Retro-fit air conditioning

[gdb]

The retro-fit Davia aircon system on my 1991 230TE automatic has given up the ghost - so two dealers tell me. I exported the car to France this year, and after much testing at a local aircon expert, an awful lot of Gallic shrugging and much time, they told me that the pipes had become porous, various bits were beyond repair, all the sad stuff.
Which is better than the London "expert" who refilled the system with gas and didn't answer the phone when it leaked out two days later. The French garage didn't charge at all for telling me it was beyond repair......!
So, I have to replace the system, and would appreciate advice from anyone who has had to have an aircon system replaced. The car will be brought back to the UK for the work to be done, I've had one quoteof £1550 +vat for a new Diavia system from a specialist in Surrey - but, if anyone can share their experience of having this work done, I would be most grateful.
And a happy New Year to you all.
GDB

 

[Bolide]

£1550 + VAT sounds about right. But I am not convinced that installing (or replacing) aircon on a car of that age & value is a wise move, financially

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[gdb]

The reason for keeping the car

I am very aware that the value of the car is almost certainly less than the cost of replacing the air conditioning.
However, the logic behind keeping a sixteen year-old car is this -
We have had the car for seven years, my wife uses it daily, it is in almost perfect condition;we bought it from a close friend who had loved and maintained it like a baby. He bought it at 10,000 miles, sold it to us when it had reached 105,000, it has just passed 158000 miles.
Three careful owners means the car has always been well mantined, and at this time of its life, it really shows.
It has electric everything, is quiet and economical, and, we have a local garage who loves older Mercedes and charges thirty-five pounds an hour.....
He also just replaced and sprayed to a perfect match the rusting front wings, for just under £500 - not too expensive I think.
It passed the French Mot test, the Controle Tecnique, first time, three weeks ago, starts every morning, costs little to run, and is a big, safe, comfortable car.
Living in France is different to just visiting, the biggest and almost only problem is the way the French drive. I have lived and worked in Romania, Slovakia and Indonesia, and worked for long periods all over Europe, have seen some spectacular examples of deathwish driving, and I have no hesitation in telling you that the French are the very worst drivers in the world. They have slowed down a little following the recent introduction of new draconian driving laws, and police on every corner with radar traps and lots of spot checks, but given a chance they drive like there is no tomorrow.

We decided that for the short journeys the car makes, the Mercedes was the best option. Spending £1550 on a new air conditioner is a small price to pay for the safety and continuing pleasure of driving a delightful car.
We did try and look at a French car, but made the mistake of visting a major car showroom at 11.40, when everyone is putting on their coat to head off for a two hour lunch, and we had become invisible.
We like France a lot, but there are some fundamental differences, and the two hour lunch is one of them.

I rest my case.
GDB

 

[Andy Wr]

My answer is still the same as the last time you asked for advice.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23094

Hoses and condenser coils can be manufactured no problem at all using the old parts as pattens.

 

[gdb]

Thank you

For some reason I didnt ever see your response - most grateful, many thanks, I'll certainly contact Go Cool.
GDB

 

[Bolide]

I suspect you won't need everything replacing. If you save some of that £1500 I'd suggest doing a few other things to keep the old girl happy

Replacing the front ARB bushes, balljoints & springs is a good idea. The bushes & balljoints will fail at some point and the springs tend to break. New front ARB bushes make the car a lot nicer to drive

I find that as the cars get older the silvering disappears from the headlight reflectors and the headlights - not good at the best of times - go very dim. It's worth getting a good set of lights from a breaker. You'll need pre-facelift lights

Whilst you're checking the car for rust have good look in the engine compartment behind the headlights, under the expansion bottle and under the battery tray. It's quite common to get rust starting in these places. Also check under the rear windows in the load area

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[robinlouvel@yahoo.co.uk]

retrofit air conditioning

you could try Garry on 07899875811. he is a mobile fitter for many makes.
He was able to undercut the fridge firm i was working with. They checked his work for me and all ok still spot on 2 years later. fitted to a sprinter for under £1000
robin