Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 15:21:15 -0400
Reply-To: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: AC Service Prior to Pressure
Hello, the practical way to go is 134a.Keep in mind that an unused
compressor most likely has devoloped a shaft seal leak of about 1 pound of
freon/year,or more.Replacing the seal is not easily , nor cheaply
done.Better to leak 134a than R-12 this rate.Secondly, your expansion valve
is probably bad too,and is usually replaced along with the compressor and
reciever-dryer, no matter which refrigerant you eventually decide to
use.....So, you can go 134a and keep your leaky compressor at a much
cheaper cost.Expasnsion valve best be replaced for most efficenct system
anyway for 134a.Use ester oil, but flush your system of old mineral oil
first.To do this, use a flush gun (A/C SOURCE.COM)and 2 gallons of mineral
sporits.R-12 on ebay is going for about $20/12oz. can.134a goes at flaps
for about $8/can.You need 4 of these.O-rings can be bought at napa.Best
price on a sanden 508 compressor is bus depot($295.00)Rent a vaccum
pump.Keep it on till you have used up your 1 day rental costs.Empty your
compressor and fill with 8 ounces of ester oil and then add 1 ounce to the
suction port on the rear of the compressor.Put 2 ounces of oil into the
inlet of the evaporater. 2 ounces into the condenser. 1 ounce into the r-
dryer.2 ounces into the discharge hose from the compressor.16 total
ounces.Possiably get 1 can of refrigerant with a leak detector dye in
it.Use a white towel to rub each connection after filling your system of
refrigerant.If you see the dye on the nice clean towel , you have a leak.
Try tightening the connection a tad. Not too much!If you have a westy , the
work needed is double,as the cabinet W/ the evaperator should be taken down
and the guts cleaned up.Try to reuse the asphalt goop that is on the
expansion valve.You can get a good temp/pressure chart at
www.freeze12.com.Look around the archives and you can get the lowdown for
charging with 134a.Not really that hard a process.Finally, beware that this
system has no low pressure cut off switch.When the refrigerant has mostly
leaked out of a system with a switch , the compressor wont turn on.The
vanagon system will,nd all the oil will leave the compressor.The very first
thing I would do in your situation is to open the oilplug in the compressor
and drain out the oil. Measure it.Of 2 vanagon compressors that I have done
this to , I have measured a total of 1 ounce of oil!One compressor was
making a racket and the other sounded ok.I ditched this compressor anyway
cause why go through allthe work and expense only to find that under load,
this oil less compressor is bad?If your campressor islike this, better
consider getting a new one.Then , at this point, consider if you want to go
R-12 or 134a.At this point the price differance is small.
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