Now on to the next problem: a metal air line on the side of my condenser has broken off. JB Weld didn't work. Has anyone replaced a condenser on a w220?

My indy mechanic quoted me $1198 including tax. Another mechanic told me he could pull the condenser out without removing the radiator (something about heat staples and how body shops would replace a condenser???) then he could either install a new condenser or weld the old one. He quoted me $500 for labor.

Is this really a difficult job or can it be done as a DIY job? How difficult is it to remove the radiator and the fan?

Instructions say to remove fan shroud. I have never removed the radiator but attached are the WIS instructions along with a parts list. Pricing on a brand new condenser (220 500 00 54) ranges from $268-$367 + shipping.

$500 labor sounds fair probably 4-5 hours. Book time for the bare job is 3.4 hours but could easily be increased with misc add ons. You can do the job yourself for the price of the condenser plus R134. The only thing you may need help with is the system recharge but even that you could do with a recharge kit.

Have you done a search on MBWorld or Benzworld for first hand experiences??

Good Luck,

Bob

You can do it without removing the radiator, but you would almost certainly hav to remove the radiator support brackets, which needs the front bumper to come off.

Its straightforward stuff, but the whole area is filled with plastic ducts and brackets which makes it difficult to see what you're doing until you've done it.

Nick

I was able to get the condenser out easily by removing the fan and then tilting the radiator back. I did not have to drain or remove the radiator completely.

Unfortunately, when I opened the box containing my brand new condenser, it was the wrong one even though I went to great lengths to ensure I was ordering the correct one.

So I ended up installing the wrong condenser, since I need a/c, and it works! I had to do a little bending where the lines connect into the condenser and also had to bypass the power steering cooler. It shouldn't be a problem unless I do any street racing, which I won't.

Congrats on getting it done and doing it yourself- and thanks for the update to this thread, very good information.

Did you have to remove the front bumper?