My Private War: Operation SLR Evaporator (56k)

So I thought I’d share a little SLR project with you AF guys since you’ve known me before I even went to SLR training. I think I mentioned in that other thread that I was going to be a “back-up” to the original SLR technician…turns out I was wrong. He didn’t want to work on the car anymore so I’m pretty much the only one who works on it. It has its ups and downs. I love the experience but the hours can be long and very unrewarding (pay wise) at times.

So about two weeks ago we had 4, yes 4, SLR’s come in at around the same time. One was an early ’05 model that had 900 miles on it. Whoever owns it never drives it, in fact it didn’t even have up to date registration on it. The car sat in a garage for pretty much the entire time so when I came in to the shop it had 14 recall/service campaigns. So that took a fair bit of time but campaigns are campaigns, I have most of them down to a science. Another came in with a “fuel malfunction” lamp indication on the instrument cluster…turned out to just be a simple A/C hose since it had almost no refrigerant in it. The fuel is cooled by the A/C system so when the fuel sensors saw the fuel getting too hot it throws up the malfunction light. The third came in for like 2 campaigns and a rattle from the engine compartment, nothing big, just a heat shield hitting an intercooler.

Then there’s THIS car. Came in with a “fuel malfunction” light on like the other. I figured it was another A/C leak before I even looked at the car and ended up being right. The only difference is that as soon as I turned the A/C on a strong refrigerant/oil smell came shooting out of the A/C vents. My immediate reaction was “oh fuck!”. That smell coming through the vents can only mean one thing….evaporator. So I did the usual pressure checks and leak detection tests and came to the conclusion that it was the evaporator which requires removal of….well, you’ll see. I tell my foreman and he agrees with the diagnosis. So he gets on the horn to MBUSA and calls for a technical assistance rep to come out and verify it, a job this big needs the MB :thumbsup: The rep spent another 6 hours with me and the car and finally gave me the ok to do the job. So I now present to you how to replace an A/C evaporator on the SLR :D :

Day 1:

First off, remove the left side fender:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap01.jpg

That’ll give you room to remove the left muffler and heat shields:

(exhaust already removed in this photo)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap03.jpg

I just thought the carbon fiber looked cool here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap05.jpg

Now dig your hands into that tiny hole to remove the heater hoses to the heater core and then to the A/C expansion valve on the fire wall…yeah, it’ll hurt like hell:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap04.jpg

Good, now remove the steering wheel and center console assembly:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap06.jpg

Don’t forget the left seat, carpet, and trim:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap12.jpg

And now the right side:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap10.jpg

Spaghetti under the right kick panel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap11.jpg

And who can forget to remove the entire trunk trim to gain access to the battery cables?:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap09.jpg



Day 2:

Started the next morning by removing the entire dash assembly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap14.jpg

It comes out complete with dash and heater housing together. It’s insanely heavy, takes at least three to remove it safely without damaging panels:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap17.jpg


Shot of the backside:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap18.jpg

Open shot of that birds nest we saw early in the right kick panel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap15.jpg

Now remove the heater housing from the dash panel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap20.jpg

Dash carcass:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap21.jpg

And this little bastard is what all the fuss is about. Such a small component and a small leak causes all this commotion:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap22.jpg

And a shot of the scene:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap23.jpg


After I took that last shot the MB rep came in to check out the operation just out of curiosity. This is only the third on in the country ever done, yay, I feel so lucky. Anyways, I ended today by installing the new evaporator and even got the dashboard put back in the car. Did a vacuum check to make sure no more leaks are present. The A/C system is now holding refrigerant and the car is ready to be put back together. I’ll update you with more pictures after work tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed. :eek:


Mods, this is posted here so everybody can see it. Move it to technical or SLR forums if you feel necessary. :)

:eek:!

:eek:!


Yip.

Looks like a good reason to buy a Honda.

i hope this one is covered under warranty, could you imagine the bill for that?

Yeah, it's covered. Labor would cost around 50 hours is what I'm predicting. There's no set time for something like this...however long it takes you is what MBZ is going to pay.....+25% :grinyes:

Fuck that, looks like a good reason to buy a new pair of shoes.

Great thread bro :thumbsup:

Wow! That is really impressive!

To change on my car:
Unbolt compressor
Bolt on new compressor
The end.

Fast cars are awesome, but goddamn that's a big hassle for the AC.

i wonder if the owner has any idea about any of this work.

Lovely pics, cheers :thumbsup:

Update:

Spent Day 3 putting it all back together. Got all the wiring sorted and most of the instrument panel and center console assembly installed. First thing on Monday is getting the exhaust system back in and then I take the A/C for a little test run.

It almost looks like a car again!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap24.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/evap26.jpg

Thats awesome. Whats even more awesome is this thread is perfect reference to build a full detailed model SLR.

Un-fricking-believable! That is awesome. You know it looks like so much confusing work. But I bet you'd make it look like cake.

So when you say "test drive the a/c", does that mean you get to take the car out?

This is a cool thread:sunglasse

Cool thread. You got all us modelers interested.

As a Chrysler tech I got some questions. How are the MB's flat rate times? How do regular MB times compare to the SLR times? How is the build quality of the SLR? What kind of training do you have to do in the US to become a tech? Here in Canada we do a 4 year apprenticeship program is your set-up the same?

Thanks.
Mike.

a lot of hassle over a small component, maybe, but it seems the perks and rewards other than pay outweigh the stress. You're a lucky son of a bitch, john, thanks for the great thread.

You're a son of a bitch, john

Fixed for accuracy :thumbsup:

Thats awesome. Whats even more awesome is this thread is perfect reference to build a full detailed model SLR.

Haha, glad I could help out! Any of you guys working on an SLR at the moment??

Un-fricking-believable! That is awesome. You know it looks like so much confusing work. But I bet you'd make it look like cake.

So when you say "test drive the a/c", does that mean you get to take the car out?

A little of both. Working the A/C hard is one of the steps I need to do to make sure everything is peachy with the system, but that can be done in the shop. But yes, I will take the car out for a few miles to make sure there's no abnormal squeak, rattles, or any other noises around the dash. It's going to require a rigorous road test. :naughty:

Cool thread. You got all us modelers interested.

As a Chrysler tech I got some questions. How are the MB's flat rate times? How do regular MB times compare to the SLR times? How is the build quality of the SLR? What kind of training do you have to do in the US to become a tech? Here in Canada we do a 4 year apprenticeship program is your set-up the same?

Thanks.
Mike.

MB's flat rate times have been getting steadily worse as new cars come out. They are actually getting down right ridiculous. It's getting harder and harder to flag 8 hours a day. And of course as a younger tech I get all the older guys telling stories about "the good ole days" when you could flag 16 hours a day no problem. Those days are loooooong gone.

The SLR doesn't really use flat rate times except for things like brakes and services that are done regularly. I'm paid 125% of whatever time I run on a certain line for most repairs on the vehicle. But, in true MB fashion, when they come out with a new service campaign usually the times are about half of what they should be. One campaign involves removing the entire rear end, installing new upper control arms, drilling holes for new rear-toe alignment bushings and MB wants us to do it in 7.5 hours. :rolleyes: It's like they say, "take your time, it's a $400,000 car but hurry up because you're only gonna get paid half of what it actually takes".

The build quality of the car is quite good. It's what you would expect from a hand-built car. I haven't seen any major failures since I've been working on them. Mostly just little quirks here and there.

We don't do the 4 year apprenticeship here. I went to WyoTech for a year and then to Mercedes ELITE training for 4 months. After that I was an apprentice at the dealership for a year then I went on the line. After about three years they asked me if I wanted to go to SLR training and I said I'd be honored. So here I am. :)

a lot of hassle over a small component, maybe, but it seems the perks and rewards other than pay outweigh the stress. You're a lucky son of a bitch, john, thanks for the great thread.

LOL, thanks man. While I do sometimes take a hit on my paycheck by working on this car I don't really mind since it looks real good on a resume. Now if only I could my lazy ass back to school to finish a degree. :grinno:

Fixed for accuracy :thumbsup:

HA!!! And to think I was gonna take you for a ride in one if your ass ever made it to LA!!! :flipa:

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L

This thread is way cool.
:bigthumb:

Yip.

Looks like a good reason to buy a Honda.


I'm never calling a Honda a ridiculously laid out over-engineered shit pile again!





Though I still got off to these pictures, it's like SLR nude pics. So sexy and it isn't me who has to fix them :D

Is it me, or was Mercedes stupid again to make the evaporator extremely difficult to replace or repair? Because I remember reading up on my car, it's extremely tedious to repair or fix the evaporator which is problematic in my car (W124 E320 Coupe). Or is there reason behind them making it so difficult?

Seems like you got your work cut out for you lol. I figured you'd be at saleen by now. No more of those technical MB electronics to deal with. Either way goodluck an goodpay!

Is it me, or was Mercedes stupid again to make the evaporator extremely difficult to replace or repair? Because I remember reading up on my car, it's extremely tedious to repair or fix the evaporator which is problematic in my car (W124 E320 Coupe). Or is there reason behind them making it so difficult?
Evaporators are not really easy to repair in any vehicle. The dash usually has to come out along with the heater box, some manufacturers make it easier than others but with all the air bag stuff and various electronics in cars these days it's harder and harder for them to find places for everything.

Mike.

^^^

Yup, like Mike said you'll find most evaporators on cars a pain in the ass to replace. To be honest, I'd much rather do an evaporator on the SLR than a R129 or W140. Now THOSE cars are a freakin' mess!!

Seems like you got your work cut out for you lol. I figured you'd be at saleen by now. No more of those technical MB electronics to deal with. Either way goodluck an goodpay!

Ha, yeah I'm still thinking about working down in the Saleen factory. I still haven't taken a tour of that facility yet...thanks for reminding me. :)



Update: The evaporator job is complete. Was pretty much complete yesterday but I had to wait for a hood release cable to come in. That came in today and now the car is completely done on my end. Just gotta ship it back to the main shop and have the service manager inspect it and give me the :thumbsup:

Looks like a royal pita to me. But very neat at the same time.

Just found out McLaren Automotive has an opening for a Production Team Member. Sending my application out tomorrow. :naughty:


ENGLAND HERE I COME!!!!!!! :evillol:

Any chance I can bring my E55 with me?? :frown:

Haha, awesome. Good luck bro!

Just found out McLaren Automotive has an opening for a Production Team Member. Sending my application out tomorrow. :naughty:


ENGLAND HERE I COME!!!!!!! :evillol:

Any chance I can bring my E55 with me?? :frown:

Good luck indeed. Also, thanks for the detailed shots... I'm gonna use them as reference when building a 1/24th scale of the SLR!

EDIT: Here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=693904)'s my work-in-progress thread, if you wanna take a look. Any idea what color would go well two-toned with a tan interior? I'm going for a custom look (I don't think there were any tan-SLR interiors, but it seems like you would know!) and I want to go two-tone if I can... I just don't know if the red will go well.

Good luck indeed. Also, thanks for the detailed shots... I'm gonna use them as reference when building a 1/24th scale of the SLR!

EDIT: Here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=693904)'s my work-in-progress thread, if you wanna take a look. Any idea what color would go well two-toned with a tan interior? I'm going for a custom look (I don't think there were any tan-SLR interiors, but it seems like you would know!) and I want to go two-tone if I can... I just don't know if the red will go well.

Whoa dude. You decided to paint your SLR blue AND go with a tan interior?? Because there is only one blue SLR in the US and it happens to have a tan interior.....AND I just so happen to have a few photos of it. ;) Hope they come in handy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr09.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/blueslr10.jpg

Haha, this thread has gained some internet notoriety. Someone copied all of blindside's posts and put them on the VW Vortex/Car Lounge.

Regarding the McLaren job...
1) are you seriously thinking about taking it?
2) what would you be doing for them?
3) you may want to get in contact with Peloton25, he is a bit of a internet celebrity when it comes to McLaren (at least the F1). I have seen him around on at least 3 other boards, and he runs the McLaren forum here. He knows virtually everything there is to know about the McLaren car company.

Yes, Peloton25 ~ Eric

Knows all the innner workings to Mclaren you might want to give him a shout.

I just shipped one the other day for my friend. Do you have any pics of the underbody?

Damn, apparently McLaren isn't looking for a Yank at the moment. Received a response this morning. :frown: :emo:

I just shipped one the other day for my friend. Do you have any pics of the underbody?

Yeah, I have a bunch but I can't post them because my Photobucket account is a little over-loaded because, as Dinan said, other people are posting these pictures in other forums. PM me your current email address and I'll send them that way. :)

Man, if people are gonna copy and paste your story, they could at least have the courtesy to friggin' re-host the pictures...

Good God, Photobucket really did a number on me!!! Even my sig is done!! :eek:

***All images removed, sorry. I'll upload them to Image Shack tomorrow if I have time. :frown:

wow you did that fast... either that or there wasn't a problem after all, i see all of them.

wow you did that fast... either that or there wasn't a problem after all, i see all of them.

I have no idea what's going on. I just deleted all those photos from Photobucket. :screwy:

I haven't uploaded them to Image Shack yet though. Hopefully they'll be better since I seem to remember paying for that image site. :icon16: I don't mind other people posting my images but it kinda ruined this thread which was supposed to be AF exclusive.

Thanks a lot for the pictures man. Really helped me out a lot. I ended up shipping the car today.

Thanks a lot for the pictures man. Really helped me out a lot. I ended up shipping the car today.

No problem man, anytime. Did you have any issues shipping the car?? Were you the one that loaded it up??

Man, if people are gonna copy and paste your story, they could at least have the courtesy to friggin' re-host the pictures...

Were you at least able see the pictures of the blue SLR?? They should be up again on May 3.....I hope. :D

No problem man, anytime. Did you have any issues shipping the car?? Were you the one that loaded it up??
No problems shipping this time. Yes, I'd whip out the collapsable beater stick if anyone went near the truck and trailer and gave em a lesson they'd never forget. Last time someone loaded a car onto the trailer, the car went threw the wall.

Were you at least able see the pictures of the blue SLR?? They should be up again on May 3.....I hope. :D

Yeah man, thanks a lot. It looks wicked... but I think I like the stock Turbine style rims better. I'll use those photos when I start on the interior.

What do you end up driving, as one of the only SLR mechanics in the world?

Yeah man, thanks a lot. It looks wicked... but I think I like the stock Turbine style rims better. I'll use those photos when I start on the interior.

What do you end up driving, as one of the only SLR mechanics in the world?

Me personally?? I drive a slightly modified '01 Mercedes E55. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/black04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/side01.jpg


The best part is the exhaust. At first i just had an Eisenmann Race Exhaust but it wasn't loud enough...so I cut my resonator off as well. :grinyes:

http://ling-ly.com/video/benzoboi_exhaust.wmv

I'm the black Benz with the blinker on...not the best video but you get a good clip of the exhaust note.

Wow, that's a wicked looking car. Very cool, man.

Me personally?? I drive a slightly modified '01 Mercedes E55. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/black04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/blindside311/side01.jpg


The best part is the exhaust. At first i just had an Eisenmann Race Exhaust but it wasn't loud enough...so I cut my resonator off as well. :grinyes:

http://ling-ly.com/video/benzoboi_exhaust.wmv

I'm the black Benz with the blinker on...not the best video but you get a good clip of the exhaust note.
Sounds good man.

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I just wanted to let blindside.AMG know that I'm thankful for all of his help! It really resulted in a nice finished product, which you guys can check out here. (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=4767686#post4767686)

Thanks again!

Nice work dude!! :thumbsup: