I put an ACM in my 1990 (since then it has been totalled in an accident) a couple of years ago. It was all Aluminum.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Larry Bible, all I can say is that you must be living right. While I'm sure they exist, I do not personally know of a single remaining 124 car with the original evaporator. Today I removed the blower motor so I could see my evaporator. It was a nasty oily mess on the driver's side where it's leaking, just like the one was in my '90 model. It's a big leak - goes down in about 36 hours.

So keep saying your prayers!

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Hey - mine's orginal on an 86' model.


It may have seen some sealant in it's life. It did get a new compressor, dryer and hoses when the factory compressor quit functioning. I imagine it will get a new evaporator and heater core this fall/winter.

M

Hi brewtoo, I remember that job you did to replace the evap a few years back. You took a whole bunch of photos and replaced the drain hose with clear plastic ones. Nice job. Are you sure the evap did not spring a leak again?

This is a different car this time.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

So how is the AMC evaporator that you put in that other car (2007?) holding out? Do you think it will last a while? I have been wanting to do the evap on my 260e but thought about getting a genuine mercedes evap since its so much work.

Well, the ACM I used last time did just fine for about two years, and then the car was totaled when hit from behind.

Do you have a genuine mercedes evap that is leaking now? Why would you want to install another one just like the one that has failed you?

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

That's what I was about to say. The reason for these evaporators having such a high failure rate is because of the "genuine MB" part. The aftermarket version, by all reports, is far superior.

The LAST thing I would want to do is spend my 15 hours replacing the evap only to put in another bi-metalic version.

I'm about done. Larry, if you can replace an evaporator in 15 hours, you are a better mechanic than I! But, I do not get in a hurry. I even enjoy it, except for the frustrating times...so many little puzzles to put together....

Here at the end I've had trouble with o-ring leaks at the expansion valve and also where the pressure switches attach to to drier. Odd. All-new green o-rings, and the right ones, too. Oh well, better to catch it under vacuum than under pressure!

Another thing I re-learned on this project. Putting things back together is much more work than getting them apart!

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Yes I still have the genuine evap and I suspect its leaking. Last time I changed out the heater blower fan I was able have a peak at the evap and it was all rusted out. So as far as I know its shot. Now the other components such as the compressor etc could be gone too, but I won't know unless I take it in for a leak check. Car is old, 1987 260e