Drove Peachy down to AAA last week... Parked between 2 newer MB's...


While the car is waiting for the new owner, it's been sitting in the garage...
And I noticed an oil spot under the front drivers side....



And investigation showed a leak in the AC pipe joint there... Pulling out the UV light, I could see evidence of the flourecent dye I put in when I recharged it.


The AC was still blowing cold, but clearly it was and is loosing freon and a little oil...

After discussion with the new owner, I decided upon a course of action, as i have the tools, supplies, and time to fix it before the hand over.

Evacuated the system...


Next I replaced the O ring in the leaking joint with a new HNBR ring.
The old one was hard, and split. It was clear the rest would not be much different.


Running a Vacuum and leaving it overnight, I saw a drop of about 4" in 24 hours... Clearly there are more leaks.

As I had already done the Receiver/Dryer O rings, so it seemed logical to do the rest.

Low side joint was next.





Then the Expansion Valve..


The UV lamp showed signs of leakage here too... you cant see it with the camera..

Pulled it out, and it looked clean, with no signs of clogging or black death that I have seen before.



The O rings on both sides were old, compressed, and brittle.



Replaced.


Front end rings were the same...
Done.




Last one was the this one into the condensor... tricky to get at and photograph!




Again, the original was old and hard.


Done.


The only ones left were on the back of the compressor...
It has to come out to do it... a PITA, but has to be done...


Cleaned it up while it was out.


Replaced the O rings.


So, it all back in, and for the last 48 hours it has been sitting under 30" of vacuum, with no change.

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2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

Pulled a solid 30" of vacuum on it, for 90 mins, then added 1/2" of Dye.


Then I put virgin Freon back in.


At an ambient of 86f....

It's kicking out 53f at the vents at idle...



And at a steady 2000rpm...
About 35f.

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2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

. . . and here Merkey illustrates what a stand-up guy he is. He didn't have to do all that - but it was important to him that when he hands me the keys, the car was as he said it was in the auction description. And how great to have these pics to show some future mechanic?

LOL, well I described the AC as blowing ice cold...
Sometimes its just all about the personal satisfaction!

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2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

You're a good guy Merkey! I wish all sellers were like you.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thanks Sugi,
The truth is that it was not a huge job, altho my Ramp is occupied, so had to do this on the floor...

I discovered some fun things...
1/ If the FSM says take the compressor out... dont waste time, skin and blood trying to figure out a way to do it without taking the compressor out! The pipework is fixed and the compressor comes out!
2/ Putting the Compressor back in is a juggling job with what feels like a 15lb dumbell... with a roller at one end... I have a nice bruise/dent on my forehead when it fell out just far enough to ding me... Ouch.
3/ Before you get the compressor into its place... make sure the 2 upper/outer bolts are in place... because on the 201 chassis, you cant get them in after.... ask me how I know this...
4/ Make sure the O rings are stuck in place and held with some grease.. twice I got it all in and was missing one... Grr... LOL.

If its not fun.... dont try!

I really planned to keep the car, but things change and I think its as bug free as a 22 year old car can be...
I have my fingers and toes crossed!

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2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

35f jesus.. great pics btw

I'm still thinking about the virgin freon....

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My first Mercedes Benz. 4/6/07.

1984 190E (201 024) 2.3L four.

Freon...
It's about the only word attached to Virgin that excites me these days!

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2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

Sigh... I agree.

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My first Mercedes Benz. 4/6/07.

1984 190E (201 024) 2.3L four.

Agreed!! And I wish my 190E was as pristine as his (former).

Merkey, great job on the a/c repair!

You wouldn't mind posting the part numbers for the o-rings? Mine has been sitting for 4 years with no freon in lines. I would like to replace all o-rings before spending $$$ on R12 (I don't have a fancy freon evacuator like yours :-).

Thanks!

Thanks Darom!
Main reason for posting was a for others to know what is involved.

As I posted in the pic, I already had the metric ID 240 piece kit and I think it had all the right O rings...

O-RING KIT (240 COUNT – 8 PIECE ASSORTMENT) ORNG-2 - IDQ USA

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2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

Just a quick update on Peachy: The Magnaflow cat Merkey installed sailed thru a second CA smog test; this was the rolling-under-load test as the law has changed and I had to go to a STAR test station and pass that test. Had a summer full of auxiliary part failures - fan pulley bearing, voltage regulator, battery, belt tensioner & associated parts, smog pump, and coolant pump. All to be expected on a car of this age and mileage (115K). Gave my mechanic all my money in that run of repairs, so after the smog pump replacement, I tackled the coolant pump replacement myself. Wow, what a job. But having sorted that out successfully, I'm feeling pretty confident about doing the valve seals. Rear shocks now also gone but that's easy. After coolant leaks and oil weepage, engine bay is quite grimy and due for a steam cleaning so I can find and nuke the leaks. Still runs smooth enough I'd bet I could balance a quarter on the valve cover. I've driven Peachy daily since adopting her from Merkey; commuting from San Jose to Redwood City, now from San Jose to Scotts Valley. She's treated me very well! Love her to bits.

Good to hear NorCal.

I have one just like her, and I LOOOVE the thing to bits!! Mine's got your equivalent of about 80,000 miles.

I also have a twin cam 3.2L 5sp 190e 2.6, with big brakes and blah blah.... But I always gravitate to my 2.6 auto stocker - as long as wifey doesn't require her!!