Hi everyone!

I just paid $754 (plus install etc, etc...) for a genuine MB replacement A/C compreesor for my 86' 300E. How do I make sure that I recieved the part I paid for and not some aftermarket replacement? Are there any indications to look for on the compressor from looking at it installed under the hood?

Thank you to everyone for all your great contributions to this wonderful website!

Jerry

__________________
05 E55
03 E500

There is no real need to purchase an a/c compressor from MB to ensure quality. This is a standard item from Nipondenso and can be purchased rebuilt or new for less money from many other sources with no fear of lower quality.

The best source I know as an alternate source for a/c compressors is via www.aircondition.com. There are several suppliers there including ackits.com.

The biggest concern you should have when replacing a compressor involves what exactly failed in the compressor necessitating its replacement. If it failed internally, it is necessary to THOROUGHLY flush the system to remove the debris that a failed compressor spreads throughout the system.

If the compressor is merely being replaced because the shaft seal began leaking, then it is a much less catastrophic situation and can be handled by simply replacing the filter drier, evacuating and charging.

Best of luck,

I can tell you from installing hundreds of them that the Nippondenso compressor is the worse candidate going for using a rebuilt. The problem is that they have teflon coated pistons and nobody is replacing the teflon in the rebuilding process. Maybe Behr and MB do and these are the only rebuilts that we use currently. Mostly we buy them from MB and MB uses rebuilts for that application. I'm not sure new is even available anymore, it will be special order if it is at most dealers.

It would make a bunch of difference to me if I were sold anything but a MB rebuilt. MB rebuilts are only about $450 list from a dealer so I'm not sure what you got. If you got a new compressor with clutch for 754 thats probably a good deal even if more than MB price for rebuilt.

BTW the MB rebuilt doesn't have a clutch so if yours was damaged the MB rebuilt will also have to add a clutch. Still should be less than 700.

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