Aircon W124

[Bosco]

I don't think my aircon is working properly. It never really gets cold. Cool maybe, cold never. It's really needed, my car is dark with black leather seats, yesterday it was 46 when I got into the car. I had to get back out and let air blow through for a while. I have tried four local places and none of them can do it as they say it's an old system a ('91 260E) and they can't recharge the gas. I found one guy miles away who says he will do it for €230. I was a bit stunned to be honest as the standard charge for more modern cars is €59.

Is it really that specialist? Or am I just being ripped off? Could I approach an AC engineer, there's one at the top of my road, or would he just laugh at the suggestion?

 

[mattc]

has your system ever been converted from R12 to R134a? if not that may be the reason as they will need to change the seals.

 

[Bosco]

I have no idea. How could check it out?

The guy who gave me the €230 price hasn't seen the car so he can't know either.

 

[Bosco]

Update

I found the information, there was a red tag with R12 on it.

The MB dealer nearby wouldn't touch it.
A local indy gave me a quote for a replacement kit and gassing for €1013.

I found a product on the web called Duracool marketed in France by Multitanks. It's a replacement gas call R12a which is an approved hydrocarbon rather than a banned fluorocarbon.

They sell a kit comprising of a good quality pressure gauge and two 170g cans of refrigerant gas for €79.

I just installed it, 15 minutes work, an absolute doddle. Only needed one can so I have a spare, now the a/c is working very well. Great cold air stream. I'm really pleased.

[YOUTUBE]c3dTSGXWI3U[/YOUTUBE]

I am not connected with the suppliers but I would heartily recommend the product for anybody with an older unmodified a/c system.

They also supply R134a gas for newer cars and the pressure gauge comes with an adapter to fit both valve types.

I'm calling this a win. :bannana:

 

[Buster'stheboy]

Has anybody used RS24 instead of converting their R12 system?

Thanks OP, I need to get something done about my aircon and keep putting it off. Will have a look at your link.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Has anybody used RS24 instead of converting their R12 system?

Thanks OP, I need to get something done about my aircon and keep putting it off. Will have a look at your link.

Thanks Bosco. My silver E300D doesnt get cool at all. My plan was to wait until Kwikfit offer their cheap regas deals in the summer, but i guess as the system is the older type they wont touch it.

I may just buy one of these kits. off to find a good supplier now

Thanks again!


EDIT: is this basically the same thing?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-AIR-C...ultDomain_3&hash=item5ad51a6cb7#ht_507wt_1271

(it appears the Duracool product isnt available from a UK distributor)

 

[stephen coy]

Thanks Bosco. My silver E300D doesnt get cool at all. My plan was to wait until Kwikfit offer their cheap regas deals in the summer, but i guess as the system is the older type they wont touch it.

I may just buy one of these kits. off to find a good supplier now

Thanks again!


EDIT: is this basically the same thing?

CAR AIR CON EAZY CONVERTER FROM R12 to R134a N022135B | eBay

(it appears the Duracool product isnt available from a UK distributor)

I've just ordered a kit from the multitanks link from Bosco's post.(payed with paypal)

I've chosen the kit which includes the moisture remover. Will report once i've received it and had a go at installing !

 

[SJX]

Answers, system upgrade explained and already covered here. Specifically post #20

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/133104-w124-my-air-con-valve.html

 

[SilverSaloon]

I've just ordered a kit from the multitanks link from Bosco's post.(payed with paypal)

I've chosen the kit which includes the moisture remover. Will report once i've received it and had a go at installing !

Let us know how it goes - how much did it come to including postage to the UK?

 

[stephen coy]

Let us know how it goes - how much did it come to including postage to the UK?

£126. Reading the links on other's experiences, it may not be a permanent solution. It'll be interesting if it gets the a/c up and running cold, also if it gets 2 summers or more out of the system.

 

[millo777]

@Silversaloon, both your w124s should be r134a. The switch from R12 to r134a was around 1991/2, so all facelift w124s should be on the newer ozone friendly refrigerant.

Check the service port on your car as there should be sticker somewhere showing which gas to use and how much.

 

[SJX]

Obviously its impossible to tell exactly what gas is in the system unless you have a chart calculator to plot its static (non-running) pressure to temperature. (Get chart calculator from an AC specialist/supplier) This is a very good guideline test to find as accuratley as possible what is in your system, but wont help if if there is a mix in there !

A quick glance at the ports (see pics) will indicate what connection type is fitted, (assuming again the gas that is inside actually relates to the expected gas fill!) the two port types should at least point you to what gas you should expect to have installed.

Top one - Expect R12

Bottom one - Expect R134a

Steve

 

[Bosco]

If anybody is unable to get the product posted to the UK I would be happy to receive it on your behalf at my address and post it on to you. The internal postage cost in France is €8. I'm not sure what the postage from here to the UK would work out as different kit options will obviously weigh differently. I can only guess that it would be about the same from the UK to here. Even factoring in the double postage it's not a bad option.

 

[stephen coy]

Let us know how it goes - how much did it come to including postage to the UK?

The kit arrived boxed up nicely with hose, pressure gauge, 2 cans of refrigerant and a can each of leak sealer and moisture remover.

A little alarmed to find the instuction sheet was in french. However, together with the u tube video and instructions on the cans in english, I decided to give it a go.

Found the system port next to the washer bottle in the engine bay. I then connected the hose/gauge to the port (push fit) after tightening the hose/gauge fittings (were assembled loose).

The pressure gauge came off the bottom but on green for low or no pressure really. I started the engine,set the a/c on with fan high.

I disconnected the hose fitting from the car's port and screwed the 1st refrigerant can on to the hose/gauge. Reconnected the hose to the car, screwed in the valve on the gauge to pierce the can and slowly unscrewed the valve.After a few minutes the gauge came into the blue zone which is meant to be recommended pressure according to the video.

I repeated the above with the sealer and moisture remover cans, the gauge pressure remaining little changed.

Well, the system is certainly blowing cold on A/C, which it was,nt before.The Duracool blurb reckons the molecules of the refigerant are larger to eliminate gas loss through the hose walls. Time will tell ! (still got the second refrigerant can, plus the hose kit of course)

 

[jaymanek]

I dont understand how it can work with 340g gas... for most mercedes models on R12 you need over 1kg of gas.

 

[hotrodder]

^^ I'm guessing it might be along the same lines as the 'ton of bricks versus ton of feathers' thing... While a ton is a ton they have very different densities and thus volume. Obviously with gases volume is a world away from being a fixed deal so measuring by mass makes more sense. The gas laws always give me a headache so i haven't bothered to google the properties of the different refrigerants

 

[jaymanek]

Seems all a bit hit and miss, wouldnt do it to my car.

 

[defector]

Just checked my w124 e300d - 1994, and it has a Mercedes sticker on the front panel which states R134a gas and even gives max weights for the gas and oil. I think that mine has original factory fit kit.

 

[BlueQuinn]

The kit arrived boxed up nicely with hose, pressure gauge, 2 cans of refrigerant and a can each of leak sealer and moisture remover.

A little alarmed to find the instuction sheet was in french. However, together with the u tube video and instructions on the cans in english, I decided to give it a go.

Found the system port next to the washer bottle in the engine bay. I then connected the hose/gauge to the port (push fit) after tightening the hose/gauge fittings (were assembled loose).

The pressure gauge came off the bottom but on green for low or no pressure really. I started the engine,set the a/c on with fan high.

I disconnected the hose fitting from the car's port and screwed the 1st refrigerant can on to the hose/gauge. Reconnected the hose to the car, screwed in the valve on the gauge to pierce the can and slowly unscrewed the valve.After a few minutes the gauge came into the blue zone which is meant to be recommended pressure according to the video.

I repeated the above with the sealer and moisture remover cans, the gauge pressure remaining little changed.

Well, the system is certainly blowing cold on A/C, which it was,nt before.The Duracool blurb reckons the molecules of the refigerant are larger to eliminate gas loss through the hose walls. Time will tell ! (still got the second refrigerant can, plus the hose kit of course)

Seeing as it's been nearly a year since you posted this, and I was thinking of trying the same approach, is the system still blowing cold air? Would you recommend Duracool?

My car stood barely used for 5 years or so, and during that time the aircon gas leaked out, and the seals dried up. If I can bring it back to life without an expensive rebuild then it's worth a go.

 

[bolide]

I dont understand how it can work with 340g gas... for most mercedes models on R12 you need over 1kg of gas.

I thought that as well - 170g? Most W124s use a 950 gram charge

Ask around to find a trade aircon guy. Aircon is not as complex as people make out and is usually not expensive

Most people now use an automated machine which pulls all the gas & oil out of the system and tests the system by leaving it under vacuum. If it leaks the machine won't refill it. If it holds vacuum under test it regasses the system (the weight of gas is programmed in by the operator) and adds the correct amount of lubricant & leak test dye if required

The DIY kits don't give the correct weight of gas, lubricant or dye and they don't remove old gas, moisture & contaminants. So, while your system may work for a while, you're probably reducing its lifespan

Nick Froome