Can this car's air conditioning be changed from freon 12 to a more environmentally friendly and cheaper gas?

There is a large amount of opinion as to whether or not this makes sense. You might want to do a search on "AC" or "R134."

The short answer is that it can be done by changing the expansion valve, drier bottle, and two sensors. Then a good flush, evac, and charge. If your system has been damaged, you may encounter other problems.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck, sounds like it would be cost prohibitive. Ill just recharge system and pay the $70.00 per pound and leave it like that.

As long as the system is intact, not leaking and working there is no reason to alter the system. Everything worked on mine last year, but wouldn't cool. $50.00 worth of R-12 had me putting out 41F at the center vents and the steering wheel would be too cold to hold between the office and the house.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Mike,
This has nothing to do with AC, although I have converted two of my MBs to the R134a and with very good results. What I'm writing about is that I always see you listing your 1973 280SEL-4.5 as one of 8,173 built between May 1971 and Nov. 1972 and sold on the East coast for $10,875 and on the West coast for $10,885. You probably know all of this, but thought I would post it for everybody else to see. I know you must love your rare Mercedes.
The oldest Mercedes I ever owned was a 1949 170V.
The rarest I ever owned was a 1968 250SL. Only two were made that year.
I won't bother to list all the Mercedes I have owned over the last 34 years. Let's say I've owned a few.
Bill Lewallen Lexington,Ky. Home of Jiff Peanut Butter.