GLE 400 AC takes 10 mins when hit out
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
From: Cape Cod
'19 GLE 400
GLE 400 AC takes 10 mins when hot outside
Hi,
just bought a 2019 GLE 400. The AC was recharged 2 years ago and 8k mi ago by previous owner. It’s a black car. When it’s 80 deg it takes 10 mins to blow cold air. Tire shop does AC recharges etc and they looked at it and said it was fine. I still wonder. My previous 2018 GLE 350 seemed to cool faster.
the ac periodically makes a Darth Vader exhale sound.
can I buy a recharge canister at Auto Zone and try and top off the system?
What if it is actually full already?
Will I mess something up or will it just not allow refrigerant into the system so I can’t screw it up?
thanks
Peter
2019 GLE 400, 70k mi
just bought a 2019 GLE 400. The AC was recharged 2 years ago and 8k mi ago by previous owner. It’s a black car. When it’s 80 deg it takes 10 mins to blow cold air. Tire shop does AC recharges etc and they looked at it and said it was fine. I still wonder. My previous 2018 GLE 350 seemed to cool faster.
the ac periodically makes a Darth Vader exhale sound.
can I buy a recharge canister at Auto Zone and try and top off the system?
What if it is actually full already?
Will I mess something up or will it just not allow refrigerant into the system so I can’t screw it up?
thanks
Peter
2019 GLE 400, 70k mi
Last edited by healp; May 21, 2026 at 02:08 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 2,044
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
Hi,
just bought a 2019 GLE 400. The AC was recharged 2 years ago and 8k mi ago by previous owner. It’s a black car. When it’s 80 deg it takes 10 mins to blow cold air. Tire shop does AC recharges etc and they looked at it and said it was fine. I still wonder. My previous 2018 GLE 350 seemed to cool faster.
the ac periodically makes a Darth Vader exhale sound.
can I buy a recharge canister at Auto Zone and try and top off the system?
What if it is actually full already?
Will I mess something up or will it just not allow refrigerant into the system so I can’t screw it up?
thanks
Peter
2019 GLE 400, 70k mi
just bought a 2019 GLE 400. The AC was recharged 2 years ago and 8k mi ago by previous owner. It’s a black car. When it’s 80 deg it takes 10 mins to blow cold air. Tire shop does AC recharges etc and they looked at it and said it was fine. I still wonder. My previous 2018 GLE 350 seemed to cool faster.
the ac periodically makes a Darth Vader exhale sound.
can I buy a recharge canister at Auto Zone and try and top off the system?
What if it is actually full already?
Will I mess something up or will it just not allow refrigerant into the system so I can’t screw it up?
thanks
Peter
2019 GLE 400, 70k mi
Now, why is it taking that long to cool? If you are willing to wait the 10/15 min, you can borrow the AC pressure gauges from AutoZone/Advance Auto Parts/OReillys and connect them. Take note of the pressures when the engine is OFF, and AC OFF, start your engine let it warm, and turn the AC ON and if possible have it up to 1500 RPM (you can fake it using a stick on the pedal and move the seat until the RPM is that value). Monitor the AC low/high pressures to see if they suddenly change once the cold air starts coming out through the vents. If you have a bi-directional scanner, you can also monitor the ECV actuation by the ECU, or manual set the amount of cooling you want for a few seconds.
If the system is fully charged, and the compressor internals are good, it can be one of the following:
1 - Sticky ECV?
2 - Sticky temperature, sun/solar sensor?
3 - The clutch is not engaging until it is warm?
4 - AC pressure sensor?
The system must be diagnosed with tools before throwing more parts/refrigerant at it.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 138
From: Washington D.C. area
16 GLE400 4matic
Hi,
just bought a 2019 GLE 400. The AC was recharged 2 years ago and 8k mi ago by previous owner. It’s a black car. When it’s 80 deg it takes 10 mins to blow cold air. Tire shop does AC recharges etc and they looked at it and said it was fine. I still wonder. My previous 2018 GLE 350 seemed to cool faster.
the ac periodically makes a Darth Vader exhale sound.
can I buy a recharge canister at Auto Zone and try and top off the system?
What if it is actually full already?
Will I mess something up or will it just not allow refrigerant into the system so I can’t screw it up?
thanks
Peter
2019 GLE 400, 70k mi
just bought a 2019 GLE 400. The AC was recharged 2 years ago and 8k mi ago by previous owner. It’s a black car. When it’s 80 deg it takes 10 mins to blow cold air. Tire shop does AC recharges etc and they looked at it and said it was fine. I still wonder. My previous 2018 GLE 350 seemed to cool faster.
the ac periodically makes a Darth Vader exhale sound.
can I buy a recharge canister at Auto Zone and try and top off the system?
What if it is actually full already?
Will I mess something up or will it just not allow refrigerant into the system so I can’t screw it up?
thanks
Peter
2019 GLE 400, 70k mi
Last edited by amusa; May 22, 2026 at 04:47 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 2,044
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
Likely a sticky ECV. I had similar issue on the 2012 ML350.
Once evacuated, it may be a good time to replace the Schrader's valves as well. The 2014 E, and 2015 ML are both on original refrigerant charge, and cool like a refrigerator
Here is my experience with the 2012 ML,
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ml#post8701958
Once evacuated, it may be a good time to replace the Schrader's valves as well. The 2014 E, and 2015 ML are both on original refrigerant charge, and cool like a refrigerator
Here is my experience with the 2012 ML,
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ml#post8701958
Last edited by JCM_MB; May 22, 2026 at 04:55 AM.
