How much you are willing to spend to fix the A/C on a 20+ year MBZ - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Matt L · #16 05-03-2009, 11:57 AM

The cylinder is higher now (at least around here), at about $90 for a 30lb-er. Still very cheap; that comes to $3/lb. Small cans seem to be about $4.50 now, which comes to $6/lb.

With a heated charging cylinder, it really doesn't matter if you use small cans or a jug when it comes to accuracy. I highly recommend this tool if you do a lot of filling, or just want to be extremely accurate. Of course, the jug is still much easier to deal with when filling the charging cylinder.

Jerry Cohen · #17 05-03-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I run my cars on the cheap but they are all in tip top conditions relative to their ages.

Facts:

1) I use 99c power steering fluid from 99 cents store. So what wrong with that.
2) I use 99c engine oil from 99cents store, So what wrong with that.
3) I recharge R134a for $7 a can with a hose, so what wrong with that.
4) R134a is discharged to the atmosphere everyday some time some where by some body. It does not make venting right and one should avoid that.
5) Safety is always my main concern and I always wear safety google and gloves when I work on my cars.

I will read and seek ideas from members to maintain my fleets of MBZ, good or bad.

What you do is your own business and right. When you post dangerous advice the pro's and semi-pro forum members are going to call you on it.

I'm not going to waste my time defending accepted industry practices and regulations, but please don't claim to be succesfull at doing a/c repair when you don't even use a set of guages and simply charge the low side from a can. Thank God R143a fittings are different sizes, so people won't blow the can up.

Using .99 oil in a MB isn't a real good idea. You probably haven't heard of the issues M116 and M117 motors have with valvetrain wear since you own diesels.

ah-kay · #18 05-03-2009, 12:19 PM

In one's honest opinion, what is the appropriate $$ price for a bottle of power steering fluid. Shall it be gold plated?

I have high/low pressure gauge, vacuum pump. I know what is high/low side, R12 and R134a fittings. Not to mention compressor air with filters.

I am still here and have not killed myself yet, or losing an eye and a limb. I try to set an example and 'move on' but there are people who follow me to tell me I am too cheap with my MBZ.

Matt L · #19 05-03-2009, 12:40 PM

Let's go back to the beginning:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

Members is under no obligation to listen to anyone. It is one's prerogative to read the post and evaluation the answers.

While that is correct, and while you think you know what you are doing, your advice to people who do not think that they know what they are doing is nothing short of irresponsible. Thus, you will be called out on it.

In addition, you easily pick up on the people who are calling you out, but do not see that you are just as argumentative in the other direction.

Jerry Cohen · #20 05-03-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

In one's honest opinion, what is the appropriate $$ price for a bottle of power steering fluid. Shall it be gold plated?

I have high/low pressure gauge, vacuum pump. I know what is high/low side, R12 and R134a fittings. Not to mention compressor air with filters.

I am still here and have not killed myself yet, or losing an eye and a limb. I try to set an example and 'move on' but there are people who follow me to tell me I am too cheap with my MBZ.

I use power steering fluid in cars that call for power steering fluid. Many MB models of the vintage discussed in this forum call for ATF, only. That's why one should look it up. Public libraries have free databases that can provide such information.

Telling people that it's ok to us .99 p.s fluid in a W114 body 220D is simply misinformed. It has nothing to do with gold plated bottles.

An compressor with filter does not substitute for using nitrogren, not even close. Using soapy water to check for leaks at the fitting you can get to is not the same as using the proper tools to diagnose leaks.

People aren't "following you", don't flatter yourself. Heck, you started the thread. What do you expect, a flock of followers to sing praises for you?

People who have years of professional experience don't want a shadetree mechanic to get hurt or to ruin expensive parts. Simple as that.

Scott98 · #21 05-03-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Cohen

I use power steering fluid in cars that call for power steering fluid. Many MB models of the vintage discussed in this forum call for ATF, only. That's why one should look it up. Public libraries have free databases that can provide such information.

Telling people that it's ok to us .99 p.s fluid in a W114 body 220D is simply misinformed. It has nothing to do with gold plated bottles.

An compressor with filter does not substitute for using nitrogren, not even close. Using soapy water to check for leaks at the fitting you can get to is not the same as using the proper tools to diagnose leaks.

People aren't "following you", don't flatter yourself. Heck, you started the thread. What do you expect, a flock of followers to sing praises for you?

People who have years of professional experience don't want a shadetree mechanic to get hurt or to ruin expensive parts. Simple as that.

I spoke to a factory trained indy about the power steering pump on my 240D. He said I must use the MB spec fluid. Had something to do about the aluminum housing on the pump I believe. He knows what he's talking about so I listen to him.

Scott

Matt L · #22 05-03-2009, 02:17 PM

I used MB fluid in my 210. It was expensive at the parts counter ($17/liter or some such), but the system doesn't hold much.

ah-kay · #23 05-03-2009, 04:20 PM

This is a forum and you write about experience, good or bad, and how you can improvise to get the job done. It is up to the members to decide whether it is pertinent info. Similar to you do not follow me to use 99cents p/s fluid or oil. I did not recommend putting in $0.99 cents power steering. I just stated that I used them and it serves me well. I suspect the other member ps is sucking air and it turns out to be true. Even Click and Clack brother do not give accurate advise every time. It does not mean you need to ban them or not listening to them. This is entertainment. You can treat mine as entertainment and I am full of it.

People can keep paying a premium for name brand, be it synthetic oil, power steering fluid, coolant, disc pad etc. I just use generic, similar to using generic drugs. If ones feel better by using name brands then so be it, I don't have an argument with that.

My newest MBZ is 22 years old ( 300K+ miles each ) and this is the way I want to maintain them. If they serve me for another 5 years or 100k then I have recouped my money plus more. I do not use dino-diesel and do not line the pockets of all those oil shrieks. I am not a rocket scientist but am very technically minded and I know what I am doing most of the time. Everybody screw up, so what is new. I think my MBZ are in safe hands and with occasional help from members in this forum, they should be fine. If my p/s craps out then you will be the first one to know and you can tell me 'I told you so'.

This will be my last post about A/C and I need to fix the reclining back seat of my 300SDL. Actually it is fixed now, I fixed the electric, mechanic and the driving motors myself without being taken to the cleaner. I just need to put the panel back together.

Jerry Cohen · #24 05-03-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

This is a forum and you write about experience, good or bad, and how you can improvise to get the job done. It is up to the members to decide whether it is pertinent info. Similar to you do not follow me to use 99cents p/s fluid or oil. I did not recommend putting in $0.99 cents power steering. I just stated that I used them and it serves me well. I suspect the other member ps is sucking air and it turns out to be true. Even Click and Clack brother do not give accurate advise every time. It does not mean you need to ban them or not listening to them. This is entertainment. You can treat mine as entertainment and I am full of it.

People can keep paying a premium for name brand, be it synthetic oil, power steering fluid, coolant, disc pad etc. I just use generic, similar to using generic drugs. If ones feel better by using name brands then so be it, I don't have an argument with that.

My newest MBZ is 22 years old ( 300K+ miles each ) and this is the way I want to maintain them. If they serve me for another 5 years or 100k then I have recouped my money plus more. I do not use dino-diesel and do not line the pockets of all those oil shrieks. I am not a rocket scientist but am very technically minded and I know what I am doing most of the time. Everybody screw up, so what is new. I think my MBZ are in safe hands and with occasional help from members in this forum, they should be fine. If my p/s craps out then you will be the first one to know and you can tell me 'I told you so'.

This will be my last post about A/C and I need to fix the reclining back seat of my 300SDL. Actually it is fixed now, I fixed the electric, mechanic and the driving motors myself without being taken to the cleaner. I just need to put the panel back together.

I don't want to tell you ' I told you so', I want to protect people from your misinformation. It's obvious what your agenda is, those "oil shrieks" are after your money, right?

You are right, you maintain your cars the way you want to, that's your choice.

When you post misinformation, and get arrogant about how well things work out for you, peachy.

But, it's not fair to people who want to take care of a car they might view as an investment of hard earned money. Not the same as a fleet of diesel beaters that are in the hands of a user-upper owner.

If I had just spent big money on a W111 cabrio, and ruined my p/s or a/c because of your misinformation I wouldn't be very happy.

It's not about generic p/s fluid, and it's obvious you just don't get it. A W114 220D takes ATF only, period.

It's not about feeling better by using name brand/synthetics. It's about the long term consequences of maintaining a car the way you profess to be so good at. There is a difference between .99 oil, and Mobil 1 synthetic. It won't matter if the car is dead in a few years.

Btw, It is very irksome to keep hearing about "being taken to the cleaners". As if all repair shops don't deserve to be compensated for the professional service they provide.

I doubt you would let someone denigrate your choosen profession.

Jerry Cohen · #25 05-03-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

Let's go back to the beginning:

While that is correct, and while you think you know what you are doing, your advice to people who do not think that they know what they are doing is nothing short of irresponsible. Thus, you will be called out on it.

In addition, you easily pick up on the people who are calling you out, but do not see that you are just as argumentative in the other direction.

Touche, he even started this thread. Hopefully, by being called out, someone won't get hurt.

C Sean Watts · #26 05-03-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

And, one more thing, NEVER convert an old R12 system to R134a, period. If you buy a car that has been converted and live anywhere it gets above 90 in the summer you should strongly consider converting it back to R12.

CANNOT be said enough....and not just with old MB cars, either. I had a '93 Escort I tried this on - big mistake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

buy some R12 while it is still plentiful and you will be cool and comfy in your Mercedes well into the future.

I still have a bit left, WELL under retail.

compress ignite · #27 05-03-2009, 06:00 PM

(Usually, I'll try to ignore,the Ignorant 's remarks)

However,

'Nothing like being a 2nd,3rd,4th,Etc. owner and finding some self appointed
clown has used IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES and/or IMPROPER FLUIDS on your "New to You" Mercedes.

(Controversial Opinion)
'Might we have a duty to future owners? [YES!]

I'm quoting the OP here:

"This is a forum and you write about experience, good or bad, and how you can improvise to get the job done.
It is up to the members to decide whether it is pertinent info."

WRONG! (See my remarks about "Self Appointed")
This community's focus is to offer the best advice possible to each other
AND the novices,WHO MAY RELY ON THE ADVICE OFFERED !
('Based on YOUR lack of ethics/morals,telling small children about the joys of playing in traffic is perfectly acceptable.)

[Note to Self,I don't do enough "Eating Crow" and Editing when I'm wrong]

"This is entertainment. You can treat mine as entertainment and I am full of
it."

The Fact that you View this forum primarily as "Entertainment" ,tells all that needs to known!

What you are "full of" cannot be described in polite company.

Scott98 · #28 05-03-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I just use generic, similar to using generic drugs. If ones feel better by using name brands then so be it, I don't have an argument with that.

Feel free to do what you want as it is your own car but don't tell people generics are the same as name brands. With prescription drugs that is the case as acetaminephin is the same thing no matter what you call it. BUT, Redline oil is not the same as Rotella and MB power steering fluid is not the same as $.99 stuff from autozone just as MB tranny fluid is not the same as Dextron. Again, its your car so feel free to do what you want but don't confuse less experienced people into thinking its all the same.

Scott

Jerry Cohen · #29 05-03-2009, 07:22 PM

Case in point, remember Freeze 12? Well suppose someone just adds it willy nilly to a R12 system and doesn't use the propriatery Freeze 12 fittings and label the system as being converted. If a shop pull this fractional mixture into a reclaim machine it will be a very expensive problem. That's why shops have to use a very expensive sniffer, or risk losing big money by contaminating the R12 already recovered or evern worse putting the mix into a customers car.

Brandon_SLC · #30 05-03-2009, 07:36 PM

Personally, I don't have a problem with someone buying an old beater - then driving it till it drops dead. My Uncle maintains his cars this way. If he gets 1 to 3 years out of them for a few hundred to, say, $2000 in his mind he's done ok. But he drives them into the ground, then junks them. I bring this up because he spends less money on his cars than I do.

I maintain mine the best way I know how. It's my hobby and an ethic I learned from hanging around people with "neat cars" when I was a kid. I can't stand to live with a car that's got something wrong with it. I feel compelled to fix it and fix it right.

I guess it's a lifestyle choice. Probably depends on your background. My uncle for instance, was born and raised on a hog farm in Oklahoma. I was raised in affluent suburbs of major cities.