Last night I wanted to do some troubleshooting on my non-working AC in my w124 87 300TD. Basically I wanted to test the fan and compressor switches on the receiver/drier.

This is first time I've worked on the AC in this car and the first time I noticed that the SLS Reservoir sits right on top of receiver/drier. To really get down there to work and/or replace the receiver/drier seems like to would require completely moving the SLS reservoir out of the way. This seems really problematic if you want to start the car at any point during troubleshooting.

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for how they have worked on the AC in this model without having to drain and move the SLS reservoir?

You don’t have to drain it.

Unscrew the hard line from the cap, cover with a finger from a glove secured with a rubber band.

Undo the bracket. Leave the bottom hose attached.

There is enough slack in the bottom hose to pull the tank out of the grommet and move it aside to access the dryer.

If your grommet is shot get a new one at the dealer (few dollars). If it’s missing, the sheet metal will cut the peg on the tank and those are $$$.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

I agree with what jay_bob said about the sis reservoir and I'll ad that removing the driver side headlight helps gain easy access to the receiver/dryer.

Got it. I see the problem I'm having now. My bottom hose is routed underneath the ABS unit in between the ABS mounts so I can't get enough slack to move the reservoir very far. I'm assuming it wasn't like that originally.

I think I see how it is supposed to be routed, but if anyone has easy access to a pic of how their hose routes I would appreciate it.

Thanks