I just got the report from my Air Conditioning shop. The compressor is spinning away like it should, but the pressures are about 75psi on both sides of the compressor.

Early 1987 300D (sold on the lot in October of 1986)
I don't think there has ever been R134a in the system. No records of it and I am contacting the PO now.
I had it charged with Freeze 12 last year. I don't know if they also added oil when they added the freon. (I just read about the lack of a sump in the MB set up and the need to add oil when you add freon.)

My gut reaction after reading up on the forum is that the compressor siezed and crapped up the condenser and expansion valve. I think I need a flush, a new compressor, condenser, expansion valve, receiver-dryer, and new o-rings all around.

The AC guy suggested a new expansion valve to start with and try it from there.

Any ideas?

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

At first thought I'm inclined to think the TXV is actually stuck open.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

TXV - Thermal eXpansion Valve (aka expansion valve)?

That was what my AC guy suggested.

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

OK, it wasn't the expansion valve. I changed it and the receiver dryer. It was not holding a good vacuum. (Lost 7psi in 15 minutes.) He shot soaped everything up and shot some freon to it. Everything looked great from above. From below there was oil and bubble coming from the clutch side of the compressor. Looks like I need a new compressor.

Any suggestions on where to find one? When I try to look it up it askes which engine I have:
12-023875 or the 12-023876

I have a 1987 300D. I don't have the VIN handy right now, but it was sold in October of 1986, so it is an early model.

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

I just replaced the compressor on my 89 300E last weekend and I buy virtually all of my parts from The Benz Bin. I paid $342 approx. and I could store meat in the car now ! I have never gotten a bad part from the bin and just placed another order today.

I've had the best luck w/ Benz reman compressors. Some of the aftermarket bits didn't hold up well..

Just my 2!

Jonathan

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Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
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Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
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Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta

Well, the good news is that your compressor is not seized. It sounds like the compressor seal is leaking. Why can't the shop just replace the seal. This used to be common failures and repairs.

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

Could it really be that simple? Are they the seals that are included in the o-ring kit? (Rectangular, segmented seals)

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

No, those are for the head plate you have to transfer from your old compressor, and the hose connections.

Denso Compressors

http://www.densoproducts.com/resultsApp.asp?AAIA=1193802&productCategoryID=5

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

It's not an AC shop. It is my general mechanic, who also does AC work. I'm sure he's not comfortable cracking open a compressor.

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

The seals come out the front, can be done with the compressor on the car. Common failure.

I'd check around for a Benz shop (or Toyota, it's a Nippondenso compressor) and find someone to change the seals for you, it's much cheaper than a new compressor, and likely nothing else is wrong.

however, given that there was no pressure differential and the compressor was running, it may be toast, I cannot imagine what beside a broken shaft would do that (and on a Benz, the Klima will kick out under those conditions as the speed sensor is on the tail end of the shaft).

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can find something in any of these areas:
Huntsville, AL
Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN

If anyone knows of a good shop in any of these areas please let me know.

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.