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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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