I've discussed my A/C woes on here in a few different threads. To recap, the A/C has not worked since at least the A/C season of 2004 (PO said it never worked in the 2 years he owned it). I purchased it in spring 2007 and started troubleshooting it about a month ago.

Here is what is known:
R134a conversion sticker from 2001.
Compressor manufacture date 2000. It is a Four Seasons. Thus can safely assume it was new during the retrofit.
Expansion valve appears newer and am assuming it was new at the same time.
Compressor works. I ran a jumper wire and it spun freely for a few seconds.
No pressure on manifold gauges due to no refrigerant in system due to a leak in the condenser.

I found the leak in the condenser by adding R134a to the system. Within a minute I heard a hissing coming from the front of the car. Found it to be the condenser. In my 300SD both condenser connections are on the driver side. The leak is coming from the passenger side, thus it must be the condenser itself.

I am going to replace the condenser next. I can't find a used one locally, thus I will be purchasing a new one. Since parallel flow condensers cost much less than new OEM condensers and are more efficient I have decided to purchase a parallel flow one.

From this http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=125861&highlight=ackits.com
it seems other SD owners went with a 24.75 x 15.5. I'm having trouble finding one with these dimensions.

I checked ackits http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=01&Category_Code=Parallel
and found one at 24 x 14 for $108.

acsource has a 26 x 14 for $102. http://www.acsource.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=212

Found one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370049536803&ih=024&category=33547
at 24 x 14 for $90.

Assuming they all are the same buying the one on ebay would be the cheapest. I plan on buying the mounting kit from acsource on the link above. It is only $5 and would save me a lot of hassle of running back and forth to the store. I would also buy some new o-rings from somewhere.

Question about the fittings. Reading through the thread I linked, it seems I need a #8 fitting to a #10 hose. The bottom fitting is a #6 fitting to a #8 hose. Where can I buy these? I've been told to find a hydralics shop to make the hose, but I would assume they wouldn't have the fittings itself?


Now after I get the condenser in, I plan on flushing the rest of the system. Putting in a new reciever/dryer from ********az here http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=swaisn45ylh3wd45uw4z1h45&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1194038@300SD&year=1984&cid=24@AC%20%26%20Heat%20-%20Climate%20Control&gid=6972@Receiver%20Drier/Accumulator

If I flush everything, I will need to add oil to the system, correct? How will I add oil to the compressor if I don't take it off? What oil should I use?

Then I will rent/borrow a vacuum pump. Then put r134a back in and see how it performs!

PS- I live in MN and don't need absolute maximum cooling. I just want to get the dang system working!

So any advice on the condenser?
How about the custom hoses?
How about flushing the system?
Advice about the oil in the compressor?

Thanks!
-Ryan