It will be fixed on Monday, I hope they found all that needs to be repaired.

Well the dealer found bubbles in my R134 coolant and they told me I need a new expansion valve and a new receiver dryer. The cost is going to be about $600. I told the dealer representative that I was glad they found the problem and I was glad it wasn’t the evaporator. He quickly chimed in that he thinks of an "older" air conditioning system like a leaky hose. He says after you fix one leak you often have a leak spring up somewhere else because the seals and gaskets are "old" and just give up after time.

It is funny to hear someone say my car is old. I still think of my 1995 E320 as a new car. It is just such a beautiful and impressive automobile. It is much nicer than the loaner 2003 ML and it just doesn’t seem old to me. I told him that my car really isn’t old for a Mercedes, but then again he does work with brand new cars all day long.

So I suppose the dealer will do good job of installing the new parts, pulling a vacuum on the system, and charging with the appropriate amount of coolant. I sure hope the evaporator doesn’t go too soon and that I have a couple years of nice cold air blowing from my vents. I read that it is good to vacuum and recharge the system every three years, if you think it needs it or not, just to avoid repairs that arise from running the system with less than adequate coolant and to be sure to avoid moisture in the system. Perhaps recharging every three years will help me avoid the costly evaporator repair.

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I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/

Bubbles in a 134a system do NOT necessarily spell a need for parts. Bubbles are normal in a 134a system.

Dealer cost for R/D and TXV valve ~$160
FastLane less than 1/2 that. 134a is cheap. `$440 buys a lot of very skilled labor. They better fix it right the first time for that fee, if they are claiming R/D and TVX is the cause. I would insure that they did/do a VERY thorough leak testing!!

Do NOT do a routine service of recovery/vacuum/recharge on a working A/C system. (assuming no problems). Opening an A/C system is what can CAUSE the problems. I have NEVER heard of (and I've been around) a routine recovery/recharge every three years (say: "revenue generator").

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)