Topping off R-12???
 

Hey all,
Well, this spring is my time to do repairs to the 300e. One thing I noticed that needs addressing is that the a/c is low on refrigerant. There is also oil that is not 10w30 on the ac hose, r-12. I've noticed that a new hose is something rediculous, several hundred dollars at least. My plan is to use the UV dye to check for the leak and then try to find an a/c shop that will rebuild the hose, but in the mean time, I would like to have cool a/c. How would one go about topping off the system with a can of r-12? I noticed there is a little valve by abs on the hose, could one just top it off through there? I can get r-12, but am not sure how to put it in. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Scott

300E A/C tune up
 

Take it to a competent A/C shop. Slight oil seep on hose may not be a problem.
Since you are not familiar with A/C service, do not take the risk of serious injury screwing around with refrigerant. Mistake can cause blast of refrigerant onto hands, into eyes, causing serious injury, loss of eyesight, etc.

I agree with Mr. Bowers. You need gauges and hoses with fittings that attach to the high and low sides. If you dump freon into the wrong side it's bad news.

I have a buddy that knows how it's done. If someone has the equipment they probably can do it right for you and save a trip to the shop.

You have received some good replies and on the right track. The AC shops can recover the R12 and repair the hose if that is indeed the problem.

One other thing. Some A/C shops, in spite of the fact that it is illegal for them to tell you so, will tell you that it is illegal to top off an R12 system. They will do this in an effort to sell you a conversion job.

In the 609 Certification test they are clear about this. It is NOT illegal to top off an R12 system. That said, diagnose before you act. They can put in UV dye and determine for sure where the leak is located before doing the work. They have other valid means of detecting leaks.

Good luck,

All good points. Perhaps I will take a step back and start checking around for the cost to do it right. I believe it is the hose, and I think I will take it to get UV dye put in sometime in the next week or two. First I have to resolve this little stalling issue the car has just come up with. So if they recover the R-12, would it be just simply put back into the car after the repair was done? Or would I have to buy the full amount of R-12?
Thanks again for all of the great advise!!

It depends on the shop. Some shops recover the R12 for recycling and then subtract that from the cost of the R12 from their cylinder. Other shops can recover, recycle in the same machine then put it back in, then make up the rest from their R12 cylinder.

Good luck,