Crushing AC development..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimmyL · #1 06-10-2006, 02:35 PM

Went to get in the wagon this morning to run to Harbor Freight, with the memories of 45 degree vent temps from the night before.
Start car, hit my AC button ready to hear the rpm drop......nothing. Not good.
Went and removed the two wires from pressure switch and connected them to my jumper, compressors comes on. Uh oh!!! Surely not!
Pull wagon into garage and connect guages with car off. Only 35lb of pressure.
Freon mostly gone!
I held 29" vac for 18 hours, and felt good. But the pressure found a weak spot. (Insert senseless yet calming cussing tirade here)
Crawl under car, and yes folks, all kinds of oil around those M****** questionable compressor seals from a previous thread. Fastlane, you read these?

Don't even have the life force to type anymore..........

#2 06-10-2006, 02:36 PM

Sometimes vacuum can pull closed holes that are open under pressure.

jbaj007 · #3 06-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Vehicle 1985 Mercedes Benz 300TD Turbo Wagon
Part: A/C Compressor

Note: GM radial R-4 version
Compressors having stepped ports require the the following seals be installed in the following manner : The large brass seal is only for the suction port. The green seal is to be used on the discharge port. The short(er) of the two sleeves is to be used in conjunction with the green seal. This centers the seal, which is essential to prevent leakage. The two other seals in the kit are not applicable for Mercedes. These seals will only be used in compressors having a stepped port configuration. See 24 342

There should be two aluminum sleeves with your seal kit. The SHORTER sleeve goes in the GREEN seal in the left (in your picture) stepped port. NO sleeve in the right hand port. W/o the sleeve they leak; with it, they still leak sometimes.

Best of luck and I hope it works out well.

tangofox007 · #4 06-10-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbaj007

There should be two aluminum sleeves with your seal kit. The SHORTER sleeve goes in the GREEN seal in the left (in your picture) stepped port. NO sleeve in the right hand port.

Exactly how is the aluminum sleeve installed? The instructions say to press the insert into the manifold. My manifold already has a "lip" on the discharge side.

JimmyL · #5 06-10-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbaj007

There should be two aluminum sleeves with your seal kit. The SHORTER sleeve goes in the GREEN seal in the left (in your picture) stepped port. NO sleeve in the right hand port. W/o the sleeve they leak; with it, they still leak sometimes.

Best of luck and I hope it works out well.

OK, back from my cooling off period. (which was in a simple Ford truck with freezing AC)
So I need to install the alum. sleeve on the left in my pics below of leftover parts? Will I need to get new seals now since these have been torqued, possible incorrectly? And which way does that spacer go? Lip in, lip out?
And sometimes it still leaks??

leathermang · #6 06-10-2006, 05:27 PM

How much do the replacements for the crushed seals cost ?
How much does the refrigerant cost that will be lost if you don't get it sealed this time ?
How much driving will it save if you go ahead and buy TWO new replacements of everything you need in case you need them tomorrow when everything is closed ?
LOL

jbaj007 · #7 06-10-2006, 07:53 PM

JimmyL,
I think it will go in only one way and still have a decent fit to the green washer. Lip in, i think from memory (such as it is). Left (shorter) sleeve is correct.

Washers are probably still good. Wouldn't hurt if spares were available as Greg suggests, though.

tangofox007 · #8 06-10-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Will I need to get new seals now since these have been torqued, possible incorrectly?

How much torque did you use? My compressor instructions say 25 ft/lbs.

JimmyL · #9 06-10-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

How much torque did you use? My compressor instructions say 25 ft/lbs.

I was not that exact, to tell the truth...
Sounds like you had better instructions with yours than I did.

Volvo Diesel · #10 06-12-2006, 10:37 PM

I don't know Jimmy, that Mercedes wagon of yours sounds awfully fussy... does that VOLVO DIESEL wagon behind that car lot have A/C??

Well, I guess no one needs more than one smoking wagon saga in their life, right?

Good luck getting it charged back up...I'm convinced A/C gremlins are the worst...

-Chris