'Soon be installing new AC compressor & receiver/dryer on recently purchased 81 300D (124 kmi). Should I convert it to 134A? TIA

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

No. The 134 is a less efficient refrigerant, I believe by about 10-15% less cooling. The initial cost of R12 is higher but if your system is leak tight you do not have to worry about refilling costs down the road.

Reza

Agreed. I switched to R134 and it doesn't work as well. I wouldn't do it again.

I switched a 77 300D and it worked fine. The only difference was the costs.

I have seen this go both ways. If the r-12 is available to you, it will be fine. The only thing that I have seen is the 134-a will dry out the oil on some occasions and the compressor will sieze up after only a shor time. I see more and more people recommend the 2 year drain and re-fill of the system of new 134 and oil.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

I do not recommend switching to 134a. I did it on my 300SD a couple of years back and hated the performance. This coming summer, I am putting a new compressor on and switching back to R-12. More expensive freon= better cooling, less expensive freon=insufficient cooling--especially in a Mercedes.


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9 (SOLD)
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8