New A/C compressor, what do I look for??
 

I have read , but now can not find it, about some kind of good and bad kind of A/C compressor for my 85' 300D. Can someone help me out with this, I plan to pick one up today.

MAke sure it has a good warranty, like a year or more, and that the ports on tha back are not stepped. They should be evenly flat. I bought a re-man from O'Reilly last year. Has a one year warranty.

It uses an R4 style compressor. Usually it was fited to GM cars. The replacement in mine I put in last year is a Delphi.

Here's new FWIW

http://www.ackits.net/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=15-20206

Performance Products......
 

Performance Products sells new OEM AC compressors....if you read their warranty info.....if you purchase an AC compressor, and an Expansion Valve, and a Receiver Drier from them at the same time....they will warranty theirs for 2 years......I think the total of all parts is $310.00 the last time I looked.....a couple of weeks ago I phoned them and was checking up on the warranty......I intend to get one when my Tax return comes back......and they offered me 10% off.....so it would probably work out about the same as free shipping.....

SB

I can not picture what you mean by stepped ports. The only thing I am thinking is an outter size reduction(stepped down) of the ports for the hose fittings?? Why does that make a differance?

The orifice on the back of some compressors is indented, rather than flat as with the original. This requires the use of sealing gasket discs in order to mate with the original manifold. The problem that some (including me) experienced, is that some kits didn't include the proper gasket disc for our MBs. I ending up ordering the disc from NAPA. I understand that most of the kits that ship now have the right discs I think one is green, and the other - the one I had to order - is yellow/brass colored. Once installed correctly, no problem.

BTW, on your original question, avoid Four Seasons compressors, or any remanufactured one.