My dad is on his way down to visit and he's got a '99 E320 (W210) with a leaky AC compressor at the shaft seal. I've got the compressor seals and shaft seal along with the shaft seal installation cone/tool. I purchased these from centuryautoair.com - I also purchased similar kits for my '87 300D compressor from them and successfully resealed it earlier this year.

My dad doesn't have the FSM and I haven't been able to find a DIY to R&R the compressor. I haven't seen it yet so perhaps it's straightforward. I'd like to see the procedure, though - if someone could post it I'd appreciate it. In particular, I'm curious as to other components that would need to be removed (radiator, PS pump, etc.?), whether it comes out the top or bottom, and size/type of bolt heads. I'll also need the torques for compressor bolts (to the engine) and suction/pressure hose bolts, qty of oil that needs to be added for the various AC component replacements, type of oil (PAG 46, I believe I read somewhere), and the qty. of R134A. These last two might be on the sticker under the hood - I haven't seen the car yet.

We'll be getting the FSM in advance of the next job but not time to do it for the project this weekend. If there are multiple options for the FSM for this model/year, I'd appreciate recommendations for that also.

Thanks in advance if anyone has this info handy and/or any tips for the job.

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Chris_87_300D
1987 300D - 415,000+ miles
1999 E320 - 220,000+ miles
2008 SL55
2019 Sprinter Diesel 4x4

IIRC there are four 13 mm fasteners holding the compressor on. The fastener holding the hose assembly to the compressor should be an allen head type. You should be able to remove these and drop the compressor out the bottom. Again, IIRC you will need to remove the fan shroud. Don't remember if you have to remove the radiator or not but it will make the job easier. The capacity for the freon should be on a label under the hood somewhere. Not sure why you need oil capacities for the variuos components if you are just going to change the compressor seal.

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Jim

Thanks, Jim. 13mm bolts should be torqued around 23-25 Nm I think.

I was wondering how much oil to put in the compressor before I put it back in but I suppose I should try to drain it and then put that much plus another 20 cc or so of fresh oil to cover what may have leaked out the seal. How much leaked out is a guessing game.

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Chris_87_300D
1987 300D - 415,000+ miles
1999 E320 - 220,000+ miles
2008 SL55
2019 Sprinter Diesel 4x4

If someone has been adding refrigerant to keep the a/c going over a period of time then the system will be missing some oil. As you said it is a guessing game unless you flush the system out and start from scratch. You will probably be ok doing it the way you mentioned where you pour out what is in there, measure it and fill it with that amount plus some.

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Jim

Just to complete the thread for the next guy...

Search the web for: AR83.55-P-5300F or "Replacing the AC compressor.pdf" (w/ quotes)

AR83.55-P-5300F
Removing and installing A/C compressor
Filename: Replacing the AC compressor.pdf

ENGINE 104, 111, 112, 113, 602, 604, 605, 606, 611.961 in MODEL 210
with CODE (580) Air conditioning or Tempmatic for USA
with CODE (581a) Air conditioning (Automatic)

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Chris_87_300D
1987 300D - 415,000+ miles
1999 E320 - 220,000+ miles
2008 SL55
2019 Sprinter Diesel 4x4

For oil capacities depending upon the parts replaced (Denso 7SB16 compressor for 163, 202, 208, 210, 215 and 220), search for:

how-repair-ac-system-compressor-oil-capacity-more.pdf

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Chris_87_300D
1987 300D - 415,000+ miles
1999 E320 - 220,000+ miles
2008 SL55
2019 Sprinter Diesel 4x4