It's my first summer with my 1998 c280 and the A/C is having trouble cooling the car with the outside temp at 87*F. This has been my project car, so I'm trying to keep it out of the shop (so far so good after fixing multiple items with help from this forum). I'm thinking about recharging the system with one of those cheap kits from walmart. However, there appears to be a mixed opinion from fellow forum-goers on this.

What do you think? Is it as easy to recharge it says on the can?

BTW, while I have captured the "REST" Button results, I'm not experienced enough to understand them (even after reading my WIS manual). If you can shed some light on them I'd appreciate it.
1 94*F
2 92
3 80
5 91
6 19 5
7 26*7
8 174
9 35*F
10 580
20 10*0
21 060
22 000
23 000
24 13.8
40 03
41 03
42 02
43 6-C
50 84*F
51 LO
52 37*F
54 OFF

Any help is greatly appreciated. -Ed

 

Recharging is easy as long as you don't have to remove any refrigerant. The hardest thing is locating the low pressure valve to connect the recharge kit. If you've ever connected a tire pump to a bicycle tire, you can recharge your A/C. It uses the exact same connections. Get two cans of refrigerant. Get a recharge kit with a pressure gauge--should cost under $20. Follow directions for pressure check.

But, recharging won't fix any leaks.

 

well...I didn't get very far. I tested the refigerant level and per my reading I got 45 PSI, which on my gauage is on the top edge of full (almost too high). So I didn't proceed with recharging the system (to my knowledge the system has never been recharged).

I can hear the comressor turn on...yet it's taking a very long time to cool and when it does the air temp is only at 61*F.

Any other suggestions?

 

since you got WIS:

document number: DH0202PK00012X

THE PRESSURE IS ONLY 7BAR WHICH IS LOW.

normal should be at least 12 to 16.

add more refrigirant and check for leak.

 

sleepwalker...thanks for the reply. I was gonig to add more coolant, but when I saw 45 PSI and this was at the top of my gauge I hesitated. I thought if you add too much you'll create additional problems.

Should I add more anyway???

 

you need to add more.

 

Well...I tried to add some coolant adding about 1/2 of a can. However, when I tried to add more the system wouldn't take anyore almost as though the pressure was equalized in the system to the pressure in the can. I realize this is unlikely, but none-the-less that's how it appeared. Per my guage the system pressure is about 39-43 PSI. I tried this a couple of times and got the same results. I also released the pressure to test to ensure there was still pressure in the can - everything appeared fine. Overall the a/c seems better, but far from good.

Here are my updated "rest" results...after driving for 12 minutes but at idle:
1 88*F
2 86
3 69
5 87
6 19 0
7 23*3
8 163
9 37F

Before Sleepwalker said I was at 7BAR (with a prior reading of 26*7 on #7). I don't understand how he got 7BAR from 26*7, but I'm sure he's right. Now my #7 reading is a bit lower.

Should I try a different can of coolant? Any other suggestions?

-Ed