My wife was putting the car into the garage this evening. I had installed a jump cable on the dryer temp switch to make the aux fan run continuously, so the car was sitting in the driveway.
She pulled the car about 1/2 way into the garage and realized the AC was off. She turned it on and the AC compressor belt squealed and the engine quit. Told her to try starting it and it really did not want to. Turned off the AC and it fired up. Pulled it into the garage and then I started it with the AC off. Reved it up to 2000 RPM and turned on the AC, she didn't like that.
The compressor is toast. I still have the compressor I took off almost 2 years ago. It had not failed. I'll open the system and see if the compressor seized or spit trash into the system. I'll have to flush the high pressure hose and see what comes out. If it is clean ( I hope I hope) then I'll install the other compressor and flush the lines, install a new dryer and see whats up.
Just one of those summer days in Texas. Really start putting a load on the AC and that is when its going to quit on you.

It is a little upsetting that I went through the entire rebuild and the compressor craps out after 1.5 years. it was not a rebuilt It was brand new. But I wonder if the oil lube hole theory applied to this compressor.

This post

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=908382&posted=1#post908382

Discusses the the oil port issue. I will look at both units and let you know what I find. The new unit (1.5 years old and not a rebuilt) was purchased from ACKITS.com. The old unit was installed at the dealer in 1995 and was a "Mercedes" unit.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I doubt it will make you feel any better, but the exact same thing happened to me when I owned the W123. Spent about $800. getting the system running properly at the indy including a new compressor and expansion valve and dryer.
System flushed properly.

It lasted two years and the compressor seized. Had to spend another $700. all over again at another indy.

First indy commented that they sometimes do not do so well because of the lack of lubrication due to their orientation. I wonder if the front plate position has something to do with this???

i am wondering about conversions for the 123s to anything other than the original delco. a more modern japanese compressor sounds attractive... any body know of a setup like that?

vintage air has a conversion plate to replace the old york compressors with a modern japanese one.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Hey Dave,
I was driving in Colleyville today without AC. Wow it was hot today. I was getting 4 white hubcaps at Don's place, and also an IP shutoff valve. My AC compressor is also seized, and the pulley is cracked. I'm trying to decide which way to go with the AC also. I don't know AC work, so will have to have someone do it. Ouch$$$

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

The "Black Death" sucks.
If you have R-12 you can flush the condenser. If you converted to 134A then the condenser should be replaced.

The reason is the R-12 condenser is a single pass while the 134 compressor is a multi-pass and usually will not flush properly.

If you keep having trouble you may want to consider an in-line filter.

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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If Black Death has happened to your last compressor the MB AC FSM says the metal manifold at the compressor must be replaced.... that it is not flushable...

I do think that flushing the condensor should be done out of the car so that gravity can be neutralized by turning it around during the process...for larger particles....

I wonder if anyone is able to do an ' autopsy ' on siezed compressors ?