Well this was an interesting day. After a successful weekend trip to some U-Pull-It places in Shreveport in 102 degree heat, I was really amazed how cool my A/C was working in my 86300sdl. I even bragged about it to some co-workers. That was dumb.
Today on my way home from work, my car was not cooling very well, and at idle it was vibrating or shaking at idle. I just replaced both fuel filters last Friday, so I thought maybe some air in the lines or something.
At the next red light, it was shaking some more and I thought it surely couldn't be the A/C compressor could it? I turned off the A/C and the idle was very smooth. I turned it back on and it started to shake again. As I accelerated away from the red light I heard a squak sound and then the air was very warm and humid from the vents. Did I say it was 99 degrees out today?
I pulled over and popped the hood and the compressor was not turning. I opened the fuse box and looked at fuse 5 and it was fine. I went back in the car and turned the A/C off and then on again and went to look under the hood. The clutch engaged for a brief moment, the compressor made a bad sound and then the clutch turned off. Just exactly like it should when the RPM sensor on the back of the compressor senses that it is not turning as fast as the engine. My KLIMA unit cut the compressor off just as designed.
Needless to say a hot ride home, and now the search for a new compressor, and drier. Luckily I have another car to drive with great Air Conditioning.
Here is the question. My car had been converted to R134A prior to me purchasing it 5 years ago. Can I put in a new compressor and drier and go back to R12?
Where do you get the R12? Will a competent A/C repair shop install this for you or are they required to use R134A only?
I live in NorthEast Louisiana and would love to hear some comments.

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John
1986 300sdl
1985 380se

Can of worms, ... opened.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

whether you use R12 or 134 you need to have the system flushed.
if it was cooling well on 134 i would suggest sticking with it.
my two centavos
roberto

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1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.

Definitely would have it flushed, on the Interstate it was laways great. Stop and go traffic, not so much. I bet it cooled better with R12 in city driving. Don't know though as it was converted to R134a prior to my purchasing it.

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John
1986 300sdl
1985 380se

I don't tell anybody what to do (well maybe my dog Rizzo) with their stuff

but if the system is flushed you can put R-12 in with the right oil ect.
mine was never converted so I am sticking with R-12

I bought 4 cans of it on craigs list plus oil and other stuff for $100 (score!!)

some well most shops will just do 134a but I called around and you can find some that will put
R-12 in or in my case I am puting the parts on
expansion vave
dryer
low switch
temp sensor ect.
and they will pull the system into deep vac. and use the R-12 I bought in the cans
but then again I know the service manager and they will do it for "free" at the dealership so I don't have to buy a vac. pump my autozone didn't have one
I do give them beer money doughnuts and MT. dew (it's like currancy)

That's just what you want Noah... A bunch of drunk guys doing the AC work on your car...

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All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

Too many people tip toe through life, never attempting or doing anything great, hoping to make it safely to death... Bob Proctor

'95 S320 LWB
'87 300SDL
'04 E500 wagon 4matic