How much you are willing to spend to fix the A/C on a 20+ year MBZ - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jerry Cohen · #1 05-03-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I run my cars on the cheap but they are all in tip top conditions relative to their ages.

Facts:

1) I use 99c power steering fluid from 99 cents store. So what wrong with that.
2) I use 99c engine oil from 99cents store, So what wrong with that.
3) I recharge R134a for $7 a can with a hose, so what wrong with that.
4) R134a is discharged to the atmosphere everyday some time some where by some body. It does not make venting right and one should avoid that.
5) Safety is always my main concern and I always wear safety google and gloves when I work on my cars.

I will read and seek ideas from members to maintain my fleets of MBZ, good or bad.

What you do is your own business and right. When you post dangerous advice the pro's and semi-pro forum members are going to call you on it.

I'm not going to waste my time defending accepted industry practices and regulations, but please don't claim to be succesfull at doing a/c repair when you don't even use a set of guages and simply charge the low side from a can. Thank God R143a fittings are different sizes, so people won't blow the can up.

Using .99 oil in a MB isn't a real good idea. You probably haven't heard of the issues M116 and M117 motors have with valvetrain wear since you own diesels.

Cr from Texas · #2 05-03-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Cohen

What you do is your own business and right. When you post dangerous advice the pro's and semi-pro forum members are going to call you on it.

I'm not going to waste my time defending accepted industry practices and regulations, but please don't claim to be succesfull at doing a/c repair when you don't even use a set of guages and simply charge the low side from a can. Thank God R143a fittings are different sizes, so people won't blow the can up.

Using .99 oil in a MB isn't a real good idea. You probably haven't heard of the issues M116 and M117 motors have with valvetrain wear since you own diesels.

It has been clear for several months that there are two types of people visiting this forum:
1. People that really appreciate and love these cars and try to keep them in good shape. Many of us could probably afford to drive a newer model but like the simplicity and DIY options of the older Benz.
2. People on a tight budget that buy these classics cheap. Then try to keep them running cheap until they totally trash a fine car.

Unfortunately, the second group seems to be growing faster and taking over the forum. A lot of bad advice is mixed in with the good. I'm looking for a new forum home dominated by the first group.

pawoSD · #3 05-04-2009, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

It has been clear for several months that there are two types of people visiting this forum:
1. People that really appreciate and love these cars and try to keep them in good shape. Many of us could probably afford to drive a newer model but like the simplicity and DIY options of the older Benz.
2. People on a tight budget that buy these classics cheap. Then try to keep them running cheap until they totally trash a fine car.

Unfortunately, the second group seems to be growing faster and taking over the forum. A lot of bad advice is mixed in with the good. I'm looking for a new forum home dominated by the first group.

I don't think you've got it....I've been here 4x as long as you and I don't see this happening. I see a lot of new members that need some help, but there's nothing wrong with that.

I highly doubt that "most" people here can afford to drive a new MB...quite a lot, sure....but not "most". I certainly couldn't. I can only afford to keep my two older examples in decent shape....its a constant battle in this climate that I'll eventually lose....but I'll try to as long as possible.

The "2" people are pretty much the "quickie WVO" crowd.

From what I have seen, most users here that have or do not have a lot of $$ do appreciate and try to take car of their cars. I certainly do.

I don't fix things I don't need. In MI A/C isn't really even an issue aside from 3-4 months of the year. I'm not going to waste time and $$ keeping the A/C working perfect for the 25ish days a year I might (enjoy) having it. That'd be pretty expensive on a $-per-use basis. Usually having a window down or the sunroof open is plenty.

JimmyL · #4 05-04-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

It has been clear for several months that there are two types of people visiting this forum:
1. People that really appreciate and love these cars and try to keep them in good shape. Many of us could probably afford to drive a newer model but like the simplicity and DIY options of the older Benz.
2. People on a tight budget that buy these classics cheap. Then try to keep them running cheap until they totally trash a fine car.

Unfortunately, the second group seems to be growing faster and taking over the forum. A lot of bad advice is mixed in with the good. I'm looking for a new forum home dominated by the first group.

Just because you came up with these two generalizations certainly doesn't mean that your opinions are all-encompassing, or even accurate. There are certainly folks that are in the two camps you mentioned, but that certainly isn't the only 2 options. Not sure either of those are even dominate.
If you want to take your toys and go play somewhere else, the net offers you that option. Not sure why folks always want to make that a big announcement.
Go hang out at Benzworld for awhile if you want to get a snootfull of irritation......
And watch out, you sound a little like our obnoxious forum elitist. You certainly don't want that CR......

**edit**
Actually, I think option #1 is probably the dominate forum member. There are just different levels of expenditure ability