AC Retrofit
 

1. Anyone know the proper steps that need to be taken to
retrofit the AC system on a 87 300 SDL.

2. Does anyone know a qualified person in Atlanta who can do this work.

The owners of this site. MB Autowerks

Yes MBAutowerks would definitely be your safe bet.

There are a number of reasons for NOT convert this car to 134. These are really bad candidates, not only do they have marginal cooling capacity which will really show up in Hotlanta, but also the evaporator has copper components. The oil and 134 combine to make an element that will corrode copper.

R12 would be a small percentage of your repair, just stay with it and you will be much happier.

Good luck,

Thanks for everyones help. The problem I've run into is all the freon has leaked out of the system and I'm being told that I have not choice but to do the retrofit.

You always have the choice of R12 or 134. As LarryBible said there's a lot of support on this forum for staying with R12. I would second the recommendation to talk with MB Autowerks or find another good MBZ independent. The only issue in my mind is the added cost of R12, but if the goal is the best AC cooling remember the system in your car was designed for R12.

Typically, repairing a leak and recharging with R12 costs less than a PROPERLY DONE retrofit.

Good luck,

Update on status of car
 

Just wanted to let everyone know that I took your advice and talked to the folks at MB Autowerks. Let me tell you in the 10+ years I have owned a Mercedes I have never seen a shop like the one MB Autowerks has. The place is spotless. They did an excellent job on the car and got it back to me as promissed. Their wasn't a single oil mark inside or outside of the car and they even washed it for me. I would highly recommend them to anyone living in the Atlanta area needing any type of work done on their car. :)

Just for anyone who maybe wondering the problem with the car, turns out the condensor was leaking, compressor seals were blown out (no thanks to the first garage who butchered my car), 2 lines were cracked and refrigerent bottle had to be replaced.

And is it charged with R12 or R134A?

It is charged with R12, sorry I should have mentioned that.

See! I knew it! All we had to do was steer you to the right people and they would tell you not to put R134a in it. Glad you had such a great experience. Sure would be nice if we all had such great shops in our home town.

I will start a petition that will reqire MB Autowerks to open an outpost shop in Paris, Texas.:D

Have a great day,