I have a 1982 model 123 and recently spent a small fortune getting the R12 system in working order (well, sort of working order). The system works okay for about 15 minutes then the air flow diminishes to next to nothing over the next 15 minutes. If I turn off the air for 15-30 minutes the system works fine, but the cycle repeats itself. This reminds me of when the central air at my home has iced up before. Unfortunately, unlike at my home this problem happens every time. I look forward to your replies--I need to get a bit of my money's worth before wintertime!

Thanks,

Matt
'99 C230
'82 230E

PS: One of the refrigerant hoses under the dash sweats so badly that it keeps soaking the carpet. Thanks again.

Sounds like the A/C evaporator IS icing up. First check to make sure the A/C drains are clear. Next step would be to test the evaporator temp sensor.
HTH

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Scott Diener
89 300E
93 300E
92 Volvo 740 Wagon aka "Mutt mover"

The A/C avoids icing by cycling the compressor before it gets that cold. Get a thermometer and place it in the center duct. Somewhere in the forties the temperature should stop and go up a degree or two before dropping again. You may not see this with a regular thermometer but a 2-4 deg swing will be easily seen with a digital thermometer.

If the temp continues to drop into the twenties before heading up, up, up, then you have a freezing up condition.

I do not think an icing condition would be as apparant in air volume as it would in air temp. When the air volume is down check the defrost ducts (and heater ducts) to be sure that the air hasn't just been diverted.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician