Removing York compressor w/out using explosives ... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BodhiBenz1987 · #1 09-12-2011, 12:05 AM

I haven't been doing much heavy lifting as far as the cars go lately but decided to dig back in on the '78 240D, which has been sitting for months. Basically it was leaking coolant from (I am pretty sure) the t-stat housing where it junctions with the block. Since I have a York compressor, it's a gigantic pain. I haven't been able to get any tool on the lower t-stat housing bolt because of the bracket. Finally today I decided to just take the bracket and off. I removed the fan and all the bolts that I know of, but the bracket will not budge. I tried hitting it with a rubber mallet and prying it with a pry bar, with care not to damage anything in the vicinity (except myself). What am I missing? Here is what is removed: Two large bolts from the front of the block to the bracket, two small bolts from the front (behind the fan), one large nut to the exhaust manifold and two large nuts down on that little leg of the bracket that heads toward the oil pan. Won't move in any direction. I don't even think there's any rust there, because there's so much grease around it over the years. Anyone else encounter this?

t walgamuth · #2 09-12-2011, 06:08 AM

Did you check your hoses?

The short hose between the t stat housing and whatever is above it likes to leak a bit if the clamps get loose.

Air&Road · #3 09-12-2011, 08:48 AM

It's been a LONG time since I touched one of these, so memory may not serve me correctly, but the good thing is that you have service valves that make it very easy to get the compressor out of the without losing the charge.

Back seat the service valves, remove the lines and then remove the compressor. You will have better access.

Hope this helps,
Larry

BodhiBenz1987 · #4 09-12-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Did you check your hoses?

The short hose between the t stat housing and whatever is above it likes to leak a bit if the clamps get loose.

I think that hose is leaking too, the dealer parts guys gave me a replacement piece, but ... I can't get to it because the compressor bracket is in the way. If I could just move it an inch I could pull the t-stat housing off. Unfortunately even if I take the compressor itself off, the bracket is still completely in the way. The FSM says the bracket can be removed with the compressor still on it. I just don't understand why the bracket won't move once all the bolts are out.

Larry, this may be a silly question, but what exactly does it mean to backseat the valves? I've seen the phrase in several threads on search but couldn't find one that explains what it is. Perhaps I should do a Google though, when I get back from the post office.

Air&Road · #5 09-12-2011, 03:45 PM

Are you sure that this one doesn't have StratoFlex hoses? If it does, you don't need to replace the hose. Simply unthread the fitting, cut an inch or so off the hose and screw it back together.

Larry

Phillytwotank · #6 09-12-2011, 05:04 PM

you are missing one bolt on the front. two small 14mm on the front and three large. one is kinda hidden under a lip on the front of the a/c comp bracket. feel for it or use a mirror.

TimFreeh · #7 09-12-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

It's been a LONG time since I touched one of these, so memory may not serve me correctly, but the good thing is that you have service valves that make it very easy to get the compressor out of the without losing the charge.

Back seat the service valves, remove the lines and then remove the compressor. You will have better access.

Hope this helps,
Larry

It's been a long time for me too on this one but I don't remember being able to save the R12 charge using the valve bodies. I do remember being able to use the valve body to employ the A/C compressor as a vacuum pump to evacuate the A/C system. Come to think of it though I don't think the later (W123) versions of the York compressor had the same valve body as the earlier (W115) versions of the OM615 and OM616 engines.

On the W115 version you could leave the compressor attached to the bracket and the A/C lines - there was plenty of room to rest the assembly out of the way for water pump work.

BodhiBenz1987 · #8 09-12-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillytwotank

you are missing one bolt on the front. two small 14mm on the front and three large. one is kinda hidden under a lip on the front of the a/c comp bracket. feel for it or use a mirror.

I just found the third bolt ... wow I feel stupid now. Thanks.

tomscat1 · #9 09-12-2011, 08:03 PM

I initially misread the title of your post..... And I was thinking.... How does he expect to get that York compressor off without using any ....... expletives?

I know I couldn't do it.

Glad the problem appears solved.

Yak · #10 09-12-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomscat1

I initially misread the title of your post..... And I was thinking.... How does he expect to get that York compressor off without using any ....... expletives?

I know I couldn't do it.

Glad the problem appears solved.

She.

tomscat1 · #11 09-12-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yak

She.

Oops. Humble apologies, I didn't know.

BodhiBenz1987 · #12 09-12-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomscat1

Oops. Humble apologies, I didn't know.

No worries.

And yes, there's no way I could do this job without expletives ... I think those started flying when I looked at the area I need to access, before I even started the job.

BodhiBenz1987 · #13 09-18-2011, 01:00 AM

Got the compressor bracket loose ... once the last bolt was out it moved easily. I only had to slide it a few mm aside to access the hidden t-stat housing bolt. Just need to finish cleaning off the old gasket and put a new one on along with new hose bit. Aside from carefully using a razor, how do you clear away old gasket? I don't want to scrape at it too much and deform the metal. After it's scraped clear I will clean it with brake cleaner. What a mess ... coolant everywhere and a lot of white residue on the outside of housing where hoses afix ... looks clean inside but probably the wrong coolant was used over the years.
Progress at least ...

.

fdanielson · #14 09-18-2011, 08:39 AM

You can buy spray on gasket remover at the local auto parts store. Spray some on and let it sit a bit and it will soften up the old gasket material. That and a long handled razor scraper do it for me. If you use a sharp razor and mind the corners you can scrape away without damaging the surface.

Air&Road · #15 09-19-2011, 07:05 AM

Yes, it might have been my 68 230 that had service valves. It sure would be easy to add them. Service valves add MANY options when it comes time to service the a/c.