Tony:

If you can find R12, that is what was there originally. 134a works fine, just charge only to 85% of capacity and add the minimum amount of ester oil necessary to convert unless you completely flush the system, in which case add the MB recommended amount.

That does look sorta tight in there, but better than my 300D -- had to take off the air filter to turbo hose to get to the thermostat, then replace it "blind" as I can't see through my hands!

Coolant is glycol antifreeze, the stuff in the AC is refrigerant!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!