Leaking compressor on an ML320
 

Hey, guys! This is my first post. I saw something last week that I have been wondering about. We had an early (1998, I think) ML (163) with marginal A/C cooling. I performed the evacuate/recharge, which got the A/C cooling again. Only .55/lb was recovered, so I looked for a leak. There was a valve in the bottom of the compressor with refrigerant oil dripping off it. There was (is) a screw in the middle of this valve, which I discovered was loose. The oil/refrigerant was coming out around the screw threads. I didn't tighten the screw because I was worried it may have been an adjustment, and the customer was hanging around hoping I wouldn't be too long. We wound up pricing him the worst case scenario (compressor and drier), but now I'm wondering if that leak could be stopped. So, has anybody else had experience with a leak from that valve? Sorry this is wordy, thanks for reading!

Boy,this is going great! Let me also ask that everyone keep their comments brief and to the point! Limit one response per household, please! :D

Other than tightening that plug, replacement of the compressor will be required as replacemnet parts like that are not available.

Pressure Control Valve...