AC compressor leaking - any aftermarket sources?

[prprjp]

Hello everyone:

Well, I took my '86 560SL to a local shop for an AC diagnostic and the verdict is a badly leaking AC compressor. Prior to taking it in, the car was blowing hot with the fan on and no cold air whatsoever. The system had been converted to 134A during the mid-nineties by the previous owner.

They've recommended replacing the compressor & drier, followed by a flush and recharge. They are also installing the monovalve rebuild kit as currently the fan blows hot all the time.

Total cost for the job has been quoted at $1,600. Does this sound about right? The monovalve is no big deal and I can switch that out myself, but the compressor (parts & labor) is 1G alone.

Are there any aftermarket compressors that are worth trying for the 107's? I hear that rebuilt compressors are not advisable due to failure. Is it possible to replace the AC compressor/drier as a DIYer with minimal AC experience?

Any help before the heat arrives!!!
TIA, Ryan

[maheath]

I went through this about 5 months ago in my 300SEL. Call Tom Hanson at Caliber Motors in Anaheim, CA (www.calibermotors.com). Talk to him about a remanufactured compressor. These are done by Denso, the original manufacturer. Caliber is a Mercedes dealer, so you get the Mercedes warranty. The remanufactured compressor, clutch and new drier cost me $578, plus a $93 core charge.

My mechanic charged me $844, but that also included a new condensor, which was leaking also (and R12)

[yeldogt]

Do a search on this -- this has come up before. Look into the rebuilt units carefully before you do it. If the OM is really providing the warranty than I would think they would be OK. Because of the failure rate and the additional cost associated with the fix. I would be carefull of a rebuild.