AC / Compressor / Belt - Need help on car I'm considering
 

Hi. I am looking at a 1978 240D. Appears to be in pretty good shape, though the owner, whose had it only for a year, claims to have never had a valve adjustment. I thought that was the first thing you do when you take on one of these?

Anyway, the main issue is the AC, which they claim works and blows ice cold. Or, I should say, worked, before "the belt broke." [Edit - they also have said the compressor "works great".] Is there anyway to confirm that the AC works, blow cold, etc, without a belt being installed?

I realize getting a belt on is an inexpensive job, but it would be at my expense to confirm the AC actually works. And of course, would be quite expensive to get the AC up and running if it has the usual servo problems.

Unless you have some other way to turning the compressor replacing the belt is the only way.

I don't do any repair on a car I'm considering buying. If it doesn't work when I drive up, I price as if it needs to be replaced. I'd never try to sell a vehicle with non-working AC if it only needed a belt. Consider it as compressor replacement & recharge at the minimum. It may need more or less. Let the current owner fix it if it is so minor a problem. What else is inoperable?

^ Good advice.

The AC is about the only inoperable part, otherwise it is a good running, pretty clean car. I am in a fix for AC as my wagon has none. The seller was kind of put-off by my wanting it to be checked out, etc., which makes me just want to walk away. Its a good price, but not good enough to take a leap of faith! Plus, even if I do replace the compressor, the belt, have it recharged, any number of other things could come up with the AC, so I think I am going to leave this one alone.

You are correct in your suspicion of this situation. The good news is that these compressors are cheap and it is possible that a car that early has strato flex lines on the a/c which are easily repairable.

With the engine off, you can turn the front most portion of the compressor by hand to see if it turns smoothly with compression resistance or if it feels like a box full of rocks. Also turn the idler to make sure the bearing is tight and smooth.

Even if the compressor and idler feel good, there are no guarantees. As a previous poster pointed out, your only alternative is to price the car assuming that the a/c system is trash.

Also, they could be hiding a serious leak by leaving the belt off.

Proceed with caution. If you are not familiar with MB's you should be aware that many a worn out MB has been bought by a person that was not aware of the cosmetic reliability of these cars. The paint, trim, interior, etc. hold up much better than most other cars. To an unsuspecting person, a car can look as if it is a brand new car, but be worn completely out.

So, price AC complete refurb...compressor, condenser, receiver, R12, labor what else? & deduct from the price. Take cash. Crisp Ben Franklins laid out on t hat expansive hood work wonders. Note to self: Don't lay all of the Bens out at once. 2nd Note to self: Don't take more than you want to spend. 3rd note to self: Don't fall in love.