Mercedes Benz repair: A/C freon leak, electronic leak detector, slow leaks

Question
My 2000 ML320 A/C has a freon leak.  It will run cold for a while after putting freon in, but eventually it just blows air.  No other problems though.  Can this be fixed?  Will it be expensive.  I just bought this car and I know it is expensive to work on......just wondering if you could guess what it might cost to fix.

Answer
Sure it can be fixed. Just have to pinpoint the leak. 1st how long does it last (Cooling)?  This will help me to determine if it is a slow leak or a major leak. Reason is that a small leak is harder to pinpoint. Slow leaks might not be found with an electronic leak detector. You will have to use a dye through the system. A large or fast leak is easier. In order to give you an estimate you will have to find the leak. On the ML you should have the access hole where the pipes go inside the car from the engine compartment. This is on the battery side against the firewall. There is a felt backing that you car remove. The expansion valve is there. Usually it leaks from there. But check. Normally a shop will charge 2.0 hrs to give you an estimate. You might want to try that
Let me know
Ralph
Miami Auto Help Inc