Regarding your cut hose, was it actually leaking refrigerant/ oil? Those Mercedes hoses are thick and tough, a surface cut likely will not cause a leak and still be serviceable. On the suction side, the hose sees pressures of 15 to 30 psi running, 60 to 80 psi when off. On the discharge side, the hose sees 150 to 250 psi running and 60 to 80 psi off.

What I found with pressure testing my AC hoses (all original) in my 85 was that none of them leaked. The only parts I found to have issues were the black o-rings, they must be the original Neoprene o-rings, which are in sad shape ....... some did not look like 0-rings anymore. There were some green o-rings (HNBR) in the TXV and receiver/ dryer which are in good condition, they were installed when the system was converted to R134a.

I have quite a few old AC hoses I pulled off an 83 240D and 81 300D. I will pressure test those when I am finished with the AC in my 85 and see if any of them leak.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 167,870 July 2025
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked