2000 C280 WITH 60,000 MILES. THE AC IS NOT BLOWING COLD. COULD IT NEED FREON? I LET THE CAR RUN WITH THE HOOD OPEN TO HEAR IF THE PUMP IS WORKING. IT RUNS THERE IS JUST NO COLD AC. I ALSO HAVE IT AS LOW AS IT GOES 52' AND LETTING IT RUN ON HIGH FOR A WHILE IT STILL WILL NOT TURN COLD. PLEASE HELP!

 

Yes, that's probably what it is. Any good shop can check it for leaks and charge the system for you.

 

oh thank god. I hope that is what it is. I had a 1985 300SD with 170,000 milesand the AC died and even my private shop wanted like $2,100 for everything. The entire unit needed to be replace. I just said forget and ended up selling it. I just got the c280 about a year ago and do not need to put anymore money into that car. How much will this service charge be at a private shop?

 

Most shops have a flat rate for charging the system and then it depends on how much refrigerant it needs to determine
the total cost. It's not too bad though. Hopefully, that's all you need and not something more expensive. If something is leaking, like the condenser, then the refrigerant has leaked out and the part that is leaking needs to be replaced before you waste your money on a charge. But that's probably not the case. I said PROBABLY. You won't know until somebody checks it.

 

Regarding AC...what type of refrigerant should I be using for a 99 C280 sport? I'm leaning heavily on your experiences.
Thanks

 

Took it to my local shop and they charged the ac system free of charge. it works now.

 

oh i forgot. The mechanic also said "I will be good untill the end of summer" How long do the AC charges last for?

 

The charge will last until the system leaks it. A healthy system will hold for several years, a leaker may last a month. Like a nail in a tire- you can bet that in ten cars, there's twenty nails.
Stock refrigerant in a '99 is 134a.

 

That's an interesting comment made by the shop. They didn't say anything about a leak somewhere? Hmmm.
The thing should hold refrigerant otherwise. If it blows hot air again soon, you know it's leaking. Good luck.

 

Yes they did say there was a leak sorry I forgot to post it. There is a very small leak. Thats why they said" It should be good untill the end of summer" sorry. So it cant be too bad if it last me all that time but when it starts blowing hot again its going right into the shop to get fixed. They were excellent too. They didnt charge me anything either that was nice.