Do you have to discharge the system, or can you unbolt the compressor off the block and hang it? Any other special tips that might save some headaches?

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So far...'76 240 D (sold)
'84 300SD (sold)
'85 300D (sold)
'83 300SD (p.o.s. waiting on tranny swap)
'82 300SD (could be the keeper)

Have the system discharged. You shouldn't disconnect the A/C components and hoses until the system has been dischaged.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

How do I get it discharged without having to tow the non-running car someplace?

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So far...'76 240 D (sold)
'84 300SD (sold)
'85 300D (sold)
'83 300SD (p.o.s. waiting on tranny swap)
'82 300SD (could be the keeper)

I think you have to have proper discharging equipment to do so.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Use or borrow a AAA card.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

You are fixing this car right? this motor or another is going in right? If the answer is yes pull the lines out of the way and tie them up. If the anwer is no. THen the legal answer is have it discharged in a proper manner.

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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

This is what I do.

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Jim

I did this with 2*W123 300Ds I swapped the engines on. It was an easy solution to a potentially problematic issue. I pulled the radiator but left the condensor in location during the work and I put a piece of ply between the condensor and the engines while pulling & replacing the engines.
The A/C on both cars worked well afterwards.

NOTE: There are 3 spacers between the compressor and engine which are 3 different sizes. Take measurements of them as you remove them, so you can put them back in the right place. Do not let them fall out, it is a PITA to swap them around to get them right again.

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

Thanks for all th prompt tips, it's actually the same engine going back in with a different tranny, and now that I'm really looking at it, I never used the A.C. as it had no belt on it, and I'm not even sure the line's to the condenser are hooked up! After I got this one I realized it had been wrecked and repaired, maybe the guy never recharged the system. Good to know I can go ahead with just demounting the compressor... thanks again.

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So far...'76 240 D (sold)
'84 300SD (sold)
'85 300D (sold)
'83 300SD (p.o.s. waiting on tranny swap)
'82 300SD (could be the keeper)