AC Delco compressor-Long - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

NoSparkNeeded · #1 02-05-2010, 08:38 PM

I've tried now 3 times to get a good rebuilt R4 compressor for my TD. First time around, I installed a 4 Seasons rebuilt. Yes, I know what I'm doing AC wise and did it properly. Flush, new o-rings with nylog, new RD, EV the works.Everything was fine for a couple weeks, the the pump got really noisy. Stillworked fine, but sounded awful. No problem with an exchange, but there wentthe last of my R12. The shop said unless I had ALL the work done there, they could only evacuate and not credit me anything for the R12. I had them suck out the last of my R12. Replaced with another rebuilt. That time I used Duracool. Lasted about 3 months and the front bearing failed ( no I'm not overthightening the belt). Just bad luck again. It still works fine, but I hate the sound when it's running. My wife's SD has been without A/C for several years, but she only cares when she goes to visit Mom, however I thought I'd like to get both our cars sorted out. I looked here first. I spent over 300.00 on parts here today, so I don't feel bad commenting on the fact that new units were quite expensive, so I looked around the web.discountacparts.c*m has "New" units that they manufacture, or for 40 bucks more, have "OEM" units. Hunting around, it seems 4 Seasons manufactures their units, and perhaps even the Delco units. I really don't want to spend 900bucks on two of the "new" discountacparts compressors, if the company thatput me in this position is making them. I have NEVER had any luck with 4 Seasons, reman units. Have I just had bad luck with that manufacturer?Does AC Delco just farm out or are they still OK? I can spend 40 bucks moreand get an "OEM" unit, but who the heck knows who really makes it?So 245.00 for the inhouse "new" vs, 285.00 for the OEM "new". I sure as heck don't want to hunt down more freon, only to have a part fail again.I could just use duracool, but I'd rather use R12. What a PITA this has turned into. Save the defrost advantage, and the wife's trips to Sac, I guess I could just not fix either, but I want this to work as they should, any opinions or advice on discountacparts.c*m. Thanks

leathermang · #2 02-05-2010, 08:57 PM

It would help if you put some space into a long post to make it easier to read by old people.
Have you seen my posts concerning being sure you get the later model serial number Delco compressor... which is made stronger than the earlier ones.. according to my AC Guru in San Antonio.... Other makes and models of cars use the Delco R4 with R 134a without problems connected to the earlier serial numbers...

NoSparkNeeded · #3 02-05-2010, 09:06 PM

Sorry,I just saw how my post looked. I made myself a Dell B130 Apple today, and something isn't tweeked quite right. I got this Inspiron B130 at a garage sale for 10 bucks, re-soldered the power port and put Leopard 10.5.6 on it. Perhaps it's a glitch, or a spaz with the touch pad. It looked ok when I sent it,heh. Didn't intend to annoy. Back on my desktop now,heh

JimmyL · #4 02-05-2010, 09:07 PM

Well, I got a reman unit from here at Peachparts for my '85 wagon. It will be 5 years this coming summer and it is still working just fine. It is not an everyday driver though.
My '81 wagon came with leak in the AC system but a NEW oem Delco compressor. I redid all the other stuff and that AC works the best of any W123 I've owned. I run Freeze12 in it so I imagine R12 would be just a bit better.
Maybe I was just lucky, maybe you were just unlucky. I have no idea of the manufacturer of either....

Hit Man X · #5 02-05-2010, 10:47 PM

The consensus here is to purchase a new R4. I will be doing this when I get to replace my R4 on the 300SD again here in a few months.

rrgrassi · #6 02-05-2010, 11:43 PM

Get a brand new Hodyon (Hancock Industries) made. My current one will be enduring its 4th summer season this year...Like Jimmy I am running Freeze 12, and I used BG Frigiquite Oil.

NoSparkNeeded · #7 02-06-2010, 06:13 PM

Where did you get the compressor you used? It's quite an eye opener to
me to find out that what I perceived as an OEM part can be made new
by several different companies. All I know is I don't want another 4 Seasons
anything. They took back the faulty parts, but I used up my last r12 with
no compensation. The "OEM" part I might purchase is 285.00, is that compressor you purchased close to that in price?

derburger · #8 02-06-2010, 07:16 PM

I put a new AC Delco compressor in my 300cd in 2008 and it's still going strong. It is part number 15-20206 and includes the stepped port seals. With r12, the A/C in my w123 keeps up with 100 degree temps.

I ordered mine from GM/Ford parts supplier oehq.com, as of today the part is $230. I think it was made in the USA but the seals were not. Not sure about the compressor serial number, but compressors are worth buying new and non-Four Seizens.

My 300cd had the "Black death" in 2008 in the A/C system after having a new compressor and r-134a conversion in 2000. So far so good with the Delco unit and r12...

Hit Man X · #9 02-06-2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

Where did you get the compressor you used? It's quite an eye opener to
me to find out that what I perceived as an OEM part can be made new
by several different companies. All I know is I don't want another 4 Seasons
anything. They took back the faulty parts, but I used up my last r12 with
no compensation. The "OEM" part I might purchase is 285.00, is that compressor you purchased close to that in price?

Behr is about $290 wholesale, so your pricing is not too far off.

I had poor luck with Freeze 12 at low vehicle speeds in my 300SEL (freeway is fine), I would just do R12. Cost is about a wash anyway.

Yours failed as did mine, deal with it and motor on. I am.

leathermang · #10 02-07-2010, 12:52 AM

http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=14276

leathermang · #11 02-07-2010, 12:53 AM

Who sell Freeze 12 locally??

Hit Man X · #12 02-07-2010, 01:48 AM

I might also add this:

The only reason I tried F12 was due to the fact I supposedly had an evap leak in the 300SEL, this turned out to be false. I am sure the expansion valve o-rings were leaking (per the usual). Now I get to go back through the system all over again so I can go back to R12.

As stated R12 is plenty easy to find and the system was designed for it, just check out Craigslist if you are too lazy to become EPA certified.

Also people out there in MB land, step up to an '85 or later A/C condenser to double the capacity of the condenser to dissipate heat. If you live in a climate such as I do, JimmyL, leathermang, etc this is a great help. Hell, this is smart in general.

One look to see how much smaller the tubes are and how many more there are, you will understand. Same goes for the smaller water pump pulley (spins faster at low speeds...) and larger, late aux fan.

STICK WITH R12

.

leathermang · #13 02-07-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

I might also add this:

The only reason I tried F12 was due to the fact I supposedly had an evap leak in the 300SEL, this turned out to be false.
STICK WITH R12 .

Lets talk about that whole premise...which JimmyL also expressed in a post...

That is totally opposite to what the physics of the situation would logically dictate.

Putting in a BLEND.....which will escape at a differential rate due to the BLEND of molecule sizes...and thus require total flushing and refilling instead of being able to TOPPED OFF...... into a system which is either LEAKING or THOUGHT to be Leaking... does not make any sense.

Have you ( and JimmyL ) figured that out at this point in time ?

**********STICK WITH R12
or PUT straight R134a into your system
instead of a BLEND LIKE FREEZE12.... or a hydrocarbon which may be illegal in the state you live in... *****

Hit Man X · #14 02-07-2010, 08:06 PM

I agree, looking back on it. Even if the system was leaking with R12, I still would have preferred to have that in there. Twas a foolish mistake I will not make again.

leathermang · #15 02-07-2010, 08:25 PM

You may have saved a lot of people making that same mistake....