[W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R

[Ernest Stephens]

Thank you for your info, I prefer MB but I think that I already committed my self to use the compressor (special order)  but it comes with a warranty providing I do everything right.  The components that I have look identical (the compressor is a rebuilt) and they were much more affordable . . .I have more time than money in this economy if you know what I mean.  I have nothing so if you can share your file with me I'd appreciate that.  I can share with you my success or failure if and when I get it all put back together.
steve
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Markus Meyer<mailto:mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com> 
  To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists<mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> 
  Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 07:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R


  I don't know what Jonathan's experience is with these parts, but mine was not good with aftermarket, so I finally just went with all MB.  I didn't do any of the work myself.  The expansion valve is in the inside of the car as Jonathan said, up underneath the dash, well, really below the dash on the driver's side up above the gas pedal, in that general area.  I forget if the a/c manifold hose goes from the compressor somewhere in the engine bay and junctions, or if it goes straight into the car itself.  I just checked my service CDs but don't have that PDF file.  I do have one for the compressor, dryer and expansion valve and they are handy if you don't have them.

  Markus Meyer
  mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com<mailto:mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com>
  http://www.meyerprobateproperties.com/<http://www.meyerprobateproperties.com/>
  Meyer Probate & Properties, LLC
  484-919-9762 



    -------- Original Message --------
    Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R
    From: "Ernest Stephens" <stevetsg at msn.com>
    Date: Fri, June 12, 2009 9:17 pm
    To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

     
    Changing out the manifold hose and expansion valve sounds intimidating.  Can you tell me the manifold hose is one single hose that goes through the firewall or does is separate somewhere in-between?  This looks like two PITAs to me but I want to do it right. 

    Is the expansion valve inside the passenger compartment somewhere near the center console or is it on the other side of the firewall in the engine compartment? 

    I'm trying to visualize replacing the manifold hose and flushing the system, I'm feeling flushed.  Maybe I'll feel better if the hose is not another PITA.  I don't think that Schucks is going to have a manifold hose so I probably better figure on visiting the dealer, am I right?
    steve 
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Markus Meyer<mailto:mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com> 
      To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists<mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> 
      Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 06:53 PM
      Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R


      If your compressor seized, here is my recommendation.  I'm speaking from the experience I had with my first W126.  I would have the following done:

      1) system thoroughly flushed back and forth to get all debris/contamination out - in my case it started out looking like coke and came out looking like sprite
      2) replace compressor
      3) replace receiver/dryer (this is really like a filter)
      4) replace both switches on top of receiver/dryer
      5) replace expansion valve
      6) replace ac manifold hose
      7) have parts listed above replaced - then system run on vacuum for 24 hours or more
      8) recharge system with correct amount of proper oil (PAG?), then refilled with correct amount of R12, yes - R12, not R134a

      Enjoy your newly fixed up system for years to come!

      Without doing #1 & 6, you are risking the existing contamination seizing up the next compressor.  I didn't have #6 done until the third time.  First replacement lasted 10 months, second 1 month.  After 3 seized compressor (original, 1st replacement, 2nd replacement), the amount of junk in there kept causing subsequent compressors to seize faster and faster.  Not until the system was thoroughly flushed as described in #1, and the item in #6 was replaced did I stop having issues.  About 8 years and counting....

      Markus Meyer
      mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com<mailto:mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com>
      http://www.meyerprobateproperties.com/<http://www.meyerprobateproperties.com/>
      Meyer Probate & Properties, LLC
      484-919-9762 


        -------- Original Message --------
        Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R
        From: "Ernest Stephens" <stevetsg at msn.com>
        Date: Fri, June 12, 2009 8:34 pm
        To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

         
        Yes, the compressor froze up.  I don't have a clue if the expansion valve had anything to do with the compressor but it seems reasonable to believe that after all of these years and over 200k wear that something in the system might have worn out.  I really am new to all this but PITA sounds like get ready for a headache, am I right?
        steve
          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: Markus Meyer<mailto:mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com> 
          To: jhodgman at gmail.com<mailto:jhodgman at gmail.com> ; Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists<mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> 
          Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 06:28 PM
          Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R


          Jonathan couldn't have said it better....I have one of my wrecks apart, interior pretty much gutted, and that expansion valve was still a PITA.

          Other than that...replacing the items you mention isn't rocket science.  However....has anyone diagnosed that these components are actually bad before you throw money at it like this, those parts aren't cheap!  And my recommendation would be, if you do end up doing these because its been proven they are bad, to also replace the suction line - aka ac manifold line.  In the Mercedes boxes, it says to replace them when doing a compressor.  I went through 3 before finding this out, thank goodness warranties covered them all.  However, there are lots of parts to the system, so how did you come to the conclusion the parts you listed are the culprits? Is the compressor seized?

          Markus Meyer
          mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com<mailto:mfm at meyerprobateproperties.com>
          www.meyerprobateproperties.com<http://www.meyerprobateproperties.com/>
          Meyer Probate & Properties, LLC
          484-919-9762 


            -------- Original Message --------
            Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Air Condition R&R
            From: Jonathan Hodgman <blueridgemb at gmail.com>
            Date: Fri, June 12, 2009 8:10 pm
            To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

            Drivers side, up and to the right of where you leg would rest...  It's a PITA to get too..  And yes, you have one..  Not sure where you are but we call it an expansion valve.  If you are RHD, I'm not sure if they moved it around or not..  My reference is for LHD Mercs.
            Unless you have a Large assortment of wrenches, and a few you won't mind modifying the expansion valve can Really make life difficult.

            Jonathan

            Ernest Stephens wrote: 
              Good evening all,
              I have an 87 560 SEC with over 200,000 miles on it.  My AC went out on it so I am replacing the AC compressor, evaporator reciever/dryer, and supposedly the extractor (a rectanular aluminum block looking device). I bought the components at a Schucks automotive store and they insist that there is an extractor in the system but I can't find it. Obviously I don't know what I am doing and would appreciate advice from someone that does.  If anyone can tell me where to find the extractor (if I have one) and offer any other advise I would appreciate it much.
              Thx,
              steve


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