Its very hot and I need an AC system HELP! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

marco5 · #1 07-07-2011, 11:28 AM

Hey Guys,

I currently have a 1976 240D W115. It did not come with an AC Compressor or A/C system. My question is, if I add all of these components will it be expensive? Does the AC even work that well?

Does anyone have spare parts I can buy or should I buy all new? Is R12 hard or expensive to come by? If its going to cost over $500+, I dont think I'll bother.

Any advice or comments are highly appriciated.

Thanks.

IVIuzzy · #2 07-07-2011, 11:33 AM

heres what i did in my 73 115 220d.

the original york compressor draws so much hp. this is why ppl say these are slow with the ac system.

i got a sanden compressor the sanden sd-508. a new reciever drier. new hoses, and used the rest of the factory components. the sanden kit willcome with some fittings, they also have retrofit kits for mercedes so the brackets will all line up pretty easily.

compressor ran me about 150, and accumulator ran me 30ish. with hoses and all i was just at the 200 mark. put the system together, vaccumed and charged. ice cold air with a compressor with a 1-3 hp draw. if you need help with parts location and pics, let me know- regards, marc

leathermang · #3 07-07-2011, 11:48 AM

R12 is about the same cost as R134a now...
you can buy it lots of places... it is best if you get the license to buy it... which costs about $20 and can be done by taking an Online OPEN BOOK TEST.... so very doable...and will make sure you have some general knowledge of how to handle refrigerant...

R12 works way better on a system that is not designed to overcome the naturally less efficient R134a Molecule...
New cars work just fine with it because they compensate in the original components they install in the car....

vstech · #4 07-07-2011, 11:50 AM

all this is true, but thinking of doing this setup and spending less than 500 is unlikely.

Jetmugg · #5 07-07-2011, 11:55 AM

When you say that it does not have an A/C system, do you mean that there is no condensing coil, no evaporator? Was the car equipped with A/C from the factory? If not, you will not be able to put together a "correct" system for under $500. Once you start pricing the components, you will see that this is true. If you plan to rely on junkyard parts for an A/C system, you would also have to rely on a high degree of luck.

There was a guy here who built some kind of Rube Goldberg setup which involved a cooler full of ice& water, a circulating pump, and plumbed it into either his heater core, or an A/C evaporator. He seemed to be pleased with that setup, even though it was far from a "correct" AC system for a Mercedes Benz.

My 2 cents - leave the windows down and get used to the heat.

leathermang · #6 07-07-2011, 11:59 AM

You might consider one of those units made to put the evaporator under the glove compartment...called an ' add on unit '....
Or one where you put the evap and blower into the trunk... like many cars used to have stock out of the factory... 57 Buick is one example..

IVIuzzy · #7 07-07-2011, 02:02 PM

john is right, i thought the car was once set up for ac. i have plenty of 123s and 115s at the shop here for parts. also the car came set up with ac so i repaire the system. look up the sanden retrofit kits, theyre about 300 for the whole kit with hoses. assuming u have a condenser w/fan, evap, blowers.

IVIuzzy · #8 07-07-2011, 02:03 PM

when we redo customers ac on the 123s here, in florida its very very common, we have a pretty flat price at 700 including labor, this is with the sanden kit.

marco5 · #9 07-07-2011, 03:02 PM

How does an add in unit work?

I might just roll the window down and enjoy the hot air... it sounds very complicated and I would only want an origional mercedes system if i were to do it. The car already lacks HP as it is, maybe not a good idea to put it in.

Were talking easily 800+ with compresser, lines, dryer, consensor, wiring etc.... and your right I would not want it out of a junk yard lol. Possibly down the road... theres so much other areas where 800 would do better in this car.

When I do it down the road I want to keep it origional.

leathermang · #10 07-07-2011, 03:05 PM

It is called that because it is under the dash in front of the passenger..so you can see it.... millions sold to put AC into cars in the past that did not have them...
You still have to do the things under the hood... but this makes the hardest part... the evaporator and blower easy as hanging it under there...

It is possible to set up an impossible situation...
Under $500 and Stock...

You have a right be a cheap , hot and sweaty MB purist....
LOL

Quirky Mercy · #11 07-07-2011, 11:21 PM

Leathermang, I think that you are thinking of a "Red Dot" system. They make add on AC systems for just about anything.

Quirky Mercy · #12 07-07-2011, 11:24 PM

Here is a link, http://www.rdac.com/find-a-dealer

leathermang · #13 07-08-2011, 12:13 AM

I could not find a picture on the Red Dot site..

These are like the old units except thinner and prettier..

http://www.rainbowproductsonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109&Itemid=32

The 285 on this page...since you do not need heat or def ....
http://www.rainbowproductsonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=54

Some of these...like the Mustang variety are what most used to look like..

http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/ac/underdash-evaporator-units-87.php

jbach36 · #14 07-08-2011, 09:55 PM

Mercedes a/c systems are known to be junk. It's my understanding they were put on state-side once the cars arrived in the US. I heard they were built by US made AC Delco, and are adequate at best, but if you live in the south where it gets hot.... they're marginal.

If you can get one out of a Toyota Tercel, you'd be better off than with a Mercedes a/c.

If you're starting from scratch, you're better off, because you can install whatever you want.

piccolovic · #15 07-09-2011, 06:24 PM

Hmmm . . . by any chance is this the '76 240D known as the "Pumpkin" sold to Pierre back in 2005? The reason I got rid of it was it would be too expensive, or too labor intensive to retrofit the car for A/C, which it never had before. Then I went out and bought a 300D and wound up replacing compressor/evaporator, some gaskets and used Freeze-12 which is available through NAPA. I may just turn around and convert it to 134A, if I don't have to change the oil.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode