Freon - 1993 - R22 or R134a ??

[Paul Bennett]

1993 190e 2.6
Wife's AC is defunct and I suspect it needs a recharge. I have both R12 (couple #s left in the #30 bottle) and R134a but am reluctant to add any freon until I'm certain what the car came with and I assume still uses. (sorry I misspoke saying R22 earlier)

Years back I took my previous 1989 MB to local A/C guy who charged $400 for a recharge and the compresser quit on the way home - ink on the check hadn't dried but no warranty or guilt. Dealer then charged $700 to make it right. Obviously I won't take another car to him/them.

I know that 1992-3 was crossover year for US cars but would MB have already switched to R134a?

Also, I can only find one Schrader valve, low side I think. Where is the other one hidden? I've got good pressure on that side and it surges appropriatly but without seeing the high side, I'm only guessing that it need another pound or more of freon.

Tks.

[suginami]

All 1993 300E's/ 400E's / 500E's / 300D's have r134a.

Don't know about the 190E's, but I bet they also got it in '93.

[jbaj007]

Any factory R-134a system will have an R-134a fitting for the access ports. Look at it. If it's a 1/4" flare, it's R-12 (NOT R22 ); if it is a quick connect it's R 134a. Also the sticker on the radiator support should say what it is. Good luck. Use gauges

[Schmohey]

The 190 uses R12.

Got this from an MB document:

"With the introduction of the W140 in 1992, MB was the first car manufacturer worldwide to use environmentally friendly R134a. Beginning, in 1991, all other models (except the W201) were converted to R134a."

[JamesDean]

i have a 93 190E it uses R12. There is one valve on the low side..middle of the fender the other one is burried underneath the air filter can....

[sixto]

There should be a tag in the engine bay that identifies the refrigerant used in the AC system. A proper R12 -> R134a conversion includes an additional tag describing the conversion, when it was done and by whom.

Sixto
... stay tuned

[gmercoleza]

Originally Posted by Schmohey

The 190 uses R12.

Got this from an MB document:

"With the introduction of the W140 in 1992, MB was the first car manufacturer worldwide to use environmentally friendly R134a. Beginning, in 1991, all other models (except the W201) were converted to R134a."

My 91 W124 uses R12.

[slk230red]

Originally Posted by Paul Bennett

1993 190e 2.6
Wife's AC is defunct and I suspect it needs a recharge. I have both R22 (couple #s left in the #30 bottle) and R134a but am reluctant to add any freon until I'm certain what the car came with and I assume still uses.

Years back I took my previous 1989 MB to local A/C guy who charged $400 for a recharge and the compresser quit on the way home - ink on the check hadn't dried but no warranty or guilt. Dealer then charged $700 to make it right. Obviously I won't take another car to him/them.

I know that 1992-3 was crossover year for US cars but would MB have already switched to R134a?

Also, I can only find one Schrader valve, low side I think. Where is the other one hidden? I've got good pressure on that side and it surges appropriatly but without seeing the high side, I'm only guessing that it need another pound or more of freon.

Tks.

Don't use R22...that is for your house A/C. You will need to get R12 or convert to R134A.

[Schmohey]

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

My 91 W124 uses R12.

Maybe they started in 1992.

[JamesDean]

Originally Posted by Schmohey

Maybe they started in 1992.

my 93 w201 is r12

[Paul Bennett]

OK thanks guys...got the message. R-134a it is.

One last question though, where is that ellusive other Schrader fitting? the high side ??

[JamesDean]

well on my m103 is burried somewhere underneath the air can / throttle body area....

[Schmohey]

Originally Posted by JamesDean

my 93 w201 is r12

You have a W201. Gmercoleza has a W124.

[JamesDean]

Originally Posted by Schmohey

The 190 uses R12.

Got this from an MB document:

"With the introduction of the W140 in 1992, MB was the first car manufacturer worldwide to use environmentally friendly R134a. Beginning, in 1991, all other models (except the W201) were converted to R134a."

I did not see this....i wonder why the 201 was an exception?

[Schmohey]

I guess the W202 was going to come out in 1994. It is much easier to just stay r12 with the 190, less headache.