I tried charging the AC with one of those $30 kits from Autozone. (the kit worked great on my 91 Aerostar beater van by the way) I had 2 cans left after topping off the van, and thought i'd try charging the AC in the 89 740GL. After most of the first can was in, the AC clicked on a couple times, but the whole time I was putting refrigerant in, there was a hissing sound from the drivers side, near the headlight. Pretty fast hiss too. lots of refrigerant escaping.

Is there a common problem area back there? I'm assuming it's the evaporator, or a hose leading to it. Maybe it was a bit lower than the headlight, but it was in that area.

There's an AC-Radiator shop in the city that patched the radiator in my old Mercedes for $40. I could take it there for evaluation I suppose.

Any advise, similar stories, etc.. appreciated.

-Rob