Just got a call from my shop. My AC stopped working in my 300D, they found green dye in the drains. WTF!

They quoted me $1450. That is just replacing the evaporator and labor. They have done many W140 bodies, but never a W124. Im tempted to do it myself because I dont want to get it back and have my dash bits not properly connected.

Is there a good DIY write up on it? Does anyone have the proper sequence of steps? Does steering wheel have to come off? Ive had about 30% of my dash off before, and didnt see it as too hard, just meticulous and time consuming.

Plus if I do it, I might replace the pods.

Man, what a way to end a friday...

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K

I feel your pain. I've posted a link to the shop manual. Here's the link.

http://mb.auto.pl/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,62/

I haven't had to do the evap. I know the time on the dash is long.

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

$1450 to do the evap is a VERY good price!

If you have the funds available, I'd have them do it depending on how busy you are. Evap R&R is no joke.

I just had mine done a few months ago on my 1994 S500,got it done by one of my mechanics and they made it like new.It works great and they did a great job.They are in Voorhees New Jersey.Let me know if you want their contact information.

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1998 S500
2006 E320 CDI
1963 220S
1994 S500
1995 S500
2005 BMW 545i sport
2007 GL320 CDI
2007 ML320 CDI
1991 Toyota Previa White over Blue
2000 Lexus RX300 White over Beige
2008 Audi Q7 Black Opal over Grey
1993 Toyota T-100 Silver over Grey
2002 Chevy 2500 Express White over Grey

If you don't have a solid 20 hours to devote to the task, pay the shop to do it like Matt suggests. Figure parts and charging the system will cost you half of what they're asking. The warranty might be worth the rest. And if this is your first foray into AC system innards, what if the system won't hold a vacuum when you take it to the shop to be charged?

On the plus side Dave M/gsxr has replaced a 124 evaporator or two so he's an available resource.

Sixto
87 300D

While they got the dash apart it might be a good time to replace any burned out bulbs in the dash, fix the odometer, or replace the foam on the flappers.

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Sixto is right, allow at least 20+ hours. Did my wife's '92 two years ago and it took 4 days to complete. Got the evaporator with expansion valve new for $110 off ebay + $200 for shop to vacuum it down and recharge. While you're there definitely replace foam on flappers and pods as suggested. Evaporator I used was made by ACT I believe, it was all aluminum verus Mercedes copper & aluminum. For the much lower price I gave it a shot and it's worked well so far. I would suggest also getting the kit and replacing all the o rings & dryer. You're right it is a tedious, time consuming job but definately doable...just depends if you want to part with the $ for someone else to do it.

Thanks for the advice guys. Ive made the decision to takle it myself. I have access to a shop where I ca vacuum it and charge it myself. Now, im getting a parts order together, and have a few questions.

Where do I get the foam for the vents? Is this ACM evap/expansion valve combo up to the job?

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/autopartsplace/wizard.jsp?PBJ=080419_075331_0256710410_BNZ&year=1993&make=MB&model=300-DT-003&category=R&part=A%2FC+Evaporator

Do I need a special tool to pull the steering wheel off?

Thanks for all the replies.

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K

Check ******** Arizona for the ACM, their price is $231.98. I picked up the
adhesive backed foam at the hardware store. Did not have to remove steering wheel. It would have made it easier to remove/install dash but you can work around it. Just take your time removing all the trim peices if you have not done so before till you see how they are attached with screws, back clips, etc. Good luck.

I replaced the evaporator in our 95 E320 wagon last year.

Ran around $700 for the parts including replacing all the vacuum elements.

Took a couple of weekends to complete.

Can't remember how much alcohol.....

Given the amount of work, I didn't skimp on the quality of the parts.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Jim,

Do you have your original parts list available? In addition to the evap and pods, did you replace any o-ring seals at the expansion valve? Is it a good idea to replace the receiver drier when doing this?

Thanks for the advice.

Andy

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K

I had my usual supplier send me all that I needed. I think it's 7 vacuum pods, evap core, expansion valve, and receiver drier. Seems to me there is a thread in the archives that lists the parts.

I also needed replacement condensate drains, I used heater hose, it worked perfectly.

Anytime you have an A/C system open, it's prudent to replace the receiver/drier.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Addendum:

Like the receiver/drier, it's normal to replace any o rings when you disassemble.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I did this job on my 1987 wagon several years ago. I used the ACM evaporator with pre-installed expansion valve. It fit just fine, no finagling required. I recommend going this route, saves some hassle of installing the TXV.

You must replace the o-rings at the TXV. They are just standard metric o-rings, nothing exotic. Unfortunately I have forgotten the sizing. A good auto parts store or a/c shop will have them in stock.

Replacement of dryer is mandatory. You'll lose the new parts warranty if it's not replaced.

I didn't remove the steering wheel, just extended it all the way out. Several other folks here have done the same.

It's a tedious job, but I wouldn't rate all that high on the difficulty scale. There are not any impossible to reach fasteners, special tools, or huge torque values. Just lots of dissasembly and reassembly. It took me about 20 hours of labor over 3 days.

- JimY

Will i need to add any Pag-46 compressor oil to the sytem after i swap out the bad evap?

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K