Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 14:11:47 -0500
Reply-To: Michael Knight <vwdormer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Knight <vwdormer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: A/C Work Done but Failed. Long Version
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I replaced the drier, expansion valve, all orings, flushed the system with
mineral spirits and A/C Flush from the flaps, vacuum by pump overnight, new
PAG oil added to compressor and various other places.
The vacuum held and never dropped after turning off the vacuum. I added the
R134a after getting the pressure up, on the R134a scale on the guages, the
cool breezes were a blowing. Nice. All day long on Saturday the A/C was
nice. I put the A/C in at about 9:30 am. Then at about the same time Sunday
morning the air was not as cold. The more it ran the worse it was. After a
10 minute ride to the store and back, I open the hatch....
Refridgerant discharge criminal activity. My system was illegaly evacuating
the R134a into the atmosphere. First it was coming from the front of the
compressor. I figured no big deal now that was about the only mechanical
part of the system not replaced. Get a new compressor.
Now this is the part that was wierd. My neighbor came over to see how it
went. When I went to show him I was seeing the refridgerant/oil mixture
bubbling out of the shrader valves. I thought it was strange and as I was
searching for a compressor later I bought some new valves and replaced the
old ones with new.
I never added a Retro Kit to the valves. The screw on fittings and caps. Are
these needed when converting? Or will the old valves work as long as you can
attach the hose to them.
Back to the search for compressor. They are available from the FLAPS. But
make sure they order the correct one. Most carry the same number #57594 no
matter what the brand they say it is. But looking through the Sanden website
was the most helpful in arming myself with info to manipulate the FLAPS to
find the correct compressor rather than what was listed for my 85.
(#57113)This was actually the compressor for another VW, a Golf.
Sanden still makes the SD5 series compressor. But they make an improved for
R134a compressor as well. Instead of the SD508 #9279, it will be an SD5H14
#4513.
The new compressor should be in tomorrow and I will post my findings after
it is installed and I cool off a bit.
Michael Knight
'77 Westy Deluxe, "el Verde"
'85 Vanagon GL, nameless
http://photos.yahoo.com/electrictrain@sbcglobal.net
