300SDL:does the evaporator commonly leak?
 

My AC has never worked since I own the car, no charge, no pressure on the system. I don't know if it would hold pressure. I want to get the A/C back to work- R12
I am also planning on exchanging my cracked dash board and replacing all 6 vacuum pods below.
Isn't this a good time to exchange the evaporator? And this make sure I don't have to take the dash out again?
As I don't know if this thing might leak or not-is it premature to exchange the evaporator? What is your experience and recommendation? Martin

I'd say if you are planning to keep the car and, you are pulling the dash far enough to swap the pods, you should go ahead and R&R the evaporator and TXV.

For reference, an evaporator is only $250-$275. The TXV is cheap but, is a gin-yoo-wine PITA to remove and will have you cussing a blue streak before its all done. You will need to acquire the appropriate crowsfoot open end wrenches to accomplish the removal.

Also, be sure to take a picture of how the dash support near the driver's right foot is positioned before removal. If it takes you a month to do the job, I guarantee that you will not remember how it fits in place and it is not intuitive.

Here's my partially done thread on how to R&R the dash on a W126.

DASH

The 126 is not prone to leak like the W124. But with that said if you have the wallet to replace it that would be a good time to do everything you could afford.