I agree, stay away from the PFC, unless you live in AZ, and your car is BLACK, it's not needed. pre 85 123 condensers are weak, and inadequate when dirty, but when clean, the coil will cool well running R12. the 85 is better still. add window tint as dark as is legal, and you will be even cooler in the car.
the PFC condenser has a serious flaw... it cannot be cleaned. WHEN the compressor fails, the coil will need replacement. when it cloggs with debris, cleaning is NIGH impossible... also, and the volume of refrigerant with the PFC is quite low...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

What's the best source for an old style 1985 condenser?

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

a junk yard, pull apart with an 85 in it that has not had a front end collision?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I have seen three '85 MY SDs in the JYs since I have been crawling them in the past ten years for W126 parts. Never seen a W123 '85 MY in the junk yard. I suggested the PF as I would rather pay $225 for a new, drop in unit, than waste an entire day trying to round up a good used one.

Sure, if you live in Minnesota it would be useless. I live in Texas... one of the other gates of Hell in the summer. The early condensers are inadequate down here. This is due to humidity from the gulf AND high temperatures, while Arizona is the desert with high temps only.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Do they make a non-pf condenser that is drop-in sized? I assume there is no aftermarket or OE condenser available?

I'm not keen on junkyard since my car lived in a dry climate where rust and corrosion doesn't really occur, while all the cars around here are corroded and salty.

New all the way... Key is to get one that drops in and connects up properly to OE hoses...

And preferably holds a bit more refrigerant...

Thanks!!

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Yes the 1985 model year cars received a revised condenser. Works very well with R12, provided the system is up to par.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Hey, you just described my situation! Plus the interior is black.

I did do the tint thing though. It actually kind of helped when driving around last summer in 115F with no A/C.

So would you suggest upgrading my condenser when I approach the project?

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

ooooh that is a nice car.....can't believe I haven't noticed it around town.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K