06 144" 2500 purchased 1 yr ago (currently 260k)
Sprinter newbie here that would really appreciate you knowledgable folks keeping an eye on me to make sure I (and really, the mechanic) are taking the logical steps to diagnose and repair her. I am finishing up medical school (read: little time & money) and plan to live out of her for most of my rotations next year, so the AC is now an issue that can't wait any longer.
History: PO (located in TX) told me AC wasn't working. He replaced the ATC (sourced from ebay) a few years previously. I got a good deal on the van and said I would figure it out. PPI shop recharged it & it worked for about 8 weeks before it started blowing hot air. It was out of freon, passed a pressure test & was refilled with dyed freon and lasted about 2 weeks. Out of freon again, found a leaking Shraeder valve, replaced it, recharged system, and it lasted less than 2 hours. They were sprinter aware and ensured the proper amount of freon went in. No strange noises or smells as it goes from blowing cold to hot.
Then fall arrived and I was already annoyed by paying to have it charged 3x in 3 months and I ignored it until this week.
I found a shop through the forum and called and talked to the Sprinter guy and feel comfortable enough leaving my baby in his hands (I'm never fully comfortable unless I am watching everything). It goes there tomorrow to get worked up next week. I gave him the history and he said "hmm, I hope it's not the evaporator (or did he say condenser?) core."
I am very unfamiliar with my van's AC system, but have glanced through the service manual and read a few of the AC threads in here to familiarize myself with common troubles.
What are your thoughts and what would your next step be? Could it be the valve was leaking and the problem is now the ATC? (In the box of spare parts that came with the van is a torn down ATC as well as a brand spanking new one.) If so, I will pull it tonight to check the solder before it goes to the shop tomorrow.
I apologize if there are any relevant or informative AC threads I may have missed, but if that is the case, feel free to share links!
Thanks in advance!
Sprinter newbie here that would really appreciate you knowledgable folks keeping an eye on me to make sure I (and really, the mechanic) are taking the logical steps to diagnose and repair her. I am finishing up medical school (read: little time & money) and plan to live out of her for most of my rotations next year, so the AC is now an issue that can't wait any longer.
History: PO (located in TX) told me AC wasn't working. He replaced the ATC (sourced from ebay) a few years previously. I got a good deal on the van and said I would figure it out. PPI shop recharged it & it worked for about 8 weeks before it started blowing hot air. It was out of freon, passed a pressure test & was refilled with dyed freon and lasted about 2 weeks. Out of freon again, found a leaking Shraeder valve, replaced it, recharged system, and it lasted less than 2 hours. They were sprinter aware and ensured the proper amount of freon went in. No strange noises or smells as it goes from blowing cold to hot.
Then fall arrived and I was already annoyed by paying to have it charged 3x in 3 months and I ignored it until this week.
I found a shop through the forum and called and talked to the Sprinter guy and feel comfortable enough leaving my baby in his hands (I'm never fully comfortable unless I am watching everything). It goes there tomorrow to get worked up next week. I gave him the history and he said "hmm, I hope it's not the evaporator (or did he say condenser?) core."
I am very unfamiliar with my van's AC system, but have glanced through the service manual and read a few of the AC threads in here to familiarize myself with common troubles.
What are your thoughts and what would your next step be? Could it be the valve was leaking and the problem is now the ATC? (In the box of spare parts that came with the van is a torn down ATC as well as a brand spanking new one.) If so, I will pull it tonight to check the solder before it goes to the shop tomorrow.
I apologize if there are any relevant or informative AC threads I may have missed, but if that is the case, feel free to share links!
Thanks in advance!
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