My ebay purchase 300d came with the usual cliche "AC needs a charge".

I bought the car in September from a guy in Colorado, who used it as his summer driver. The PO claimed he bought the car with non-functional AC and never bothered to fix it because of the climate.

I naturally assumed the worst. Realizing that AC compressor replacements cost more than transmissions (WHY?) my final bid reflected my scepticism.

The winter rolled by and I saved my money up for the paint and AC work. In february, I had the AC checked by an indy who specialized in AC only work. Just for kicks, he converted and filled the very empty compressor and ITS ALIVE!!!

I couldn't believe my good fortune, how does a AC unit non-functional for almost 4 years spring back to life with only a charge AND NOT LEAKING?

Well, the AC worked brilliantly, for 4,000 miles (including a 2000 mile 5 day trip to Texas) until now. Today was a mild 60 degrees and the auto climate control was doing a decent job of maintianing a comfortable cabin. As I was running my usual errands for work, I noticed an intermittent belt squeak. I turned off the radio to listen, then the AC, and OH S#$*. The noise got louder. With the AC back on, the noise was gone. I continued to the rest of my errands and returned to the office. When I turned off the still ice cold AC, the noise was worse and SMOKE!

I'm hoping this is only a bad clutch, perhaps you all can give me comforting words supporting my hypothesis.

I removed the belt to stop any further damage, noise and smoke are now gone. Was that a good idea, or was there another way to stop this from continuing? I could have left the belt and AC on, but every time I started or turned off the engine the horrible noise would return.

The AC miracle is over. How hard is it to replace the clutch?

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

You did the right thing by removing the belt. Next you need to determine if it's the compressor or just the clutch that has failed. Can you rotate the compressor by hand by turning the center section of the pulley?

It does turn normally, I assume, since I don't know how a compressor is supposed to turn. The AC was great until I cut the belt.


The clutch does not feel right, in my opinion. Alot of metal on metal scratchy noises and not turning as easily.

The entire area was covered with oil, a remnant of my recent oil cooler line incident last month. This weekend was going to be engine detail day for both my benzes.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I don't know how/if you can replace just the clutch with the compressor in place. Hopefully someone else has done it, anyone?

The clutch can pulled without removing the compressor.
There is a dedicated set of threads that will pull the clutch off the shaft with the compressor in situ.
Just need the removal tool.

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

Wow, nothing insightful to add Tyler, just good luck!

(Oh, and take pictures if you do it )

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

I started smelling burnt rubber, and pulled over to find the the compressor belt burning up....

My compressor still rotates by hand, but I did take the belt off and unplugged the elctrical harness.

I did not try to replace anything yet, figured it would be too much money, but are you saying a seized compressor won't rotate at all, but there may be a chance to fix my old compressor with a new clutch?

Would it be worth trying? I decided last summer not to fix, but man it is hot in FL, especially when it is raining and you have to roll the window up cause you car has no A'/c

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85 300CD Turbo "Das Polluter" 230K sold for $3,000

98 BMW 323is

Well, it was the compressor, damn.

But she's fixed, and full of R12.

What an amazing difference with a new compressor and the old good stuff make. It did cost me about $900 out the door, but it gets way too hot in Kansas.


It was hovering around 80 degrees today, and it cooled down the cabin amazingly quick.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Glad to hear it Tyler!

I am soooo jealous of your R12

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT