What is the best way to remove the AC manifold pipe - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MVK · #1 07-25-2003, 07:36 PM

Hi Folks:
What is the best way to remove the AC manifold pipe that attaches to the compressor. The connection near the FI pump on the right side facing the engine looks like a trouble due to lack of space. Any special tool? Also what size nut is that?
The connection on left side below the alternator looks easy?

Any thoughts? I need to take the manifold out as its not evenly fitting the New compressor. Tried all combination of seal rings. I was thinking of getting it out and then fit it on the compressor while on the bench. Looks like the manifold face plate on the pipe might be bent a bit( I dont know how?) R3emoving will make it easy to take it to the repair shop and get it fixed on the compressor and then attach the whole assemble to the car.( MB disk tells you to do it this way anyway?)

Any thoughts. I am desperate.
Thanks
MVK

MVK · #2 07-25-2003, 10:03 PM

Anybody please!!!

mvk

engatwork · #3 07-26-2003, 08:27 AM

MVK - I started to respond to this question last night but was hesitant because of not being 99% certain. Based on the last time I pulled a compressor it seems there are two fasteners that hold the manifold on. One is right between the "pipes" at the compressor and the other is on the side of the drivers side of the compressor. You should be able to get to both of them from underneath the front drivers side. I vaguely seem to remember them as being around 15 mm or smaller. You can use a socket on the one between the "pipes". I flat don't remember all that has to be removed/taken off to pull the manifold hose from the front and passenger side of the engine. You should be able to trace that all out. Are you planning on pulling the compressor too? I suspect it will make the job easier. Also, if you don't pull the compressor and have another one you are going to try to "match" up with the manifold after it is out of the car keep in mind that the connections on the compressors may be different.

#4 07-27-2003, 09:54 AM

MVK,

It just occurred to me that I wonder if your problem is that the rebuilt compressor is English instead of metric. By this I mean the bolt hole between the two line connections on the manifold is for a metric bolt for an MB, but if it was the same compressor destined for a Chevy it would have an English bolt hole. If so, it would be pretty easy to cross thread the bolt, thus offsetting the sealing surfaces out of position, preventing proper sealing.

Additionally, you will have to get UNDER the car as Jim pointed out to access the manifold. You can't get at it from the top.

Get the compressor in position and then get the manifold center bolt started and the bolt through the manifold tab. Tighten both of these in position before tightening the strain relief bolts on the lines.

Hope this helps,

MVK · #5 08-02-2003, 10:39 AM

Thanks Jim and Larry:
SOrry for the delay in reply as I was on vacation with family in my other car. Well the New compressor is fine threads are ok. I think the manifold end of the pipe looks uneven. So what I wanted to do was to get that piece of manifold pipe out and then fit it on the compressor when on bench and check for the leak and cause of the leak aroun d the seal ring.

My Q is how do I get that manifold piece completely out of the car. One connection to break is at high pressure port and the other is also traceable but the pipe fittings are too large.

MVK

MVK · #6 08-03-2003, 07:35 PM

Anyone Please

engatwork · #7 08-03-2003, 08:37 PM

Taking a long time to answer because the only thing I can come up with makes it a pretty good diy'er type of job. If I were in your shoes I would pull the compressor off and perform a thorough inspection of the manifold connection area with a really bright light and make sure I needed to pull that manifold. It is a pretty easy job with the cylinder head, intake, exh manifolds and radiator out of the way.

MVK · #8 08-03-2003, 09:22 PM

Thanks Jim:
I am going to do that tomorrow. I am just not getting a good seal on suction side of the port. Got few different size seal rings will try to see how it goes, if not I will have no choice but to get the manifold out. Though like you said thats the last resort for me.

Will keep you posted thru this post. Thanks again.

MVK