Hi.

I have a 1992 240 GL Sedan with about 200,000 miles on it. It was converted to R132a at some point. I bought it used in the fall and have discovered an AC issue. I had an AC service done at my local garage. At first they didn't find anything and loaded it up with dye and instructions to come back in a week. With COVID and all I didn't drive it for about a week. Then I took it for a test drive on the first hot day. It worked at first but as soon as I got going on the highway it stopped working. I brought it back to the garage and they found leaks in the condenser and the compressor. They said that I should replace everything outside of the firewall, showing me rusty fittings that they said could be an issue when we try to reassemble everything. They're willing to let me do the work and they will handle the freon/vaccum/pressure test/etc since I don't have any HVAC tools. My question to you is: do I really need to replace everything? If so, I need to get a list of parts and somewhere to buy them, so any advice on that would be appreciated. I have ordered from FCP Euro in the past and I see they have a few but not all items, so do dealers selling OEM parts, but I think there may be some gaps I need to fill once I'm clear on what exactly I need to get.

Thanks for your help!
Aaron
Glen Echo, Maryland

 

usually the biggest challenge when converting to R132a is that the molecules are smaller than R12 freon so without new o-rings and components (like the compressor) designed for R132 you'll get some leaks. When it was converted did they install a newer model compressor? (you may need to check the part number). Typically the conversion service would include replacing the orifice and expansion valves and the accumulator/dryer as well as any accessible O rings. I guess the key question is how would you independently test the condensor and compressor or are you just going to do the full rebuild - lines etc.

https://www.tascaparts.com/auto-part...and-lines-scat gives a picture of the orginal parts and check out https://www.ackits.com/?route=produc...01_32813_11921 who sell conversion kits.

 

They showed me the dye leaking out of the compressor and condenser, so it's clear that those need to be replaced. The question I have is whether I need to replace everything else outside of the firewall.

 

any time the AC system is opened up, they recommend replacing the dryer/reciever...