Good news:
The schrader valve leak was due to a missing spacer in the plastic valve cap. This caused the valve cap to partially depress the schrader valve, and was only noticable when starting to undo the valve cap. The valve doesn't leak when the valve cap is removed.

Bad news:
Adding dye to the system shows the condenser is leaking.
Recommendation is to replace the condenser and receiver/dryer.
One of the hoses is also suspect but cannot be diagnosed due to an accumulation of crud caused by a previous (recently fixed) oil leak from the timing cover - behind the distributor.

The shop owner/tech recommends that I obtain and replace the parts myself - which I plan to do. He will then fit the receiver/dryer, evacuate and re-charge the system with R12.

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten