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Adoni
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Vehicle(s): '00 G500, '15 C300 4Matic, '06 L322 G4
Posts: 1283
| Bad AC Condenser
Had my truck in for some routine maintenance. As it is starting to heat up, I noticed my AC isn't performing as I would like, not that the AC in the 2000 G500 is any great shakes. My mechanic noticed that the AC is completely vacated of coolant so he started looking for leaks. Nothing was apparent, so he recharged the system and put some dye in as well as had some tool. Ultimately the reader went off the charts at the fins on the AC condenser. It wasn't any of the lines and we cant determine the exact issue without completely disassembling the unit.
Has anyone run into this issue? Does the condenser unit routinely fail? It appears to be the same unit as on an '03. Does anyone know if their is an alternative from another car or a Behr etc? MBZ wants a good chunk of change for the new part. All feedback welcome.
Cheers! |
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 464
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
Had my 04 condenser replaced last summer, if I remember correctly, it was around $1100 with labor. Seems there are many replacements online for short cash but my Indy refused to work with anything but VIN#-OEM. It was worth it in the end, cooling is now pretty damn good, despite feedback from many folk's.
As far as using from a like vehicle, I have no idea. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE.
Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!! |
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Adoni
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Vehicle(s): '00 G500, '15 C300 4Matic, '06 L322 G4
Posts: 1283
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
H1LM002G55 - 5/18/2016 6:09 PM
Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE.
Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!!
Thank you SIR! I will make sure to change the isolation mounts as part of the condenser/dryer work. Did you replace the expansion valve as well? I mention the dryer because it was recommended I replace this as part of the job. |
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
Adoni - 5/19/2016 12:29 PM
H1LM002G55 - 5/18/2016 6:09 PM
Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE.
Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!!
Thank you SIR! I will make sure to change the isolation mounts as part of the condenser/dryer work. Did you replace the expansion valve as well? I mention the dryer because it was recommended I replace this as part of the job.
before you replace the $$$ condenser: I had a leak and MB in Gamble City wanted $$$$$$. I was actually only the o-rings at the condenser connections... |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
Adoni - 5/19/2016 3:29 PM
H1LM002G55 - 5/18/2016 6:09 PM
Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE.
Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!!
Thank you SIR! I will make sure to change the isolation mounts as part of the condenser/dryer work. Did you replace the expansion valve as well? I mention the dryer because it was recommended I replace this as part of the job.
1. Expansion valve not needed
2. The filter/dryer I did change. I bought the one Euro truck offers and it is great. Thank you, Euro Truck!
3. If they recommend you do something, do it. Take it to Collie Auto in the Bay Area. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
oskar - 5/19/2016 4:47 PM
Adoni - 5/19/2016 12:29 PM
H1LM002G55 - 5/18/2016 6:09 PM
Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE.
Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!!
Thank you SIR! I will make sure to change the isolation mounts as part of the condenser/dryer work. Did you replace the expansion valve as well? I mention the dryer because it was recommended I replace this as part of the job.
before you replace the $$$ condenser: I had a leak and MB in Gamble City wanted $$$$$$. I was actually only the o-rings at the condenser connections...
True. But it is pretty easy to figure out if you need a condenser. If you use an electronic leak detector, that works best. But you can easily look through the front grille below the hood and notice if the condenser appears "wet" with refrigerant and refrigerant oil...which will be stuck to the fins, making the fins appear opaque.
I posted a picture of a failed condenser that I had that gave up the ghost after only a few months and limited miles of use.
Edited by H1LM002G55 5/19/2016 5:26 PM
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
Can you please post the P/N of the vibration isolators when you buy them? I'd like to change these before my condenser goes. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
You should look it up based on your vin code. It is different for every G. You need to look up the proper parts using your VIN. I think they call them rubber mounts or rubber isolaters. They look like a round bumper made of rubber with a threaded end...at least the ones on the 500GE. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
Read all of this thread:
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=22333&po... |
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 464
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
oskar - 5/19/2016 4:47 PM Adoni - 5/19/2016 12:29 PM H1LM002G55 - 5/18/2016 6:09 PM Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE. Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!! Thank you SIR! I will make sure to change the isolation mounts as part of the condenser/dryer work. Did you replace the expansion valve as well? I mention the dryer because it was recommended I replace this as part of the job. before you replace the $$$ condenser: I had a leak and MB in Gamble City wanted $$$$$$. I was actually only the o-rings at the condenser connections... ^^^ Make sure the condenser O-rings are ordered as well. I now remember the first AC coolant recharge with my Indie, turned out to be the o-rings. This leaked fluid in all surrounding radiator cooling fins, made it hard to sniff the actual location of the condenser leak, until a week later, little to no cooling from AC, condenser was replaced. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
There are aftermarket condensors on Ebay. I bought used OEM one from Serpe 4 years ago. actually wish I had bought the cheaper new version in retrospect. But I have an OEM fixation. My condensor had been crushed with some front end damage. |
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BlueG
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2009
Location: DC
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 714
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
H1LM002G55 - 5/18/2016 9:09 PM
Gone through 3 condensers I think so far on the 500GE.
Do a search. Turns out the condensers (Behr/Hella is OEM) are made in Japan. The frame to fin interface is highly delicate and are prone to cracking IF the rubber mounts are not changed at the same time you change the condenser. Those rubber vibration isolaters are absolutely critical for preserving your condenser and need to be changed every few years. How do I know this? After replacing the second condenser, I called Graz, spoke to the top G technician...and he told me. Pretty good scam they have going as the vibration isolator / mounts are not referred to as a needed part when the condenser is ordered!!!
This is good information to have, thank you. Whenever mine needs a replacement I will get all related mounting bushings. In your case however I would be upset with my mechanic for putting in degraded rubber and not so much MB for not specifying something a mechanic should use his professional judgement on. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
1. The rubber bushings showed no signs of degradation. I stated that in my post. They looked fine to the naked eye. I guess they hardened up with age. They looked nearly identical to the new bushings.
2. MB should specify that the rubber bushings be changed at a mileage or year interval, and when the condenser is changed since there was no way to tell that they were bad. I even recall measuring them with calipers and seeing no real difference. |
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BlueG
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2009
Location: DC
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 714
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
When you would have a failure with the old rubber mounts - where would it start leaking?
Edited by BlueG 5/22/2016 11:49 PM
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Bad AC Condenser
The fin to frame area on the sides. I posted a picture of this. See link above to other thread. |
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TexWagen
Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 115
| RE: Bad AC Condenser
I got this for my 2003 a couple of years ago:
http://www.amazon.com/Denso-471-1464-A-C-Compressor/dp/B004SG55M0?i...
The price on Amazon now is $352.78 with free shipping.
I also replaced the receiver drier with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-83183-Receiver-Drier/dp/B005F9HT...
which is currently running $31.11 on Amazon, also with free shipping.
A local shop did the install for me for a fair price.
Best of luck. |
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