Date: Fri, 13 May 2005 23:31:14 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject: Re: AC Service Prior to Pressure
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hi Robert,
I don't want to waste much more of everybody's time on this; basically at
this point I think you must've misread or read something into my posts to
this thread that isn't there, specifically, some mention on my part of where
the service ports are on the Vanagon A/C system.
The thread has 18 posts in it now not including this one; you can start from
the beginning in the archives here, if you care to:
http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0505b&L=vanagon&D=0&P=28118
If you will read the thread carefully you will note that at no time did I
ever refer to the service ports or their locations. In fact, not to put too
fine a point on it, nobody mentioned them at all until you did- in your post
after telling me that I had things backwards and I was going to get somebody's
hands blown off. The only advice on recharging port locations, as you put
it, in this thread is yours.
You then wrote:
"Please don't read and post info verbatim out of a book. It lacks practical
experience, and your going to hurt somebody ( or their Van ) with your lack
of hands on time."
First of all, that was a brief overall description (without specifics) of
the type of system these vans use, from a training manual- a textbook for
A/C technicians. If that kind of information is to be considered dangerous
and therefore forbidden, we might as well just vacate this list and forget
the whole thing. You might note that there was nothing about the service
ports in those passages.
As for the rest of it, the whole point of my original post was to point out
to folks that might not know that the diagram in the Bentley on 87.2 in some
editions was mislabeled as to the high and low pressure lines- so hopefully
somebody wouldn't hurt themselves. My follow-up post was to point out that
some people may have the corrected later edition(s) and that if they weren't
sure they should confirm the accuracy of their diagram by comparing it the
design. I'm willing to go with the idea that most of the people that read
these posts are either going to have the wherewithal to understand these
things or they'll have the sense to realize they don't and go pay a
professional. Again, if that isn't the case, we might as well shut down the
list before we all wind up in Tort Court over brake upgrades, engine
transplants and upholstery cleaning techniques.
You also wrote:
"The theory is correct."
That's what I said.
And:
"The port's location is wrong in this application ."
Actually, it isn't- seeing as you're the only one that addressed that
subject and you pretty much nailed it. I will indulge myself in a little
nit-picking here, however; you've twice said that "In a late model Vanagon
the suction port is on the back side of the compressor", or, "the low
pressure port is on the back of the compressor". In the interest of
accuracy, and for the sake of anyone who is reading this thread that just
hasn't seen the layout for themselves, I will say that the port isn't
attached to the back side of the compressor itself, but it is rather in the
line several inches from where the line connects to the compressor. I will
further qualify that by saying that's how it is on my '87, anyway. Of
course, what we're calling the 'back side' of the compressor is, well, the
forward end, relative to the van.
And you wrote:
"And allow me to tell you this.
Hooking up a 1 lbs. can of freon to the high side of any AC system with
pressure on it, and opening up the valve of the manifold--will cause a
big bang.
Don't do it."
That's basically the point I was trying to make all along.
So hopefully someone that's been following this thread is now aware of:
The need to check the diagram in the Bentley to see if your edition is
properly labeled or not;
The basic theory and layout of the A/C systems of Vanagons;
The proper locations of the respective service ports;
Some opinions regarding conversion to R-134a and sticking with R-12;
Some basic service techniques that apply to both refrigerants;
Some techniques and specifics regarding R-134a conversions;
And,
Some safety concerns regarding handling and use of canned refrigerant.
Hopefully all of that will be of use to somebody.
'Nuff said.
Cya,
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Cardo" <rrecardo@WEBTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: AC Service Prior to Pressure
> You didn't mention you had a VW Vanagon AC service manual in front of
> you Robert.
> Which I think you may need, prior to advising recharging port locations.
>
>
> The generic manual will causally describe
> the usual location of the high and low side charging ports.
> Which in most non-import vehicles this is correct, as you described.
>
> However.
>
> In a late model Vanagon the suction port is on the back side of the
> compressor, the high side is behind the L/H rear plastic panel right
> along side the high and low pressure shut off switches, and the AC
> relay's.
>
> Please don't read and post info verbatim out of a book.
> It lacks practical experience, and your going to hurt somebody ( or
> their Van ) with your lack of hands on time.
>
> And I am not trying to belittle you.
> A generic one size does all AC manual has no clue what or how a Vanagon
> AC system is set up.
>
> The theory is correct.
>
> The port's location is wrong in this application .
>
> And allow me to tell you this.
>
> Hooking up a 1 lbs. can of freon to the high side of any AC system with
> pressure on it, and opening up the valve of the manifold--will cause a
> big bang.
>
> Don't do it.
>
> RC
>
>
>
> <<I don't see how I got anything backwards, never mind saying anything
> that "could lead to a guy blowing his hands off, with shrapnel when
> charging the AC system."
> Cya,
> Robert>>
