300TE Retro fit A/C?

[mike4444244]

hi,
Does anyone know if its possible to retrofit air con and cruise control to a 300TE? If it is possible then is it feasible? I am mechanically very competent but regularly electrocute myself trying to do the simplest wiring tasks! Has anyone actually done this themselves? finally if its possible how much would i be looking at for the necessary bits?
ta
Mike

 

[Bolide]

Retrofit aircon

It's possible to retrofit aircon but it's so expensive (£1700-odd) I don't recommend it. Aircon cars have a bigger rad & cooling slots in the front bumper so converted cars will tend to overheat unless these are changed, particularly if they're 300TEs which always seem to run hot

I can't think of a convincing reason to do it, sorry!

Cruise is another matter - bits are available off eBay or via breakers and AFAIK it's reasonably straightorward to fit so long as you have all the parts. The cowl moulding behind the steering wheel is different and the wheel may be too - two gotchas to think about


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[mike4444244]

hi
i was thinking of finding a car with a/c in a scrappy or being broken and getting the bits off that, presumably its just a case of fitting all the bits that are different and wiring it in and getting it charged up?
thanks for info though
mike

 

[mike4444244]

anyone else had any thoughts?
mike

 

[television]

anyone else had any thoughts?
mike

If you do it it would be easier to do Air Con than climate control. if you buy a car and dismanle all components must be sealed during the transfer.

malcolm

 

[Richard Moakes]

I have done exactly this between two Opel Monza's, don't laugh, I used to think they were decent cars.

Malcom is right, cleanliness is essential, and so is a lack of squeamishness about cutting large holes in your car and removing the dash etc...

I did the interior works one weekend, and all the engine works the next, having a donor car for brackets, wiring, new crank pulley etc.. was essential. I had to cut a huge hole through the bulkhead for the different airbox and weld up the original hole for the airbox fan unit which was originally fitted.

Would I do it again? No! I would buy another car with aircon already fitted.

Unless you can get the donor car degassed properly, you will be breaking the law by venting refrigerant to atmosphere when you open up the system. When everything has been refitted, it will need flushing, pressure testing with oxygen free nitrogen, a vacuum applied to remove any residual moisture, appropriate oil added, and then regassed with R134a. Don't even think of trying to move an R12 system these days, the gas is so expensive/unavailable and alternatives such as R406a are not really suitable for automotive use.

Good Luck if you decide to have a go, it's an adventure, but I still say get a car with it already fitted.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[mike4444244]

hmmm ok forget that its in far too good nick to go chopping about! thanks for the info though, any thoughts on cruise control cos the 230TE has it and my dad misses it on the 300TE!
mike

 

[Richard Moakes]

Original Mercedes tempomat would be nice for originality, but you have to get the right coding plug for the control module, and rumour has it the control modules get old and temperamental.

How about something like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WAECO-automat...033633720QQcategoryZ15329QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers,

Richard