My AC has been adequate for the past year and a half since I purchased the car, but the other day when it got really hot here in the Bay Area it wasn't really cutting it. The monovalve is good, and I think it's been close to 8 years since the system was charged. I was pretty shocked that it worked as well as it did when I first purchased the car. I know that there are other factors involved, but I'm pretty sure that it just needs a recharge.

So my question is if any of you Bay Area residents know of a place that I can get same day service on the AC. There's a nice MB shop in Alameda but they're usually booked weeks in advance. They quoted me $200.00 last year for a recharge which seems a little steep. Are shops that carry R-12 hard to come by?
The reason this is urgent is because I'm taking family up to Yosemite Tuesday morning and it's in the upper 80's right now in San Joaquin Valley. I need someone to do this job by 3:00 Monday. Thanks for your help.

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'81 300SD

I expect that it is indeed difficult to find a shop in CA that will do this. Hopefully your post here helps you ferret out someone.

Best of luck,

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Radiatorland by SJC will charge an R-12 system... with R-12. Not cheap and their cross-sell/up-sell is award-winning.

Sixto
87 300D^2

R-12 isn't hard to obtain. One can purchase cans through Craigslist and Ebay. A 12oz can averages $30. They ask for a license on Ebay OR will sell it direct to you if you send an e-mail stating the purchase is intended for resale. Of course, there's a risk associated with buying it and using it for your own purposes...the fines can be steep.

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All the best,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1970 280SE 3.5 Cabrio
1987 560SL
1990 560SEL

I would check with RV repair shops. Auto shops tend to push conversion to the newer coolants, RV shops have multiple AC units per vehicle to service and RVs are generally kept-up for much longer periods than autos.

Not to offend anyone here, but I personally prefer hotels and B&Bs over an RV any day of the week. I'm just happy that the owners of these beasties have to have them serviced, otherwise, I might not find a place to recharge R-12.

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

My traveling in done in my 500SEL and stay in the closest Motel to where I want to be. Works better than anything that drinks fuel, cost to park, and you have to clean up after yourself.

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

500SEL's don't drink fuel?

Good point, a Sprinter RV probably gets the same mpg as a 500SEL

Sixto
87 300D^2

If not better. EPA says 12city and 15highway for the '84 560SEL. I bet a sprinter RV does better than that on the highway.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

The 17' uhaul I rented recently got 18mpg.

You missed my point. If you have never made a trip, say 1000miles in 2 days in a 126 then you can't understand. I have a 91 300D that will get 33 mpg on a trip but when wife and I go on a trip, the subject of which car to drive never comes up. The 500 will get 20 to 21 mpg on NON-ethanol gas(which can be hard to fine) or 17 to 18 on that other stuff they force on the American public. It runs great, handles great, rides great, and we feel safe in it. We will pay the price.
I actually was comparing driving the 500 instead of a motor home or big pickup and camper trailer.

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Didn't miss a thing. I was comparing the mileage of the 500 SEL with a Sprinter RV.

So you don't feel safe in the 300D even though MB spent millions in off-set crash tests and the first use of high strength steel?

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

I hear you, Paul. We took the 300D on a road trip a couple of months ago. It was pleasantly responsive over mountains and agile on the twisties but we still asked ourselves why we sold the S420. We came upon snow and even a basic S420 has traction control standard.

I chatted with Otto about another W140 last night and I just found a listing for an S420 in my inbox

Sixto
87 300D^2

It was obviously a diesel!

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Back to OP: Best bet for quick R12 bump is likely an RV service shop.

__________________
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!