09 E63 A/C Compressor dying. Will replace this week
08-26-2019 | 01:04 PM
#1
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 86
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From: Atlanta
2009 E63, 1984 500SEL AMG, 1984 500SEC AMG Widebody
09 E63 A/C Compressor dying. Will replace this week
Noticed the past few weeks that cold air has been slow to come on after starting my E63. Took it to the dealer to be checked and they said the R-134 freon was low (half charge). They added a dye and filled it back up but could find no leaks the next morning. Concluded the compressor was "weak" and recommended replacement for $1,900, including labor and a new drier. The Denso unit is $1,000 for a new unit or $700 for a rebuilt unit from MB Genuine Parts. Found a new direct OEM replacement Denso (made in Japan) on eBay for $356. Having my Indy replace it later this week.
Symptoms were slow cooling of the air - compressor would sometimes not engage for 4-5 minutes (blowing hot air) and also periods of barely cool air in certain stop and go traffic. I can also hear the compressor is making noises. Sporadic issues and clutch whine = dying compressor.
Symptoms were slow cooling of the air - compressor would sometimes not engage for 4-5 minutes (blowing hot air) and also periods of barely cool air in certain stop and go traffic. I can also hear the compressor is making noises. Sporadic issues and clutch whine = dying compressor.
08-26-2019 | 01:36 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,995
Likes: 516
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Thank you for providing symptoms of what a dying AC compressor does, before kicking the bucket. Now I know what to watch out for and the cost. 
08-29-2019 | 06:53 AM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 6
SL55 2003
Noticed the past few weeks that cold air has been slow to come on after starting my E63. Took it to the dealer to be checked and they said the R-134 freon was low (half charge). They added a dye and filled it back up but could find no leaks the next morning. Concluded the compressor was "weak" and recommended replacement for $1,900, including labor and a new drier. The Denso unit is $1,000 for a new unit or $700 for a rebuilt unit from MB Genuine Parts. Found a new direct OEM replacement Denso (made in Japan) on eBay for $356. Having my Indy replace it later this week.
Symptoms were slow cooling of the air - compressor would sometimes not engage for 4-5 minutes (blowing hot air) and also periods of barely cool air in certain stop and go traffic. I can also hear the compressor is making noises. Sporadic issues and clutch whine = dying compressor.
Symptoms were slow cooling of the air - compressor would sometimes not engage for 4-5 minutes (blowing hot air) and also periods of barely cool air in certain stop and go traffic. I can also hear the compressor is making noises. Sporadic issues and clutch whine = dying compressor.
Denso replacement aren't as good as OEM, when its 44+ Celsius degree here, its just blows warm air. Get an OEM used or new one.
09-01-2019 | 07:59 AM
#4
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 23
From: Atlanta
2009 E63, 1984 500SEL AMG, 1984 500SEC AMG Widebody
09-01-2019 | 03:50 PM
#5
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 6
SL55 2003
I don't really know these days if the supplied one to MB is the same as the factory one back on 2003-2006.
I've bought the denso replacement twice, and they both performed poorer compared to the used OEM/MB denso.
You can tell the difference immediately on hot day (45+ C°).
Unfortunately I had to buy the denso replacement recently (around 230$ here) as I couldn't find a used OEM one.
Last edited by mAMG; 09-01-2019 at 03:58 PM.
09-03-2019 | 11:33 PM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,796
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From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
When my condenser went bad on my E55 I believe the remanufactured unit was ~800 and labor was about 2-300. It was honestly about the same price as my Honda Accord tbh.
