a Repair Shop then, was trying to avoid that.

Chad
Did you get this sorted? Mine is doing the exact same (although I'm in Aus so I think our drivers/passengers is opposite) and about to send it in for a regas. I've scanned with the icarsoft and there's no issues but a clear difference in the front vent temperature sensors.
Old 02-27-2023, 09:06 PM
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Gooday Mate, hope all is well down under!
Well I'm not sure if it worked or not, the weather cooled off so we didn't use the AC much at all for the rest of the year. But it's starting to warm so we will be using the AC soon I'm sure. I have a question for the guys on here, the soured smell from the AC is still in the Car, I have ran 2 cans of AC PRO thru it to try and get rid of it but with no luck.
Does the car have a drain plug somewhere on the AC Unit, assuming it is puddling? Can I inject a cleaner or hell even Carb Cleaner to get rid of the smell into the hole of that drain plug, if it has one?

Thanks guys!
Chad
Old 03-11-2023, 10:25 AM
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Does the AC unit inside the car have a drain port where the condensation is puddling and making that sour smell? Or under the hood?

Chad
Old 03-16-2023, 07:27 PM
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We are having issues where when the car is at speed the AC seems to stop but when sitting idle it will come back and be super cold. Was thinking expansion valve needs to be replaced.
Old 03-22-2023, 08:06 AM
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Smell location? Anyone?

Chad
Old 03-27-2023, 04:52 AM
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
Chad, you have an A/C leak!

​​​​​​Finding that leak is easy with a sniffer tool or you can search for an oily spot olong pipes or the A/C condenser upfront.

El Cheapo A/C Valves... simple fun

You've had the system pumped so many times your Hi/Lo Schrader valves may be the leaky spot. Again there's a tool to replace them without losing any of the charge.

If all else fails to spot your leak, buy a charge-can for cheap with UV die included... it will help make the leak glow for ya.

Thanks for this info on this tool…. easy and inexpensive enough to even have on hand for the…” just in case” option!

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