Stockdad,
concerning this quote :
"and this conflicting information is rather maddening."

What information do you (still ) consider conflicting ?
Perhaps we can direct you to outside sources which you will trust.

All along Diesel Giant has said that R12 is best.... that he would have used it if he had still had some in his tank.... so really we are not talking about which is best... only how high or low he set the bar with regards to abandoning the R12 and slapping in something he could get hold of easier...

That's rediculous. That's like saying the purpose of a drivers test is to make it difficult to get a drivers license.

You obviously didn't take the test and prefer to "challenge" your self in different ways to break the law and obtain refrigerants illegally.

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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LMAO. I took the test and read the regulations but I filtered them with common sense. Insults are unbecoming and actually it should be more difficult to get a license and if the fed was serious about the environment it would be more of a challenge to get a 609 certification or drivers license.

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

I have taken all sorts of State and Federal tests in my life... almost all of them are designed to make sure the person can READ and understand the INSTRUCTIONS (typically on the side of the can)... for instance...
This is more to make sure if they catch you violating the rules you have no excuse for not having followed them.

The idea that an OPEN BOOK TEST is designed to impede anyone is really funny...

Quite right but if they were serious about these regulations they would have restricted it to licensed/accredited mechanics.

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

I want to stop the flame wars. I just wanted to make this point that almost anyone who does a DYI a/c job is probably in technical violation of a 609 rule. Just like anyone who fills out their taxes may make a minor mistake and violate IRS code. I do not advocate illegal venting of refrigerant(especially r-12). Even though I don't buy all the science I would take it to a pro to be recaptured.

The EPA is not going to come after you if you have the wrong connections on your A/C system. However a garage could sue you or report you to the US Attorney if he evacuates the system and you contaminate his recovery equipment.

Always be safe and always use common sense! That is all I have to say

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Welll....If you have soooo much common sense why are you reading threads titled "Pictorial on how to fix your A/C system and get 38 degrees at vent!"

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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I hate to put you on my ignore list. I may miss it if you add something valuable to the discussion but such is life. *sigh* My apologies. His comments speak for himself. Apparently he does not understand that thermodynamic systems are less common sense then law.

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Well laws should be common sense.

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Hey guys, I'm just trying to sort all this stuff out. My new 82 300D *has* AC, but I'm not sure if the compressor is actually working. Furthermore, though the engine does seem to 'bog' down when I engage the AC, the air is, decidely, not cool. I'm at a point where I'm not sure what coolant was used, so I'm trying to glean enough information here to do it myself the correct way. In no way am I questioning anyone's intent, education, qualifications, etc.-I appreciate ALL of your comments. I just want want to do it the 'right' way.
Btw, I 'spose I could be catagorized as one of those 'tree huggers' that believes in the proper disposal of hazardous/toxic/nasty liquids.
Thanks for putting up with an excited, yet frustrated, MB noob.

__________________
1982 Silver 300DT

Ok I'll stop the flame wars. Even though it is a lot of fun.
I hope noone actually took anything I said seriously.
That would be the saddest part of all!

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
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Tree huggers are cool as long as they aren't bitter A completely proper job is not possible without professional expensive tools or a professional shop to help you.

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Hey Diesel JIm you there??

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

"anyone's intent, education, qualifications, etc.-I appreciate ALL of your comments. I just want want to do it the 'right' way."

I did not take it that you were calling into question those things... on any site you are new to ...or the subject is new.... the typing on the screen pretty much looks the same no matter who types it... it is often hard to figure out who deserves to be believed ( sometimes I don't believe myself ).... and then sometimes even those people have small gaps with respect to certain subjects...

If you will state as close as you can what you don't feel is ' answered' we will try to fix that....

I have been mechanicing about 35 years... I remember how hard it was before the Internet to get information.... maybe now the pendulum has swung the other way... and Too Much Information is available... ( just kidding)... more facts, better decisions....

Well, the compressor on my '85 is out, and my system is in need of repair. I have a digital camera and could take extensive pictures of anyone willing to help me with the project!

__________________
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