I need to get my ac going better in my 86 420sel, car has 133k with good service history and very clean. This is my daily and the AC is now far below acceptable. I have done some fooling around based on searching but here is what I have.

I can hear the compressor kicking on, it is making some noise, more noise that normal I should say which leads me to think low oil/freon. The out line is cool but not cold cold like a properly operating line would be.

I have some R12 and my knee jerk is to just add some refrigerant but there must be some prob right. I mean it is a mercedes. So if I do just add some refrigerant which is what I want to do, how do I get the lube oil in? I only have two cans of R12 so I don't want to waste it.

I guess I am debating the bandaid v. emptying it out, cleaning the lines and replacing the exp valve and drier and paying someone to do a vac test and recharge. I know you guys will tell me to do it right, but can I get the cheat code as well?

Thanks.

Doug

__________________
1981 300TD
2005 C55
2004 E500
1999 ML430
1992 400E
1998 C43
2001 SL500
1988 300SEL
1986 190E 16V
1991 190E 2.6