Except one usually doesn't have to replace the universal joint of their car during the car's useful life.

It's a beautiful car. Nobody here will buy it though because you are asking about what it is worth

As for the A/C issues...here's what I do when I run across a system of "unknown status". First check to see if there is any refrigerant in the system at all. You can do this by either hooking up a gauge or just pushing in the schraeder valve on the hose for a second. If there is any refrigerant in there you are lucky (and yes it does happen). You don't have to open it up and do anything to it because it is telling you that it holds pressure. If there isn't any in it then I hook up a vacuum pump and see if it will hold a vacuum. If it does then, once again, you are lucky.

Next, you can test to see if the compressor is functioning. The pulley will turn when the belt is driving it but the compressor is only working when the center section is turning along with the pulley. That means the clutch is engaging. If it is not engaging then I usually test the clutch to see if that is the problem...apply 12V to the clutch and watch for the plate to move and listen for the click.

These tests will help to narrow down the issues with the A/C. To start with a complete tear down when all it may need is a charge is like repainting the whole car to fix that little rust bubble. It might cost as little as $100 to get the A/C working or maybe a lot more, but until you know what's wrong you can't be sure.

I recently bought a 240D which a PO had removed the belt from the A/C compressor. It had some refrigerant in it (passed test #1) so I put the belt on. I then discovered why it was removed. All of the rubber bushings which the compressor mounts on were disintegrated and the compressor bounced around like crazy. Replaced the bushings and added a can of R12 and that A/C was as good as new. $100 in parts and a couple of hours of my time was all it needed to restore it. Don't always assume the worst, especially when you are selling a car. That's the buyer's job.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Thanks Marty!
When I bought this car the AC did work fine. I have worked on a lot of aspects of different cars but not AC, only a AC clutch fix once.......so I very much appreciate the info!!

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Tom

Dieselgiant.com has a great section on AC repair with pictures also search the DIY part of these forums for more answers.

Thanks helpplease

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Tom

Never had one go bad in more than a million miles of driving MB diesels, since 1969.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert