I took the '87 300SDL out of my garage on a hot day last week and AC didn't work: air coming out of vents only slightly cool. It is probaby low on freon since it sit unused all winter.

What are good gage readings when I rechange it. I mean the high and low readings on the charging device gages. It still uses freon R12 as the coolant.

One other thing, I couldn't get any air to come out of the center air vent. Is this because the air was only slightly cool or is there something else wrong? Maybe I should get the air cold before I worry about the center air vent.

Thanks in advance for any help.

P E H

Well I finally took your advice and changed the oil in my '79 300SD at 3000 miles instead of my usual 10,000. I did it a new way though: I went to our fireman's field and drove off the dirt road into the grass parking area to pass a truck that was stopped when all of a sudden I wasn't moving anymore. I thought I was hung up an a rock so I backed up and went on to park the car.

Soon some kids told me that there was a big oil trail following me. I looked under and I could see a hugh hole in the steel lower oil pan with oil still dripping out. I went back to where is I hit the object and found a bent over steel fence post sticking out of the ground at about a 10 degree angle.

We park thousands of car in that field every year and mow the grass, so how come that fence post jumped up and into my oil pan now?

I thank the German engineers for the 2 piece oil pan as it was an easy fix. Since I shut the engine off shortly after the oil drained, I don't think I damaged anything. I couldn't find any metal filings in the pan and I started the engine after replacing the pan and it seemed to run the same as usual. I haven't tried it on the road yet because tha exhaust system needs repair so I thought I would do that while I had it in my service workshop.

P E H

Well I finally took your advice and changed the oil in my '79 300SD at 3000 miles instead of my usual 10,000. I did it a new way though: I went to our fireman's field and drove off the dirt road into the grass parking area to pass a truck that was stopped when all of a sudden I wasn't moving anymore. I thought I was hung up an a rock so I backed up and went on to park the car.

Soon some kids told me that there was a big oil trail following me. I looked under and I could see a hugh hole in the steel lower oil pan with oil still dripping out. I went back to where is I hit the object and found a bent over steel fence post sticking out of the ground at about a 10 degree angle.

We park thousands of car in that field every year and mow the grass, so how come that fence post jumped up and into my oil pan now?

I thank the German engineers for the 2 piece oil pan as it was an easy fix. Since I shut the engine off shortly after the oil drained, I don't think I damaged anything. I couldn't find any metal filings in the pan and I started the engine after replacing the pan and it seemed to run the same as usual. I haven't tried it on the road yet because tha exhaust system needs repair so I thought I would do that while I had it in my service workshop.

P E H

I have always felt that cars should have low oil pressure Buzzers in addition to gauges.....since oil is kinda important.... Aircraft don't rely on the pilot seeing the gauge go down... and a rebuilt MB engine costs more that a lot of small aircraft....

Leathermang.

I always thought the same thing. In one way, the red light for oil pressure is better because you will notice it quicker. Both would be a positive improvement.

P E H