Help, Leaking Freon everywhere (W124)
 

Went to an A/C check-up today and been told Freon is leaking from everywhere, condenser, compressor, hoses and EVAPORATOR. They use somekind of equipment making beeping sound to detect the leak. How accurate is this test? It is going to cost a lot to repair, the guy even does not suggest me to fix it. This is very very frustrate to hear while I am planning on some other repair job on this car (89 300E/120,000 miles). Any advice would be very appreciated.

Was this person a MB mechanic?
 

If not, take your car to a MB mechanic who is familiar with this cars. If you have problems with the A/C. Yes, it could be expensive. These cars are known for weak evaporators and compressors and they ARE expensive.:(
What symptoms are you having?:confused:

get the system fix or have the freon leak isolated. Inhaling "freon" could be fatal.

well, he may have had the sensitivity up too high on the halogen gas detector... but if you have leaks in the evaporator... unless you do it yourself, the cost doesnt warrant it

BTW J.H. thx for the advice on the evap removal, I got it out w/o breaking anything and as soon as I get my parts from fastlane and maybe g. murphy, I'll be back with cold A/C

isolated? if you're that worried about it, you can evacuate the system... but I doubt hes inhaling concentrated enough amounts for it to be fatal

On the fatality issue:

The refrigerant gas does not support human life, if it displaced all the air in your car then you would not be able to breathe. However there are (were) only ounces of the stuff in yr system so that is not an issue.

However, exposed to a naked flame I know the old R12/R22 reacted to produce phosgene - not good. Not too sure about the new fangled ozone friendly gases R134 et al.

JH
My car still has the old R-12 I beleive. The last recharge was 6 months ago and the one before was almost 3 years ago. 3 yaers ago, my shop told me he did not see any leak. 6 months ago at the rechage, the other guy did detect some leak from compression hose and recommend changing it nad the receiver drier. And suddenly everything is leaking now.

This might be a good time to go ahead with a conversion to 134. I did it in my old BMW 735i and it wasn't that expensive, maybe $600. The indy even had to do some special "plumbing" on that car. Considering what you may be looking at to repair and recharge with R12, you may be at about the same cost.

Oh yeah, the R134 is not as cold as R12.

That will be $0.02.

chc,
 

I would recommend to go to a MB mechanic who uses a dye to find the leak. This is specially true with a slow leak in the evaporator. The "sniffers" may not catch it. If your evaporator is leaking, the dye will confirm a leak visually. It is normally seen in the transmission tunnel under the car. If it is not your evaporator, you are lucky $$$. BTW, all the A/C hoses can be repaired since only the rubber portion goes bad. DO NOT buy a new A/C hose. After re-reading your post, I may be too late for the hose.
The compressors are also expensive...
Do a search!:cool:
Good luck.