a/c blows nothing but hot air, 1980 300sd - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mplafleur · #46 07-17-2006, 06:42 PM

That sight glass is a small glass (~3/8") diameter glass viewing window into the A/C charge. It may be very dirty, so take a q-tip and clean it off. It should not show any bubbles passing by while the A/C compressor is engaged.

I'm very sorry to hear of your husband. 48 is certainly way too young. I lost my mom last year to lung cancer. She knew, she just didn't want to do anything about it.

topanga · #47 07-17-2006, 07:14 PM

ok, so here's where I am now:

first, michael and riethoven, really sorry for your losses. It helps to know we all share this unwelcome change, though I wish none of us had to. It's a gift, but a terribly expensive one.

I am back from two plus hours at the garage. I went up there because I wanted a second opinion about where to cut the hose. When I told the mechanic what I was going to do, he asked me to let them do it, so we talked about how we wanted to end up, agreed we wouldn't mind undoing anything come the cold weather, and started in.

He bypassed the cabin altogether and joined the heater hose together. Easily undone in winter. Then he looked at the a/c and it was frothing like crazy. He tested and charged it, took out quite a bit of air, and checked the pressure.

Persistent high pressure was baffling, and he looked into a lot of stuff before realizing the aux fan in front of the radiator isn't working. Right then, an MB mechanic curious about what we were doing drove by and stopped. He says he has the fan part from a salvage, which is great news for me.

I am fairly happy about this turn of events because I think if I had rigged my monovalve, I might have blown up my a/c compressor right off the bat.

The guest mechanic then accepted an invitation to open the &$*#$&#*( flaps. He pulled and pulled and said "this one," and drove off. My mechanic ripped open the areas to get to the flap assembly, and we were flooded with so much cool air, he said "you know what? Let's just open this area up" so we removed the foot well covers. Now there is a fair amount of cold air freely circulating, cold air coming from the side vents, and one happy driver.

Still to do:
buy and install new fan
buy and install passenger window regulator
put dash back together

I'm not going to go wacky with the a/c till the fan is fixed but I can't help being SO HAPPY. Like, REALLY REALLY happy.

I'm so glad even when it is something like the evil Servo, it can be tricked into working. I really just love these cars.

So far so good? It helped a lot to know what to ask about. Last year, this same mechanic quoted me $600. I got off today for $130, probably another $200 to come. That savings means A LOT to me.

rs899 · #48 07-17-2006, 07:21 PM

topanga-

Hoorah! I am envious (sweating in FL- all our compressors are kaput). But...you still don't have a monovalve and won't get one until you get a W123 or W126.

Rick

pj67coll · #49 07-17-2006, 07:28 PM

Topanga. I've been reading this thread without comment as I dont own a 116 but a 123 and so couldnt be of any help. But I must say I commend you for sticking with it. Believe it or not you are in a way better position that some others might be right now. For example myself. I live in Phoenix AZ and in the last few weeks with temperatures in the 115 area I've been driving my 240D without AC and without even a regular fan and with the whole center console pulled to bits. My AC has been all four windows all the way down and try to drive early in the morning and later in the evening.

I'm sorry for your loss and I understand your desire to maintain the 300SD in memory of your husband. I also think you are lucky that it's a Mercedes and thus has this forum for you to fall back on. Also I might add. The 116 series is one of the nicest Mercedes ever. I would love to get another good one again. I hope you can keep yours going for many more years to come. Remember. Whever you feel like you are being ripped off, come and ask here first.

- Peter.

topanga · #50 07-17-2006, 08:45 PM

I should have put "monovalve," meaning my FAKE monovalve. I love the idea of manualizing and would LOVE to put a manual ascending ratchet in the window instead of an electric regulator.

There's a lot to be learned from discussions of the different models even if the issue isn't with your particular class, I think. The 116 has its pecularities but I like the way even off-topic things lead to good solutions.

I feel really, really lucky to have (almost) licked this problem. I could be MUCH further away from success. If you only knew how desperate I was out there armed with a screwdriver Sunday morning, or even in here armed with a keyboard. I just couldn't take the heat anymore, and it was compounded by only having one working window (well, two, but on the same side). I suffered with this all last summer, including an 11-hour each way roundtrip drive to Canada. Don't really know how I stood it. This year, I just wasn't going to take it anymore. Not to get all philosophical, but I think that's when really great things happen, when just won't take no for an answer. Or "no air conditioning" for an answer.

You guys helped break a huge mountain down a lot of small steps. That's so great. A really good way to handle a problem. Plus now there's a nice thread for 116 OR other owners with similar hiccups.

I can totally relate to suffering through the heat and making do with windows. Part of why I didn't make room in my budget for the $600 last year was that I sort of consider a/c a vanity thing, and as long as the windows work, you can make out semi-ok. I wouldn't balk at paying that for an essential component, and knock wood I won't have to for a while. Also, I am mindful that this car was built long before today's comfort standards and will never be the blast chiller today's cars are, so I shouldn't expect it to be one.

topanga · #51 07-17-2006, 08:47 PM

I should add that the guy I am getting the fan from is parting out his gas 116. Anyone want anything? I go there Wednesday to pick up the fan, and I'm getting a headlight surround. he isn't sure about windows but he has trim pieces, electrical -- I'd love to throw him some business.

rs899 · #52 07-17-2006, 09:03 PM

Nothing for me, but thanks for asking. I am a regular at all the local pic n' pull yards so I run across things often enough for these cars, for example, a rebuilt servo. If you get into these cars and you have the time, you can find some great deals on parts.

What color(s) is your car? Mine is Golden Brown (reminscent of fecal matter) with a tobacco interior. Hope you have a better color combo.

topanga · #53 07-17-2006, 09:14 PM

is your paint original? I thought the 80 only came in black, gold and silver. I have the silver, with blue interior. The blue hs resisted fading really nicely, and I don't have very much oxidation on the silver. Someone posted the exact model on a post today seeking advice on buying price. wait .... here http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=158742

that's my exact 300, same whees and all. Well, except my grille is not so immaculate and I have a dent. Wow, looking at that photo makes me really glad I'm getting the headlight surround fixed. I will make getting a new grille a priority, but glow plugs are a higher priority, as are fan and window.

rs899 · #54 07-17-2006, 09:31 PM

Yes, it is the original color, and much of it is the original paint. It is a Socal car (out of Redlands) so no rust. Except that I am watching some small surface spots grow

and I think I am going to bite the bullet and repaint her this winter. Probably a dark blue factory color.

Yes, they had a number of colors other than the ones you mentioned. I have seen them in White, Maple Yellow and Anthracite and there were lots more.

topanga · #55 07-17-2006, 11:13 PM

I thought the maple yellow were all the smaller 81s. Good to know. I always kind of eyeball salvage yards as I drive by, because you never know.

I will have to repaint after I get the dent fixed, but my attachment to the original paint keeps me from fixing the dent.

I just got back -- looking at that guy's photo made me get up and go out and wash the car, and then I felt like taking it for a drive. I really enjoy driving it, and it was a nice peaceful summer lap around.

I've been thinking about the 8 cars... I think polygamy is going to be the best way to go.