1. My AC isn't working in my recently bought 83 240D. Before recharging, I was wondering Freon 12 is so expensive, why not convert over to CFC134a? Are there kits to do that?

2. My 83 Volvo I bought with 171000 miles on it has AC like brand new. I don't know history of the Volvo but I assume its the original AC. Since the Mercedes I bought at a gas station appears to have been well kept by the dealer (M-B filters found on car) should AC, though empty, be okay for recharge if it holds a vacuum? (Freon12 is expensive!)

This system should be checked over first by a tech who knows 240's..The reason is that there are specific places the freon likes to escape on the 240, but not all do leak in these places. If the system is empty, it does have a leak somewhere or how did the freon escape? Also if the leak is isolated and you are going to make repairs, then it is a good time to convert to 134-a.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Manual A/C in 240D cools very well. Had an independent A/C mechanic fill it with R12 and it worked as new(very cold air). But there was a small leak and the Freon slowly leaked. When I took the car to another mechanic to fix the leak he filled it with R134. It doesn't cool as well. The A/C mechanic told me MB's that originally came with Freon work better with Freon and that's why he stocks it for MB's only. If the system is working properly and has no leaks a fill up with Freon should last a long time. I guess it also depends on where you live. Where I live it gets pretty hot and the A/C better be working to its full capacity.