AC oil ?

[DMITRY]

I had posted a question erlier about a leek of some weird smeling liquid erlier. One of the replys was:

"I had a recent problem with an odd-smelling fluid leak which, unfortunately, turned out to be AC oil. My evaporator sprung a leak, and oil dripped out from the condensate drain."

Where would this be leeking from (front or rear of the engine)? How would I chek the level of this liquid and what are the consecuenses of this oil leaking out?



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Dmitry
90' 300CE
17" Lorinsers RS90
Brulen mufler
Clear Blinkers

[MB STARS]

If your A\C oil leaking from evaporator you will see oil coming out at water tube locate left & right side of trans,the best way check evaporator is remove wiper motor,covers
blower motor. hope this help

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MB STARS Master Guild Technician,12 years MB tech
6 years independent shop owner

Hi, I'm the one who posted the AC problem. In my case, the evaporator (the INSIDE) part blew out and refrigerant oil leaked through the condensate drain (where water usually drains from the evaporator). The leak was accompanied by an acrid smell INSIDE the car coming from the AC vents, so if the AC is working OK , you don't likely have an evaporator leak. There is no easy way to check the level . . .

[J.HIDALGO]

The easiest and most accurate, and probably the cheapest, way to check an AC is have a AC tech add a fluorencent dye in the AC system. If you see it in the leak, your evaporator is kaput!get ready for big bucks$$$
If is a regular water leak, NAPA sells a fluorencent dye that you can add to the regular supply. Drive it for a while and then check with a black light for leaks. I don't know what the MB techs have to say about it.
Good luck!

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J.H.
'86 300E

[DMITRY]

Sounds like this is just it !
The leek is under the transmission area.
Sometimes it leeks , some times it doesnt.
I noticed that there is a chirping sound that comes from the center of the dashboard behind the center vents. What is going to happen? Will I be able to drive? Is just AC out of order or the hole climate system?



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Dmitry
90' 300CE
17" Lorinsers RS90
Brulen mufler
Clear Blinkers

[J.HIDALGO]

If you know, for sure, you have an AC leak repair it as soon as possible. The car will be drivable but, do not use the AC. Most people, including me, like to use the AC until it does not work any more. BIG MISTAKE! Not only you will have to change you evaporator but, your compressor as well. On the other hand, you may want to considering converting to r-134 and check all the rest of components at the same time i.e. vacuum actuators, since the dash has to come out. Do a search on the subject on the upper right corner on AC related items.
Sorry about the bad news! Believe me, I know the feeling.
P.S. Unfortunately, if you are low on freon, your auxiliary fan will not work until it hits 115 degrees?. Check your aux. fan and engine temperature, specially at idle.
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J.H.
'86 300E

[This message has been edited by J.HIDALGO (edited 10-12-2000).]