Testing A/C in the winter

[pleiades]

Anyone know a good way to check the A/C in the winter short of trying to run it in a heated (but ventilated) garage? It's a 1982 300SD with an R12 system, and the only test I know of (run in defrost, verify compressor clutch engages to demonstrate that there is SOME freon pressure in the system) was good.

It's an otherwise near-immaculate low-milage (140K) 82 300SD that, aside from some suspension rubber (expected) and a little idle shake (31 year old motor mounts and 20k since the last valve adjustment) is an obvious buy.

[compu_85]

You should see the sight glass go clear when the compressor is running.

Other then that I don't know of a good way to test when it's cold out.

-J

[vstech]

pop the radiator clips off, drop a chunk of cardboard between the condenser, that'll help raise the pressures. but, if it's below 50F outside, it's really difficult to tell if the system is in good shape.

[pleiades]

Thanks for the replies... that's what I figured. I think I'll take the gamble anyway, the car's in very good shape. And if the system's tight (verified by pressure switch), the worst case is going to be replacing the compressor or adding some R12.

We'll find out in six months!

[ROLLGUY]

Originally Posted by pleiades

Thanks for the replies... that's what I figured. I think I'll take the gamble anyway, the car's in very good shape. And if the system's tight (verified by pressure switch), the worst case is going to be replacing the compressor or adding some R12.

We'll find out in six months!

If compressor replacement is in your future, consider the Sanden upgrade...Rich

[sloride]

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

If compressor replacement is in your future, consider the Sanden upgrade...Rich

I tested mine on the way home from work this morning and it was able to keep the cabin at around 28f.