Where does the Freon go? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pimprig · #1 07-13-2007, 07:43 PM

Hi all, I didn’t use my ac for about a year and a half or so (you know the fan issue). Now that I got it fixed I need to add Freon!

Do I have a slow leak somewhere? Or is it normal to recharge the system every few years? Just what hapens to the freon?

Thanks

POS · #2 07-13-2007, 07:58 PM

You have a low leak if you lost it during one year's time - hose, schrader valve, at condensor, at compressor, etc.

gmercoleza · #3 07-13-2007, 08:05 PM

Sometimes NOT using the AC is what causes the very slow leak, due to irregular pressure and lubrication on the compressor seals. Having the shaft spin once in a while helps avoid this. If you charge it up and start using it regularly, you may find the leak disappears on its own.

This commonly happens with engine, tranny, and power steering seals as well.

Of course, the leak could be somewhere else, too. Just something you might want to consider.

MB-Dude · #4 07-13-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

Sometimes NOT using the AC is what causes the very slow leak, due to irregular pressure and lubrication on the compressor seals. Having the shaft spin once in a while helps avoid this. If you charge it up and start using it regularly, you may find the leak disappears on its own.

I once bought a '94 S320 that had been sitting idle for quite some time. When the car started, the A/C was non-existent - simply no cool air even though the fan was running. Got the A/C charged and perform a leak check, but could never find a leak. For the 4 years I owned the car, I never had a single A/C problem after charging the system, and I drove the car at least twice a week.

Always wondered where the Freon went! I had heard numerous possible explanations, but none of them made sense to me. I was ready to put the whole affair in the same category as aliens and Elvis sightings. But inactivity of the seals, I'll bet, was the culprit.

Matt L · #5 07-13-2007, 09:06 PM

Owner's manuals used to say to run the compressor at least once a week for this reason. I don't know if my car does this automatically if the temperature stays below freezing, but there is no way to turn the compressor on manually if it's very cold out. It runs full-time as long as the temperature is above 37F, and the evaporator isn't freezing.

Duke2.6 · #6 07-13-2007, 10:15 PM

On my '88 190E 2.6, engaging the climate control "Defrost" function turns on the compressor to dehumidify the air. So use defrost at least once a week to exercise the system during winter.

How do I know this?

Why, I read it in the Owners' Manual!

What a novel idea!

Duke

brewtoo · #7 07-13-2007, 10:20 PM

From time to time in the winter, when going down a big hill or decelerating in an off ramp, I turn on the AC to help with braking. It helps save the brakes, excercises the AC and rather than having to pay to run the compressor, it saves me a tiny bit of money. $3 a gallon, you know.

pimprig · #8 07-14-2007, 03:47 PM

Thanks for all the input guys! I haven’t been running the AC for a year or so. I just added some Freon yesterday and it feels like an ice box when the AC runs full blast

. So what about the lubricant in there? I didn’t add any because I read somewhere that too much and not enough is bad for the system! What do you guys recommend? is there any way for me to check the level?

truckinik · #9 07-14-2007, 03:54 PM

A/C Leaks are a *****. Good luck w/that..

zcc · #10 07-14-2007, 05:03 PM

You will be shocked if you see how they treat Benzes in Kuwait. It's more than 50c and the engine is suffering with 100c or more engine temp and they drive it normally till it get burned.