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MERCEDES-BENZ USA. lLC

Mercedes-Benz

update
Mercedes-Benz Dealer Principals, General
Managers, Sa les Managers, Service Managers, Parts
Managers

TO.

Recall Campaign 2012100001 Replace Refrigerant R 1234yf with R134a,
Model 231 (SL), Model Year 2013

FROM : Thomas

Brunner, Department Manager, Vehicle
Compliance and Analysis, Engineering Services

RE: :

DATE:

October 26, 2012

IMPORTANT RECALL INFORMATION
This Recall Campaign is being launched today and the 432 affected vehicles are flagged in VMI.
On Friday, September 28, 201 2 dealers were notified that Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MB USA) will conduct a
vo luntary Recall Campa ign on certa in Model Year 20 13 SL Class (23 1) vehicles to replace the Air Conditioning
Refrigerant R 1234yf. This notifi cation is posted on the NHTSA web site and may generate some customer
questions.
Background
Due to the findings of a recent DAG tes t program that replicated demanding operating conditions and
corresponding engi ne temperatures, DAG has determined that the refrigera nt R 1234yf used in the climate
contro l system may ignite in th e engine compartmen t in the event of a severe frontal impact that would also
cause a rupture to the refrigerant line. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has initiated a recall of
these vehicles. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer wi ll rem ove the refrigerant R1234yf, change the required
hoses and replace the refrigerant in subject vehicles with non-flammab le R134a.
Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver any new or used Model Year
2013 SL-Class (231) equi pped with refrigerant R 1234yf covered by this notification in dealer
inventory, for sale or lease, unti l the vehicle has been repaired .
Parts - A Dealer allocation of one set of required parts per affected dealer will arrive at the dealer by
launch date. Dealers may order additional parts as requi red, however parts are in very limited supply
and should not be ordered for shelf stock. Parts replacement rate is 100%.
Own er Notification - Owner notifications will be sent approximately one week after recall launch.
A copy of t he campaign bulletin is attached, and may also be found on StarTeklnfo.
When schedu ling customers for an appointment please ensure that you are aware of any open campaigns in
VMI so that the customer is advised about the t ime necessary to complete all campaigns.

Q:) Mercedes-Benz - are registered trademarks of Daimler, Stuttga r t, Germany

0
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MERCEDES-BENZ USA. LLC

Mercedes-Benz

C!

update
Note: VMI must always be checked before performing campaigns to verify that the campaign is required on a
specific vehicle.
Dealers may also identify vehicles subject to a campaign through NetStar by selecting "Campaign" under the
Controlling tab. Only vehicles that have been retailed by the respective dealer will be displayed within this
program .
While we regret any inconven ience this causes, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is determined to maintain a high level
of veh icle quality and customer satisfaction.
Please refer all customer inquiries to the Customer Ass ista nce Center at 1-800-FOR_MERCedes
( 1-800-367-6372).

Q) Mercedes-Benz - are registered trademarks of Daimler, Stuttgart. Germany

Campaign No. 2012 100001 , October 2012

TO:

ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS

SUBJECT:

Model 231, Model Year 2013
Replace Refrigerant R1234yf with Refrigerant R134a

Daimler AG (DAG). the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that the climate
control refrigerant R1234yf used in Model Year 2013, Model 231 (SL) vehicles, must be replaced. Due to
the findings of a recent DAG test program that replicated demanding operating conditions and
corresponding engine temperatures. DAG has determ ined that the refrigerant R1 234yf used in the
climate control system may ignite in the engine compartment in the event of a severe frontal impact that
would also ca use a rupture to the refrigerant line. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has
initiated a recall of these vehicles. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the refrigerant
R1 234yf, change the required hoses and replace the refrigerant in subject vehicles with non-flammable
R1 34a .

Attached is a sample copy of a letter which owners of the affected vehicles will receive.
Prior to performing this Recall Campaign :
•

Please check VMI to determine if the vehicle is involved in the Campaign and if it has been
previously repaired .

•

Please review the entire Recall Campaign bulletin and follow the repair procedure exactly as
described .

Please note that Recall and Service Campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle
with a vehicle status indicator.

Approximately 432 vehicles are involved.

Order No. P-RC-2012100001
This bulletin has been created and maintained in accordance with MBUSA-SLP S423QH001 . Document and Data
Control. and MBUSA-SLP S424HH001, Control of Quality Records.

2

Procedure

&

Danger! Risk of explosion caused by welding or solderi ng work on closed air conditioning system .
Risk of poison ing caused by inhaling overheated refrigerant vapors. Risk of injury to skin and eyes
caused by contact with liquid refrigerants. Never perform welding work on or near a closed air conditioning
system. No smoking or open flames. Wear safety glasses and protective gloves. Work only in well ventilated
areas. Carry out repair work on the air conditioning system circuit only after the system has been emptied .
Refe r to WIS : AS83 .00-Z-0001-01A
Note:
•
Procedure for a damaged or leaky air conditioning system . Refer to WIS: AH83.30-P-0005-01A.
It is not necessary to replace the receiver dryer for this procedure
•
Notes for handling refrigerant R1 234yf: Refer to WIS: AH83.30-P-0003-02A
•
Notes for handling refrigerant R134a: Refer to WIS: AH83.30-N-0003-01 A
•
Protect air conditioning circuit and components from moisture when carrying out repair work : Refer to
WIS: AH83.30-P-0005-01A
A. Evacuate A/C System and Install New Owner's Literature

1.

Evacuate refrigerant R1234yf, refer W IS: AR83.30-P-1760YF.

Note:

•

Do not remove refrigerant oil from A/C system .

•

If you are notified during the evacuation phase that the R1234yf Service Unit storage bottle is full , please
contact Mike Roth at mbtoolsandequipment@mbusa .com to schedule a service unit refrigerant

evacuation.
2. Install new operator's manuals:
Note: Install new operator's manuals while refrigerant is being evacuated.
•
Connect battery charger.
•
Replace printed operator's manual in vehicle's portfolio with new (printed) operator's manual
•
Load new digital operator's manual into COMAND.
Replace operator's manual CD in vehicle's portfolio with new (operator's manual) CD.
•
•
Disconnect battery charger.

P-RC-2012100001

3

B. Replace Refrigerant Lines for Condenser and Compressor Between Connection Point

Figure 1
1
2.
3.
4.

High pressure refrigerant line
Condenser refrigerant line
Low pressure refrigerant line (lo evaporator).
Low pressure refrigerant line (to compressor) .

22
23
41

Nut
Condenser refrigerant line mounting clip
Nut

1.

Remove nut (41 , Figure 1).
;... Torque nut (41 ) to 8 Nm when installi ng.
2. Disconnect refrigerant line (4, Figure 1) from refrigerant line (3).
3. Remove nut (22, Figure 1).
};;>
Torque nut (22) to 8 Nm when installing
4. Disconnect condenser refrigerant line (2, Figure 1) from mounting clip (23).
5. Disconnect condenser refrigerant line (2 , Figure 1) from refrigerant line (3).

P-RC-2012100001

4

Figure 2

6. Remove lower front engine cover, refer to WIS AR61 .20-P-1105RK.
7. Remove compressor refrigerant line bolt (42, Figure 2).
:,... Torque bolt (42) to 20 Nm when installing.
8.

Disconnect compressor refrigerant line (4, Figure 2) from compressor (A9, A9/7).

9. Remove compressor refrigerant line (4, Figure 2).
10. Install new compressor refrigerant line (4, Figure 2) in reverse order.
Note:

New refrigerant line should be provided with new 0-rings already installed . Be careful not to damage 0rings when routing refrigerant line during installation. Lubricate 0-rings with refrigerant oil prior to
installing refrigerant line.

P-RC-20 12100001

5

11 .
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Remove rad iator support/cover:
Unclip coolant line (A, Figure 3) from air intake duct (B).
Remove engine compartment seal (C, Figure 3) from radiator support/cover (0 ).
Remove 2 radiator fasteners (E, Figure 3)
Disconnect air intake ducts (B, F Figure 3) from radiator support/cover (0).
Unclip hood release cable (G, Figure 3) from radiator (0 ).
Remove radiator support/cover screws (arrows, Figure 3).
Remove radiator support/cover (0, Figure 3).

P-RC-2012100001

6

12. Insert extension (A. Figure 4) with socket
through radiator grill (arrow) and loosen
condenser refrigerant line bolt (B, Figure 6).
;;. Torque bolt (B. Figure 6) to 8 Nm when
installing.
Note:
Be careful not lo damage bumper or grill
when loosening bolt.
13. Open clip (arrow, Figure 5) on top of radiator
side shroud (A) and separate side shroud (A)
from radiator assembly (B).

Figure 4

14. Carefully pull radiator assembly (A, Figure 6)
in direction of arrows (Figure 6) then remove
condenser refrigerant line bolt (B)
15. Roule condenser refrigerant line (C, Figure
6) out through opening (arrow, Figure 7) in
radiator side shroud (24, Figure 7) and
remove from engine compartment.
Note:

Refer also to Figures 1 and 7 for more views of
condenser components and refrigerant lines.
16. Install new condenser refrigerant line (C,
Figure 6) in reverse order.
Figure 5
Note: New condenser refrigerant line should be

provided with new 0 -rings already installed. Be
careful not to damage 0-rings when routing
refrigerant line during installation. Lubricate 0rings with refrigerant oil prior to installing
refrigerant line.
17. Assemble in reverse order.
18. Recharge air conditioning with R134a
refrigerant ONLY and include 40 cc of
refrigerant oil. Refer to W IS:
AR83.30-P-1760NKB.
19. Replace information label for R-1234yf air
conditioning filling capacity on radiator crossmember with new R-134a label (H , Figure 3).
20 Install new caps on A/C service valves of
new refrigerant lines (2, 4, Figure 1 ).

Figure 6

P-RC-2012100001

7

Figure 7 (shown from front of vehicle, behind radiator grill)
2 Condenser refrigerant line
15 Condenser
21 Condenser refrigerant line bolt
24 Radiator side shroud
Arrow: Opening for refrigerant line

Special Tools

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04

01

02

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'@0 8 Uo1

129 589 00 9 1 00
Set of Stop Plugs

P-RC-20 12100001

8

Primary Parts Information
Part Name

Part Number

Es ti mated Replacement
Rat e

Condenser nnd conneclmg potnt
refric ernnl l1 11e

A 231 830 03 15

100%

Condenser antl conneclrng µornl
rcfr1 eranl l111PMode ls 231.47314 74

A 2.l 1 830 62 15

100%

Re fnqeranl l1nf: from connecting
point lo