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Sl600 ac clog up, maybe the condensor or expansion valve clog up
I took my sl600 to a tune up shop (percision tune auto care), and was told and I quote "System had 0.04LBs in system, would not take full charge, system has excessive pressure which indicates blockage in the system, compressor did not engage. Starting point would be condensor and expansion valve and may still need compressor."
so reapair everything in ac is 2,583 or 1,234 without compressor (both including labor and parts)
But an entire system failure seems high unlikely so im hoping its one of the other (condensor or expansion vavle)
also should i take my car to a mercedes specialist just for ac refill, because it might need the star commands to reboot the ac.
so thinking of replacing the ac condensor and expansion vavles myself, anything i need to know before doing so, and do i need to restart the ac system with a star diagnosis.
My AC was sort of working, but not very well, when I bought the car. I replaced the accumulator (any time the system is opened up) and the expansion valve. No improvement.
I have the star system, but it does not provide low side pressure, so hard to tell if the compressor was working properly (the gauge on the refill bottle is junk).
I used a 25% off coupon and bought a gauge set at Harbor Freight. It confirmed low pressure differential. So, compressor time.
Replaced the compressor (and accumulator, again).
AC now blows icy cold.
My symptoms are not the same as yours, so not saying you need a compressor.
The expansion valve is not hard. It is easiest if you remove the steel panel right behind the throttle body. No need to mess with the wipers or heater hoses (as the WIS instructs).
I did not change the condenser. I wanted to disconnect the hoses from it to facilitate the compressor change, but that hose manifold block was frozen in place on the condenser. I gave up, but was able to do the compressor swap anyway.
If you can get the hose manifold block off, the rest of the condenser change should be a piece of cake.
For the money, I would say replace both the expansion valve and condenser. That way you only pay for one accumulator and AC charge (although the freon is a negligible cost).
Unless the compressor has failed it is always engaged. Apparently the tech who looked at your car does not understand this.
If I took my R230 to a shop called "Precision Tune Auto Care" which I presume handles multiple makes, then my expectations for getting an accurate diagnosis for any major problem would be fairly low.
I suggest you buy a pair of gauges and diagnose the problem yourself, or you take the car to an independent Mercedes tech who has the requisite understanding of how the system works.
yeah I might just take it to the MB dealership (144$) for ac diagnostics vs 105-120 local MB specialist shops, atleast i get free dranks/snacks at the dealer and look at the new roadsters.
so how long does it take to replace the ac compressor,
but the main question for me when i replace these parts do i need the star diagnostics to reinitialize the AC system, or just have it recharge at a shop and it will come ba
On the 600 I believe you have to support the engine from above and drop the subframe to remove the compressor. I'll guesstimate it is a 6 hour job.
If you do not turn the climate control on in the course of doing your work, then I presume you won't set a fault code and will not need Star Diagnosis to clear a fault.
I've long held the notion that I would prefer to own a '600 instead of a '55, Alex, but with various repair jobs requiring more time and effort with the V-12 car, my enthusiasm for switching chassis is diminished.
Last edited by bobterry99; Sep 12, 2019 at 01:53 PM.
well i installed the expansion valve and it was as easy as you said (1 hour for me, coulda been quicker if the engine wasn't still hot), So guess I'll take my car to a ac shop and get it diagnose and see if the blockage fixed, left is old left is old left is old
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