If R12 isn't available, someone should have told refrigerant sales in Colorado that about 6 or 8 weeks ago when I bought my 30 pound container.

I've gone into this explanation at least two dozen times on this forum, but what the heck, what's one more time? 414b and all the other junk refrigerants fall into one of two categories, a flammable or a blend. The downside to a flammable is obvious, but the fact that they are illegal in 18 states plus the District of Columbia might not be.

The downside to the blends is that since they are multiple components, the components leak at different rates. Even the slightest leak will get it out of balance, and recharging requires emptying the system and COMPLETELY recharging to get it right. Additionally the blends are hard to match up with an oil that will circulate properly with the mix of components.

Additional to that is that the vast majority of alternate refrigerants are put in cars in violation of FEDERAL law. That is because Federal law requires the installation of the specific fittings that in effect identify the systems refrigerant. In most cases this is not done. This causes MASSIVE problems for those in the auto a/c business and in most cases they will refuse to work on a system with an alternate refrigerant for a multitude of reasons including the fact that they will not dedicate a recycling machine to all these refrigerants, it would cost a fortune, and it is illegal to vent it.

If you have an R12 system, the good news is that it is coming down in price due to the fact that the cars requiring it are hitting the scrap yards in record numbers. Maybe you've heard of a phenomenon called "supply and demand."

Good luck,

Yay my 300SD has R-134 connectors and is charged with 134...looks like someone actually did a good swap on it.
The downside...they didn't change the o-rings.
But I did that last year after I got sprayed with oil/refrigerant :-p

Brandon - requested pics...

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Woah...thanks for the pics..
The current engine in my 240D has the compressor up on the passenger side instead of down below on the drivers side.

Not sure why it would be different but the lines and the big gaping hole in the engine bay both point to that upper passenger side...

Hmmm...that's interesting as they're both '82s. My CD has the compressor in the exact same position. If yours is on the passenger side, where's your alternator? and how does it not interfere with the thermostat housing? Could it be aftermarket? or non-U.S.? My lines do come across the front and go through on the passenger side, though...

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Alternator is below the AC mounting area..
A friends 1979 240D w123 had the same compressor location. I grabbed his bracket and whatnot for my non-AC engine that was plopped in my AC capable w123...

The body is 1982 240D w123...
The engine...who knows...its a 240D and has no EGR stuff at all
However the body (1982 mind you) has the hoses leading right to this passenger side location...and everything is stock located.

THat is rather weird...I have the braket and compressor and everything to put on this engine but I still wonder where a non EGR, non AC seemingly previously automatic engine came from...

I will post a picture

EDIT: It looks as though the thermostat housing would interfere with the AC compressor...do I need a special thermostat housing? I have the braket that puts the compressor right there but I don't remember what the water neck looked like...hmmm

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Very strange. I think it's time for you to start a new thread titled "Who has the rare passenger-side mounted AC compressor in their 240D?". I'm curious now...

edit: Another thing I notice is that there is no oil trap on your car (at least not where mine is). This would also be missing to make room for the compressor I guess?

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Hey,
I was looking, and the wires for the AC compressor (eletrical) is down on the drivers side where your compressor is.
I think I found the problem....I think I am missing some AC lines that would extend those lines over onto the other side and down under the engine. I wanted to get this car back with AC in it before freon continues to climb.

I will take a look under the drivers side and see what I see...hopefully there is somewhere to throw my AC compresson on the engine

Apparently the 1979 240D that I took the braket off of had it up on the passenger side.

Anyone have the lines I need?