Remove A/C System?
 

Hello
I am considering removing the entire ac system on my 1979 240D, seeing as I don't use it this far north, and it is broken. I will keep the parts around in case I ever sell it and want to rebuild it, but I can't imagine ever parting. Anyways, I was wondering how I would go about removing the compressor, condensor, and hoses, and electrical components. The compressor is already hanging off and I have the drive belt off because I have been replacing the belts. I am also wondering if this might have any negative affects on the performance; it seems to me it would improve it. Thanks for your help!

Just take the compressor off if it's already hanging off. Leave the rest if you want (easier for any new owner). You'll need to measure for a new belt. As A/C was optional (at least on euro models), look at that belt setup.

Why? Not much point in knowing the size of a belt that is no longer needed.

The compressor for my 250 is sitting in a cabinet. It's been there for about a year. No worries, and now my alternator is a lot easier to get to. I took the compressor off my 240D once, but for reasons I don't remember, I put it back on.

By the way I have the compressor on the driver's side, not the york. What about the condenser and the hoses? Don't I at least need to plug the hoses, and how would I do that?

If you don't ever plan on getting the AC system working again, you could just leave them open. Otherwise, any shop that works on hydraulics should have little plastic caps to plug the hoses with. They come in bulk and aren't expensive. If you ask nicely, they'll probably give you a couple for free.

Thanks for the advice

Ha.. Ha..:D That gave me a little morning chuckle with my coffee!

I would cap the lines. You never know.... You may wind up repairing it one day. It the very least it would make it easier for someone some day to put it all back together.

One last question... there is no advantage to taking the condenser out? Thanks for the help

Taking the condenser out can allow more airflow to the radiator.

-Jason

AND, these cars worked just fine out of the factory the way they were designed. You have other problems if you need more flow to the radiator - especially in an area cool enough to consider deleting the AC. I'm a fan of repairing as I've dealt with too many rigs done by the PO.

Aftermarket.
 

When the original owner brought my '83 over, he had a/c installed at the dealer down in CA. Wish he hadn't. Those guys routed one of the pressure lines directly over the top of the oil filter housing. Makes getting at the filter way tougher! Clutters up the engine bay, to boot.

These cars weren't "designed" for air conditioning. It was an afterthought for the lazy Americans.

Jay.

I just cut off the AC belts and good riddance.

I find pulling out unnecessary stuff from my cars is a bit like bashing my head against a brick wall. It doesnt achieve very much, but it feels good once I stopped !! If the car runs well, dont worry about the extra 20 lb of stuff thats there. If I want to lighten the load, I will go to the gym!!

I recently yanked the A/C off my 84 300d...so much easier to work in the engine compartment now. I live in TN and it can get hot for a few days in the summer , but I do fine without it. Sunroof .
I removed nearly everything in the engine compartment. I don't plan on selling the car in my lifetime, but I'll probably keep the parts just in case. All that junk is heavy...the car sits up in front now. I plugged the open lines under the dash with silicone. :)

You don't indicate where you live"far north'"? Now if I lived in TX, AZ,FL or similar , I probably would not have done this.

I think another major factor in needing A/C or not, is ones physical fitness. The obese and out of shape tend to overheat sooner. :cool: