I have a 92 300D with a hole in the evaporator. I charged it up with R134 in December and it blew cold through August. My question: Am I safe to let it go until it gets hot again (April here in Texas!) or is it advisable to keep it charged throughout the winter to prevent moisture from getting into the system?

Thanks

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

In my opinion keeping it charged is smart. In most cars the compressor runs with defrost to de humidify the air. This defrosts quicker and keeps the system in shape. Try R134A stop leak when you top it off.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I would not suggest any type of StopLeak... gums up too many things which can not deal with it...

You should keep it charged.... and even if you don't use the defroster... you should start the AC at least once per month in the winter....
because the front seal on the compressor is designed to be kept oiled by a slight leak of the refrigerant.... in which the oils travel around the system.... at the front of the shaft...

Leathermang is dead right!! Even in colder months you must run the A/C to keep your seals moist with oil. If not, then over time they will dry out, shrink, and crack.

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1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

THat and the defrost function runs the a/c to dry the air going to the windshield. Even in winter.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I have the ACC in my car. I can hear the compressor click on/off no matter which climate control function I choose or temp selected on the wheel. Is this supposed to do this? Last winter, my compressor went gunny-bag and ended up costing me $1000 to totally redo. I wonder if I am following the same trail.

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Whoever dies with the most toys......Wins!

1984 300d
165k miles

After you own a VW bug, rabbit, or other such non air-conditioned weak heatered cars you appreciate a automobile with a AC compressor/head setup that can blow hot DRY air and clear a windshiled in seconds...
But then again..we should ALL let our cars warm up before we drive them...the VW's are just more straightforward with this.
"I won't let you see until I get warm..."